As the refugee crisis is rampant in the world, one College and community step up to welcome and train refugees
The innovating work happening inside the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management is being recognized on an international level. The faculty at the Fritz Knoebel School at the University of Denver received the prestigious McCool Breakthrough Award from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) during its annual meeting in Dallas July 22.
The Fritz Knoebel team at the Daniels College of Business received the award for their Commercial Food and Safety Service Training Program, a cross-course, collaborative service learning initiative in which students learn how to hire and manage talented employees, and refugees learn the culinary skills needed to work in restaurants and hotels.
“I am so proud of our team for earning the McCool Award,” said David Corsun, director and associate professor of Fritz Knoebel. “The partnership with the African Community Center (ACC) and how we implement the program by breaking down traditional course silos are extraordinary. The program better prepares our students by creating the kind of organizational complexity students will experience in the workplace after graduation.”
The McCool Breakthrough Award is given only to individuals and organizations making significant breakthroughs, innovating such that a demonstrable, significant improvement in teaching, learning or operations occurred. It honors the spirit of former astronaut Willie McCool, who lost his life in the in the Space Shuttle Columbia mission in 2003. McCool was the son of Audrey and Barry McCool, both hospitality educators.
ICHRIE is the professional organization for hospitality educators throughout the world. Its annual meeting is the most widely attended professional conference for hospitality faculty.
Learn more about the Commercial Food Safety Service Program: