Celebrating Excellence: Morgan State’s Hospitality Management Program Honors Top Achievers at Inaugural Academic Awards Ceremony

Morgan State University’s Hospitality Management Program hosted its first-ever Academic Awards Ceremony this past fall at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the program’s top-performing students. The event was a celebration of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication, recognizing students who earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher and highlighting the program’s commitment to fostering the next generation of hospitality leaders.

The ceremony brought together students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals for an evening of recognition and inspiration. Awards were presented across multiple categories, including academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Twenty-five undergraduate students and one graduate student were honored, with special recognition given to three students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA—each receiving a monetary award along with their plaques.

A key highlight of the evening was the recognition of the BIC Educational Foundation, whose generous support has provided more than $250,000 in tuition assistance and emergency funding for Hospitality Management students since 2023. The program also honored Ms. Onahlea Shimunek, General Manager of the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace, for her 20 years of dedicated service and contributions to the program.

The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Mr. Al Hutchinson, President and CEO of Visit Baltimore, who shared insights on emerging trends in the hospitality industry and emphasized the importance of bridging academia and industry to create future opportunities.

The evening also included remarks from:

• Dr. Royce Burnett, Dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management
• Dr. Erica Anthony, Chair of the Business Administration Department
• Ms. Mia Blom, Chair of the Hospitality Advisory Board and Executive Director of the Visit Baltimore Education Foundation

In closing, award recipient Ms. Mya Mendoza delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to faculty, supporters, and industry partners who continue to champion student success.

The ceremony concluded with a networking session, allowing students to connect with industry professionals, faculty, and alumni—an invaluable opportunity to forge relationships that will shape their future careers in the dynamic world of hospitality.

Morgan State University remains a leader in hospitality management education, offering one of only two four-year undergraduate programs in Maryland, as well as the state’s only Master of Science in Hospitality Management. The Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management continues to earn national recognition, recently ranking 60th in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2024-2025 Best B-Schools list—making Morgan the only HBCU to receive an official ranking and one of just two Maryland institutions included on the list.

With events like the Academic Awards Ceremony, Morgan recognizes that the Hospitality Management Program is not just educating students—it’s shaping the future of the hospitality industry.