SJC Announces Speakers Series on Eco-Tourism Post Hurricane Sandy

February 26, 2013

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. FEBRUARY 27, 2013 St. Josephs College (SJC) is pleased to welcome three distinguished speakers to its Long Island Campus this spring as part of its new Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management Speakers Series: "Common Issues, Unique Solutions: Rebuilding and Protecting Long Islands Natural Assets and Communities. The two-part series will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the McGann Conference Center located in OConnor Hall. 

Historically, Long Islanders have enjoyed a rich abundance of natural resources and habitats. Preservation and conservation of natural resources is vital to the long-term protection and future of Long Island. The Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management Speakers Series will focus on the impact of social, demographic, economic and educational trends on Long Island and the importance of improving land use, planning and management after natural disasters.

The first session, "Disaster Resistance and Resilience: Why Neighborhood Parks Matter, will feature Andrew Mowen, Ph.D., associate professor and professor-in-charge of the Honors Program in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Penn State University and Ariane Rung, Ph.D., associate professor of the Epidemiology Program at LSUHSC School of Public Health on Tuesday, March 12. The second session, "Disaster Revelations: Losses, Gains and Rebuilding Efforts for a New Future, will feature Mr. Daniel Wolff, author of The Fight For Home: How (Parts of) New Orleans Came Back on Wednesday, April 10. A viewing of Wolffs documentary film I'm Carolyn Parker (directed by Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme) will precede his talk at 3 p.m.; a book signing will follow the presentation.

"Given what is now almost 100 years of preparing students for making a difference, SJC is honored to play a leadership role in helping Long Island to both recover from natural disasters, and to plan intentionally for the future, said Dr. Christopher Frost, SJCs Long Island Campus academic dean for the School of Arts and Sciences. "Hospitality and tourism are essential pieces to solving the future of Long Island puzzle, and it is clear that we are all in this together. We are honored to invite the Long Island community into a conversation led by national experts.

The Speakers Series at SJC follows its recent introduction of a new Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management. The mission of the Institute is to provide a leading voice in the discussion of responsible hospitality as a critical component to running a successful enterprise. In addition, the College seeks to prepare students for professional careers in this growing field, while making a positive impact, not only on our local region, but on the global community as well.

The Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management Speakers Series is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, contact Carrie Graf-Behlen at 631.687.2650, email [email protected] or visit www.sjny.edu/ihtm.