ESU Announces Merger of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and Recreation Services Management Departments Effective January

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., announced today that the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and Recreation Services Management departments will merge at the start of the spring 2015 semester in January in an effort to improve program and cost efficiencies. Faculty from the newly merged Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and Recreation Services Management department will continue to provide quality academic programs for students while working with the University College to develop new concentrations within the interdisciplinary studies program.

“This merger marks an exciting synergy between two highly compatible departments,” noted President Welsh.  “Faculty will combine their interests and expertise in ways that enhance the curricula and best serve our students.  The new structure enables the Recreation Services Management department to maintain its disciplinary identity while creating an interdisciplinary synergy and cost efficiency necessary to realize sustainability in the future. The Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management department will also benefit from this merger as Recreation Services is an essential part of the hospitality and tourism industry in the region and our curriculum.”

While the merger comes midway through the academic year, the initial changes will be minimal according to Robert Fleischman, J.D., Ed.D., dean of the College of Business and Management. “The merger will not impact any current faculty positions nor class structure,” says Fleischman. “The merger simply makes sense in that students from both disciplines will benefit from a broadened base of relevant experiences and discussions that will enhance their overall academic experience.” Fleischman adds that a name for the new department will be in place prior to the beginning of the spring 2015 term.

Al Moranville, associate professor and chair of hotel, restaurant and tourism management, will chair the newly merged department.  “We are really excited by the collaborative potential that comes with the development of this new department,” adds Moranville. “It will position our combined programs in unprecedented ways within the thriving hospitality and tourism industry in the Pocono region and beyond,” said Moranville. “With the expansion of hospitality and recreation opportunities in northeast Pennsylvania alone, this provides tremendous value to current, former, and future students in the program.”

A ceremony and celebration of the merger is planned for the near future.

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