O'Halloran Reflects on Spring 2019 SHL Graduation

On May 4, 2019, the School of Hospitality Leadership (SHL) held its Spring 2019 Graduate Recognition Ceremony in Brody Auditorium on the ECU Campus.

Attended by eager graduates, happy parents, family and friends, and proud faculty, the ceremony included remarks from SHL Director Dr. Bob O’Halloran; an address from the Outstanding SHL Senior Katie Thompson; and Inez Ribustello, owner and operator of Wine and Dining, LLC, which includes On the Square Restaurant in Tarboro, North Carolina and the Tarboro Brewing Company, which has locations in Tarboro and Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

More than 50 graduates participated in the ceremony. About the graduates, O’Halloran said, “they have been recruited aggressively, and the SHL placement rate continues to be 100 percent. We’ve graduated the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders!”

The new SHL graduates have found jobs in more than twelve states – some of which include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. While most of our students are staying in North Carolina, the demand for ECU SHL graduates is literally from coast to coast.

“Our graduates are being placed in management positions in lodging, club management, food and beverage businesses; sales positions in allied industries; recruiting organizations; community marketing and more,” said O’Halloran. “They are the best advertisement for our program and are well prepared to hit the ground running in their new positions. The growth and continued success of our career fair and internship program is a testament to that.”

“Some of our talented people found opportunities outside of North Carolina and for that we’re excited for them. We’ll always welcome them back with open arms if they decided to return to North Carolina. Wherever they may land, we’re sure they will be successful Pirates.”