Ithaca, NY, March 30, 2006 - Cathy A. Enz has been appointed Associate Dean for Industry Research and Affairs at the Cornell Hotel School. In this new position, Enz will lead the School's Center for Hospitality Research, Office of Executive Education, Office of Corporate Relations, and the newly launched Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship. 

�We are delighted that Cathy will be leading our industry outreach initiatives,� said Interim Dean Sherri Kimes. �Under her direction, the Cornell Hotel School will build on the strong relationships we have with our many friends in the industry.� 

Under Enz�s leadership, the Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship will support innovation in the industry and be a platform for knowledge about forming new hospitality businesses, managing small and family-run businesses, franchising, corporate venturing, new venture funding and innovation. This spring, the Institute will launch its �Hospitality Innovator Award� to honor the achievements of hospitality leaders and the companies they have created. 

Additionally, the Institute is launching a speaker series to bring industry leaders to campus. �Conversations with Entrepreneurs� will provide a unique opportunity for students to learn from successful entrepreneurs in an informal setting. The first conversation will feature Lee Stein, managing partner, Virtual Group, LLC, on April 5, followed by Mark Harmon, principal & CEO, Auberge Resorts, on May 2. 

"There is a great tradition of entrepreneurship at the Hotel School. I look forward to building on that tradition for the next generation of students," said Enz. 

Enz is the Lewis G. Schaeneman, Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic Management at the Hotel School. During her 16 years at the School, Enz has served in various leadership roles, including as executive director of the School�s Center for Hospitality Research. Her research addresses innovation, change management and competitive strategy. 

Enz has more than 70 published articles in scholarly journals. Her books include the groundbreaking �American Lodging Excellence: The Keys to Best Practices in the U.S. Lodging Industry� (with L. Dube, L. Renaghan, and J. Siguaw), and the recently published �Hospitality Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases� (with Jeffrey Harrison). 

A native of Prescott, Arizona, Enz received her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. 

To learn more about the Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, contact Joe Strodel, Jr., director of corporate relations, at 607.255.4646 or visit: http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/ihe/. 

The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is shaping the global knowledge base for hospitality management through leadership in education, research and industry advancement. The School provides management instruction in the full range of hospitality disciplines, educating the next generation of leaders in the world's largest industry. Founded in 1922 as the nation's first collegiate course of study in hospitality management, the Cornell Hotel School is recognized as the world leader in its field. For more information, visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu

Cydney Peters
607.255.8698
[email protected]