By: Mike Pina

   With the fifteenth annual celebration of National Tourism Week just three weeks away, communities across the nation are putting the final touches on their planned activities. The main purpose behind National Tourism Week is to increase the awareness and understanding of travel and tourism’s economic, social, and cultural impact in America. National Tourism Week is sponsored by the Tourism Works for America, Travel Industry Association of America (TIA).

  National Tourism Week’s slogan - Tourism Works for America - will reach the 22.4 million visitors expected to be traveling across the USA during the week. Taking advantage of such of a large audience, hundreds of communities have events planned to commemorate the week and to thank travelers for their business.

  “Increasing the awareness of travel and tourism’s positive impact on the U.S. has long been an important issue for the industry,” said William S. Norman, President and CEO of TIA. “During the past fifteen years, community celebrations of National Tourism Week have helped more citizens and government officials understand the tremendous economic, social, and cultural impact derived from travel and tourism.”

   There are 15.8 million Americans employed nationwide as a result of travel and tourism. The industry is first, second or third largest employer in 32 states and the District of Columbia. Only health care services consistently outperforms the travel industry in producing employment.

   Americans traveling in the U.S. spend over $1 billion per day, $44 million per hour, and $727 thousand per minute on travel and tourism. International travelers visiting the U.S. spend $248 million per day, $10 million per hour, and $172,000 per minute.

  Additional information on National Tourism Week can be found on the Travel Industry Association’s web site at www.tia.org.

  Travel and tourism is America’s largest services export; America’s third-largest retail sales industry; and one of America’s largest employers!

TAP Test
By: Pat May

  The Travel Agent Proficiency Test (TAP) will be given by the RHIT Department in ET 201 on June 19. The test developed by the Society of Travel Agents and the Institute of Certified Travel Agents and others is a standard for measuring entry-level knowledge of the travel business. To -prepare for the exam, a 3 credit hour intensive course, Travel Career Development (RHIT 119) will be offered during Summer I (May 11- June 11 on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 - 9:30 pm. For more information, call Dr. Sotiris Avgoustis at 317-274-2599.

NETWORKING: It’s Not About Computers
By: Dennis Ashley

  Attention all RHIT students: If you are currently looking for work or you will be looking for work after graduation you are already too late. You needed to have started looking yesterday. I will be graduating this May with my BS and I am starting to realize that I should have been networking since the beginning of my studies.

   What is networking? How do you get started? How can you use it to your advantage? Organizational politics is the area that you should attempt to master. It is a process that an individual or a group attempts to gain advantage by using informal tactics in addition to merit. The advantage sought is typically more power but organizational politics can also be used for purposes of gaining acceptance and approval.

   How do you use networking? One example is to collect a database of industry professionals. This database can then be used to assist you in your attempts to find the right job. Employers in your database can also act as professional references. I do not believe that using personal contacts to advance your own career is ethically wrong. In reality, you will be at a disadvantage if you do not do so. I have already started my collection of business cards with special notes at the back to help me remember more about each contact.

   If you are just starting out in the RHIT department, start your networking activities immediately. If you are already working, take the time to start collecting business cards from clients. Also, keep a copy of any job performance appraisals or letters of recognition because you can include them in your career portfolio.

   You should also consider putting together your own career portfolio. The department is offering a course that helps you do this (RHIT 313).

Stergiopoulos Scholarship
By: Pat May

  On Sunday, March 29, the RHIT Department in association with the Stergiopoulos family hosted the department’s fifth annual fund raising scholarship event at The Greek Island Restaurant. This year’s fundraiser was most successful and enabled the Stergiopoulos Scholarship to be endowed. Kelly Perkins, RHIT junior was the recipient of the Elias and Fofo Stergiopoulos Scholarship for 1998.

Awards

  At the School of Physical Education Honors Day program on April 26, John Turner, was named the recipient of the Raymond A. Dault Care Pride and Skill Scholarship for an outstanding freshman.

First Durbin Scholarship Announced

  A scholarship in memory of Donald L. Durbin a noted Indianapolis hotelier has been established by Professor Emeritus Raymond A. Dault to recognize a student for their contributions to the industry. Lindsey Thomas received the first Durbin award.

Philip K. Hardwick Scholarship

  Philip K. Hardwick, Vice President, Indiana University Foundation, has established a new scholarship for the School of Physical Education. This scholarship recognizes a student for outstanding community volunteerism or philanthropy. The scholarship was presented to Juana Watson for her dedication to helping the people in Calnali, Mexico to improve their lives. Juana has taught Spanish at Crispus Attucks Middle School and is serving on the board of the city’s Hispanic Education Center.

Doctor Brother Receives Chancellor’s Award

   Dr. Linda Brothers received The Glenn W. Irwin, Jr. M.D. Experience Excellence Recognition Award for service to IUPUI beyond the call of duty at the IUPUI Honors Convocation on April 24.

   Linda was cited for a number of personal and professional attributes. To quote RHIT graduate, John Strouse, “Dr. Brothers always showed a high regard of respect, care and sincerity toward the students.” She is most deserving of this award.

TERA Winners Recognized

  The TERA award was established by the Indiana University Board of Trustees to honor individuals who have a positive impact on learning through the direct teaching of students, especially undergraduates. TERA recipients were: Doug Adamson, Sotins Avgoustis, Linda Brothers, Liz Cohen, Johannah Doecke, Alan Mikesky and Mark Urtel.

1998 Award Recipients

  The following students were recognized at the School of Physical Education Honors Day Program:

Phi Kappa Scholarship Awards:
Emily Bubb, Gina Buselli, Heather Hiatt, Dan Jones, Nicholas Kashon, Jonathan Lewis, Jerold Nierzwicki, Jr., and Katrina Shnurr.

R. R. Schreiber Distinguished Service Award:
Katnna Schnurr,

Dr. Carl B. Sputh Scholarships:
Nicole Ellis, Laura Heritier, Sandra Knox, and Benjamin Yaden.

Clara L. Hester Scholarship:
Roni Ballard

William A. Stecher Honor Award:
Lora Maher

Dr. Hitwant Sidhu Scholarship:
Heather Ward

Peg Hope Scholarships:
Matthew Apple, Yvonne Beck, Robert Boekaflkamp, Amy Dumka, Julie Evans, Tony Maloney, Kip McWilliams, Traci Patterson and Carlos Wood.

Department of Physical Education Faculty Award:
Jeanette Shonkwiler

The RHIT Award winners were listed in the March issue of the Informer.