Joel Heberlein addresses MSU hospitality graduates

The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University hosted a graduation reception for its spring 2010 graduates on May 8, with MSU's Spartan Hospitality Group director, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center general manager and adjunct professor Joel Heberlein as speaker. More than 250 people attended the reception, and Heberlein's son Mike was among the graduates.

(l to r) The School of Hospitality Business' graduation reception speaker Joel Heberlein and his son, Mike Heberlein

"I had no job and no direction ... and I never dreamed I would lead a hospitality division at a Big Ten university," Heberlein told graduates. "You will always have us here at [MSU]. We will always be here for whatever you need and we would love to hear from each and every one of you whether you need us or not."

The reception included a tribute to the seniors, and two were selected by their peers as "Outstanding Seniors" for 2010. The honor went to Stephanie Stephens, the 2010 executive director of Career Expo; and Alexandra Clark, the 2010 executive director of Les Gourmets.