J&W Charlotte : The Scoop

Top Stories: May 7, 2008

Meals for the Homeless Students from Chefs Don Brizes and Frances Burnett's classes prepared a spaghetti dinner and dessert for more than 200 women and children at The Salvation Army's Center of Hope. The largest shelter in the southeast dedicated to providing a safe haven and meals to homeless women and their children, the Center of Hope serves some of the neediest in Charlotte. The meal was prepared on campus and then served to the shelter residents as part of the American Culinary Federation's (ACF) First Monday program, which arranges for chefs from various organizations and restaurants to prepare and serve dinner to the shelter's residents on the first Monday of each month. Earlier in the year, Chef Brizes coordinated the First Monday meal in December. Are you and/or your students doing any good deeds out in the community? If so, please remember it is important that you email the details of your activities to bernice.parenti@jwu.edu.

JWU High School Chef of the Year East Meck High School student Luis Rojas, was named the JWU National High School Chef of the Year. He won an $80,000 scholarship and will attend the Charlotte Campus next fall. For more on Rojas and a recent WBTV interview, see the WBTV noon news link on the right hand side of this page.

International Food Service Executives Association A dozen hospitality and culinary students, along with two faculty advisors, attended the 2008 IFSEA International conference in Denver. 10 students were able to attain certifications either as Master Certified Food Executive (MCFE), IFSEA's highest food service certification, or Certified Food Executive (CFE). The students had the opportunity to meet Chef Robert Irvine from the "Food Network" and talk with him about his latest books and adventures from the TV show. The group was later asked to host a hospitality suite after one of the evening dinners. They earned $1,000 for their efforts while having fun teaching others new dance steps. (As organizers for this after party, the students taught the group some current new dance steps and encouraged others to get up and dance. Their energy was so evident and awesome, International awarded the students $500 for the best after party for the conference.) Congratulations to Blair Cannon, a freshman culinary arts student, who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be used for his next academic year tuition.

FSM 4060 Check out the FSM hotel students who are graduating in May. This was their first time in the kitchen. Despite hamming it up in the kitchen, associate professor Sarah Malik says they were nervous!

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) The JWU RAK club volunteered their time at a Concord, N.C. shelter called Kreitzer's Critter Corral, Puppy Rescue. The non-profit charitable organization specializes in orphaned/infant puppies that need to be bottle fed, as well as pregnant dogs and moms with new babies. Our JWU students also donated supplies.

Commencement 2008 Pre-ordered caps and gowns have arrived at The Village Bookstore. You may pick them up during normal business hours from now - May 16. The bookstore will extend its hours on Friday, May 16, until 7 p.m. Bring your photo ID.

Graduation: Saturday, May 17, Charlotte Bobcats Arena, 10 a.m. The arena opens at 9 a.m. Graduates must start lining up at 9 a.m.

After graduation: Alumni have the opportunity to advance in character development by preserving their relationships with their Alma Mater. Please register on the alumni website. Once you have registered you will begin to receive the alumni magazine, e-mails, newsletters and event invitations.

Study Abroad Philip (Felipe) Smith, Bennisford (Benni) McKay and Jason Clark are studying Spanish at a language school in Sevilla, Spain. They are all participating in the JWU Language & Cultural Immersion program. All three students lived with different host families. They say it proved to be both challenging and rewarding. Jason said "Adapting to a different culture, as well as trying to communicate, had its challenges, but it is the best way to learn a new language and life long lessons... Traveling to these different cities has been a great experience and forces us to utilize the language... I feel that this study abroad is necessary for my development into becoming a well rounded hotel manager." The three will graduate May 17 from The Hospitality College.

Co-Op News The Hospitality College is sharing pictures of Kailie Bennett on her Co-Op. Kailie is at the Four Seasons Atlanta.
Kailie says, "I have toured through the entire hotel, spending two days in each department and then three days in my "home" at the restaurant Park 75. The focus of this part of the program is introduction and building of relationships and knowing who to call when you need to."

Toastmasters News Student Heather Oakley successfully earned the the Toastmasters International Competent Communicator Certification. She is the first student on campus to achieve this designation. Heather says, "I believe that I have tremendously improved my public speaking and communication skills in giving prepared speeches but also in my day-to-day conversations. I know that being able to effectively communicate is one of the most important skills necessary to be successful in your future career and I am being proactive to ensure I am as well prepared as possible."

IMA News Congratulations to CoB student Adrianne Simms, the Charlotte Institute of Management Accountants 2007-2008 Student Scholarship Award winner. Adrianne is a freshman accounting major with a financial service concentration. Her outstanding academic work and dedication to the accounting field is what earned her the scholarship.

Culinary Congrats! T.A. Ben Shelton took a bronze medal and 3rd place overall at the ACF Greater Atlanta Dessert Expo Competition in April. Ben competed at the professional level, P3 Cake Decorating, and was one of only three medallists (nine competitors entered). Ben finished behind Susan Notter (2nd place, gold medal), a member of the 2000 National Culinary Team and winner of seven international gold medals in pastry.

1st Annual JWU Outstanding Speaker Contest Students had to be prepared to give a five to seven minute speech, either informative or persuasive. Student Lauren Jackson won the $100 first place prize. Marissa Hartridge took second and Cecily Kimmie was awarded third place.

Student Spotlight: Get to Know... Rachel Withers, The Hospitality College, Junior, Sports/Entertainment/Event Management.

She raps, walks on glass and blows fire. That unusual talent landed the Indian Land, S.C. student on a plane to Los Angeles, Calif. and onto the set of "America's Got Talent." Rachel says talent searchers found her Web site, rachelstarlive.com. She attended an open casting call and of the 25,000 people who she says tried out, only 200 were chosen and Rachel was one of them! She flew to L.A. to compete for one of the top ten spots. But because she was planning to walk on glass for the show, she had to fly with glass. "I couldn't believe it, but I was allowed on the plane. I had a plastic box. I put carpet in the box and wrapped it around the glass and left a note on the suitcase. It's real glass, I've been cut before!" We can't give away the outcome. The third season of "America's Got Talent" debuts June 24, so tune in!

Unique Learning Moment... In Deborah Lord's Economics class, the students spend a great deal of time studying how money is distributed among the American population. They study the effects of poverty on our economy, as well as the effect of great wealth, as it relates to taxes, spending and unemployment. These discussions in class are a great transition to volunteering at Crisis Assistance Ministry, an agency that makes life-changing contributions to those in real need. The class is also raising funds for Hurricane Katrina victims through Brad Pitt's “Make it Right Foundation - The Pink Project.” The students chose this foundation because of the number of Charlotte Campus students who were impacted by the hurricane.