MMH
Shonette Harrison honored by MMH program
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Shonette Harrison, MMH ’01, with Dean Michael Johnson after receiving the first-ever MMH Outstanding Alumna of the Year award. The event was sponsored by the Jumeirah Essex House, the Boutique Search Firm, and the Chartres Lodging Group. |
Shonette Harrison, MMH ’01, shone brightly indeed the MMH reception held Sunday, November 9 at the Jumeirah Essex House in Manhattan. She entered the crowd of 165 MMH/MPS alumni and current and prospective MMH students at the seventh annual event not just as an alumna, but as the first-ever MMH Outstanding Alumna of the Year. And the timing of the award, which came just five days after Barack Obama’s election as our nation’s first African-American president, resonated warmly for this “proud Jamaican” alumna.
“It’s exciting to be part of a community of passionate and like-minded professionals who are ready to change the world through service,” she said as she greeted her fellow alumni and others. She then added, “For all of us who were excited to watch history on Tuesday night, I just want to point out one thing of note that President-elect Obama said in his speech. He said, ‘Out of many, one people.’ He was specifically referencing our country, but I think that one phrase rings true in so many areas… As hospitality professionals, there are many of us, but we are like-minded. Look at where we all come from, and look at the things we all do.”
Harrison was honored for her academic performance as a student, her career achievements, and her contributions to Cornell and to the School of Hotel Administration as an active committee volunteer and guest-lecturer. “Since earning her MMH, Shonette has been on the fast track at Harrah’s,” said Dean Michael Johnson in presenting the award. Since joining the company in 2000 as an associate in their MBA executive internship program, Harrison has held a variety of positions in various U.S. locations and has so far risen to the position of vice president of casino marketing at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack in Pennsylvania.
Harrison’s Cornell involvement has included service on the hotel school committee that recommended restructuring the MMH program to fit a condensed, 12-month format. Johnson noted that this change has been important in enabling the School to attract more working professionals from outside the hospitality industry who are seeking a career change.
The next few years will be “very interesting times,” noted Johnson, who then reminded the MMHers of the value of their education from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. “Education and the power of your alumni network will be critical. So the investments you make in yourselves, your abilities, and the fact that you’re part of the most outstanding alumni network in the world, from a hospitality standpoint, is going to be critical.”
Harrison concluded her remarks as she had begun them, with a focus on service. “I think it’s our duty, our honor, and our privilege to represent the master’s program and its alumni, and I’m just very proud to be able to do this, to be the first one. That’s hard; that’s probably the thing that is most humbling and most clear. I take that responsibility; I accept it as a proud member of this community.”
Brad Walp, director of enrollment management and international programs, noted another first for this year’s MMH reception: three industry sponsors joined the School in hosting the event. On hand to represent their companies were Benoit Gateau-Cumin, MPS ’75, president of The Boutique Search Firm, and Derrick Yee, MMH ’07, a director of the Chartres Lodging Group. The Jumeirah Essex House, which played a large part in the creation of a most enjoyable evening, was represented by Dean Huntsman, resident manager; Margaret Rosen ’98, director of catering and conference services; Thatcher Brown ’91, director of sales and marketing; and Randal Sokolik ’73, vice president for North America Hotel Asset Management, Dubai Investment Group.