Hospitality and Restaurant Administration
The Hospitality & Restaurant Administration (HRA) department at Missouri State is a management program that provides training for career opportunities in hotel, restaurant, resort, casino, hotel sales, institutional foodservice, special events and catering. The service industry continues to be one of the fastest growing industries in the United States; and careers are abundant and in demand for ambitious, skilled graduates.
Many employers use college internship programs to assist in selecting future managers for their facilities. HRA students are required to complete two paid internship experiences for a total of nine credit hours.
Each semester the HRA program holds a “Salute to Recruiters” career fair. National corporations come to campus to make presentations and interview students for internships and career opportunities after graduation.
Senior level students interested in restaurant management have the unique opportunity of working in “Carrie’s”, the HRA student-run restaurant, which is open to the campus and community during the school year.
Mr. John Q. Hammons Delivers Keynote for 2007 Salute To Recruiters |
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Mr. Hammons, 88 years old, is the chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. He owns more than 60 hotels in over 20 states. Springfield, Missouri's Mr. John Q. Hammons, 2003 HOTELS' Magazine Corporate Hotelier of the World, delivered the keynote speech for the 2007 Salute to Recruiters. Mr. Hammons informed Missouri State University HRA students, faculty and guests of how he started from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful hoteliers in the world. |
Gordon Elliott Speaks to HRA Marketing Class |
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Gordon Elliott, CPA
President and CEO Elliott Lodging
On December 10, 2007 Mr. Gordon Elliott was a guest speaker in the MSU HRA Department’s marketing class.
Elliott Lodging is a hospitality and property management company that has been serving the Southwest Missouri area for over twenty years. In the Springfield market Elliott Lodging is comprised of the following companies: Arbor Suites at the Mall, Baymont Inn, Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven, Best Western Coach House Inn and Suites, Candlewood Suites, Econo Lodge, Lamplighter South, Lamplighter North Convention Center and Eagle's Lodge. In the Branson market Mr. Elliott owns and operates the Best Western Landing View and Eagle’s Lodge. In the Joplin market the Baymont Inn, Best Western Oasis and Candlewood Suites.
Mr. Elliott is a 1965 graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a B.S. in Accounting (now MSU and still a Bear). He also serves as a member of the MSU Board of Governors.
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Abbe Ehlers 2007 Restaurateur of the Year
Missouri Restaurant Association –
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Abbe Ehlers, Instructor in the Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Department since 1990, was recently chosen as the 2007 Restaurateur of the Year. Mrs. Ehlers was chosen from a pool of some of the finest restaurateurs in the state based on her leadership and contributions to the industry. Among her many contributions, Abbe has been an instructor in the popular HRA student operated restaurant - Carrie’s, which is operated on the fourth floor of the Professional Building.
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