Six members of the University of Delaware community were honored for their outstanding contributions to hospitality at the Delaware Hotel and Lodging Association’s Stars of the Industry Awards on April 10.
Two retired faculty members from UD’s Department of Hospitality and Sport Business Management, Robert Nelson and Brian Miller, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Education, celebrating their decades-long impact on hospitality education and student success.
UD hospitality students were also recognized for their excellence and promise. Senior Dayana Garzon Lagos, who has accepted a position with Hyatt in San Diego, and junior Kiley Michulka were each awarded the Gregory Kramedas Scholarship, which is funded by a UD donor family and supports emerging leaders in the field.
Two members of the team at the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware, which operates as a learning lab for UD students, received top honors. Executive Chef Jeff Brittingham was named Manager of the Year for his leadership and service excellence, while Zeus Canogo-Torres, a UD alum, earned the Heart-of-the-House Employee of the Year award for his dedication and behind-the-scenes impact.
The event highlighted UD’s strong presence in Delaware’s hospitality industry and the continuing influence of its hospitality education program on students and professionals alike.