Legendary Hotelie Richard (Dick) Copeland Nelson ’57 passed on November 22, 2021 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Dick had a long and impactful career in the hospitality industry. After graduating Cornell Dick worked with Hilton where he spent 15 years in management positions around the country. He departed Hilton as General Manager of the Statler Hilton (Capital Hilton) in Washington, DC. He joined Hyatt in 1972 to become the first GM of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston. He retired in 1996 as Vice President / Management Director of the Grand Hyatt Washington, a 900-room property he opened in 1987.
After leaving the industry, Dick returned to Ithaca to serve as Executive in Residence. During the Spring of 1997, Dick counseled graduate students.
In 1997, Dick also began his term as Global President of the Cornell Hotel Society. During his tenure as CHS President, Dick coordinated Hotel School 75th anniversary celebrations around the world.
Dick shared his knowledge and passion for the industry by serving Chairman of the Board of the American Hotel and Lodging Association in 1991. He also held leadership positions within the DC Hotel & Motel Association, DC Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute.
Dick is survived by his wife, and omnipresent CHS event companion, Stella Guerra Nelson, two sisters-in-laws, and multiple nieces and nephews.
To honor Dick, CHS encourages donations be made to the Richard C. and Stella G. Nelson Scholarship which was established by Dick and Stella in 2010. Income from this fund provides undergraduate scholarship support for Hispanic American students with an interest in hotel operations enrolled in the Hotel School. Information on donating can be found on the following website:
https://sha.cornell.edu/alumni/giving/existing-funds/scholarships/
“Conversations with Alumni” – Joyce Ke ’10
/in Conversations/by Susan BoyleSpecial Collegiate Chapter Video Series
Currently an Area Manager at WeWork, Joyce Ke has had extended experience with in real estate private equity, asset management, and acquisitions. Watch the videos to hear her more about her experiences in the industry.
Click here to watch videos
“Conversations with Alumni” – Jess Pettit ’05
/in Conversations/by Susan BoyleSpecial Collegiate Chapter Video Series
Currently a Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Insights & Analytics at Hilton, Jess Pettit has had extended experience with data analytics in the hotel industry. Watch the videos to hear him speak more about his experiences in the industry.
Click here to see video interview
Richard Nelson ‘57
/in In Memoriam/by Robert MandelbaumLegendary Hotelie Richard (Dick) Copeland Nelson ’57 passed on November 22, 2021 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Dick had a long and impactful career in the hospitality industry. After graduating Cornell Dick worked with Hilton where he spent 15 years in management positions around the country. He departed Hilton as General Manager of the Statler Hilton (Capital Hilton) in Washington, DC. He joined Hyatt in 1972 to become the first GM of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston. He retired in 1996 as Vice President / Management Director of the Grand Hyatt Washington, a 900-room property he opened in 1987.
After leaving the industry, Dick returned to Ithaca to serve as Executive in Residence. During the Spring of 1997, Dick counseled graduate students.
In 1997, Dick also began his term as Global President of the Cornell Hotel Society. During his tenure as CHS President, Dick coordinated Hotel School 75th anniversary celebrations around the world.
Dick shared his knowledge and passion for the industry by serving Chairman of the Board of the American Hotel and Lodging Association in 1991. He also held leadership positions within the DC Hotel & Motel Association, DC Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute.
Dick is survived by his wife, and omnipresent CHS event companion, Stella Guerra Nelson, two sisters-in-laws, and multiple nieces and nephews.
To honor Dick, CHS encourages donations be made to the Richard C. and Stella G. Nelson Scholarship which was established by Dick and Stella in 2010. Income from this fund provides undergraduate scholarship support for Hispanic American students with an interest in hotel operations enrolled in the Hotel School. Information on donating can be found on the following website:
https://sha.cornell.edu/alumni/giving/existing-funds/scholarships/
Happy Hour – 2021 CHS Annual General Meeting
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS New York City Chapter had a great CHS/CHS_NYC HH after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday Nov 15th! The AGM was held at the Cornell Club of New York, followed by a Happy Hour at the Marlin Bar at Tommy Bahama. Happy 90th birthday to Rocco Angelo ’58. Thanks to all who joined us, and to Joe Lavin for his hospitality!
2021 SHA/MMH Hotelie Weekend
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS New York City Chapter had a great SHA/MMH Hotelie Weekend Happy Hour at Arlo Nomad on Friday November 12, 2021.
CHS New York Happy Hour
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS New York City Chapter had a great Happy Hour at Clinton Hall, near POD 51 Hotel on Monday Nov 8th. Thanks to all who joined us and to Clinton Hall team for their hospitality!
Hotelie Zinck’s Night
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS New York City Chapter had a great “Hotelie Zinck’s Night and Welcome to Recent Alumni” at NYC’s newest hotel, The Graduate Roosevelt Island on Thursday Oct 21. It was held at the Panorama Room Rooftop, with amazing views of NYC. Thanks to all who joined us and to The Panorama Room team for their hospitality!
Historic $50 Million Gift From Alumni Peter J. Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, and Stephanie Nolan ’84.
/in Uncategorized/by Robert MandelbaumPlease see the letter below from Dean Walsh regarding the $50 million gift from alumni Peter J. Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, and Stephanie Nolan ’84, and renaming of the school to the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
Dear SHA alumni, parents, and friends:
I am so excited to share with you President Pollack’s wonderful news that today we unveiled the naming of our school—the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. This is a truly historic moment for our school, especially as we prepare to celebrate a century of educating the next generation of hospitality leaders.
The $50 million naming gift will directly impact our students, our Hotelies who put “Life is Service” at the heart of everything they do. This generous gift will enable us to provide our students with the support they need to experience our world-class education, as they learn how to become impactful leaders who will one day make the world a better place.
Please join me in thanking Peter Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, a graduate of both the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, and Stephanie Nolan ’84, a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration, for their historic gift. As we continue to shape our school’s legacy and impact into our next century, I am so excited for what lies ahead.
Sincerely,
Kate Walsh
Dean and E.M. Statler Professor
Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
Hotelies Gather in Zagreb
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS AlpAdria and Eastern Europe Chapter held their third annual breakfast for current and future Hotelies attending the Adria Hotel Forum 2021 in Zagreb. The event was held on September 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Second Annual Berlin Lodging Outlook
/in Uncategorized/by Robert MandelbaumOn Friday, August 27, 2021, the CHS Germany chapter hosted its second annual Berlin Lodging Outlook. The theme for this year’s seminar was “What Does the Future of the Hotel Industry Look Like?” The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. CHS Germany Chapter President, Gabriele Maessen, served as moderator for the event and provided welcome comments.
The following presentations were given by industry experts:
Current State of the Hotel Market
Importance of Forward-Looking Data for Dynamic Pricing After the Pandemic
Which System Takes on the Role of the Property Management System?
The HR Disaster in the Hotel Industry! How do we Manage to Inspire Young and Old for the Industry and Keep it Sustainable?
Resources of the Future – What can the Younger Generation Expect and What are Motivational Factors?