Hospitality & Tourism Alumni Chapter Celebrates the 2026 Alumni Awards of Excellence at the Park Avenue Club

A man stands at a podium addressing an audience.

FDU, Hospitality Alumni, 4th Annual Hospitality Reception, Celebration & Awards

The fourth annual Awards of Excellence given to alumni of The International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management was held at The Park Avenue Club on April 23. The event was supported by the generous contributions of major industry leading organizations, and alumni.

The 2026 honorees are:

  • Hotelier of the Year: Joannie Cargill, Global Sales Director(Business Travel Sales), Omni Hotels and Resorts
  • The Honorary Dr. Richard Wisch Educator of the Year: Chad Schoonveld, Department Chair Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, Brookdale Community College
  • The Joe Cozza Food and Beverage and Events Industry Icon Award: Richard Ramos, Adjunct Instructor, FDU International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management
  • Young Professional of the Year: Colleen Farkouh, Director of Events, Vision Event Company

Agnieszka (Agnes) Zaranski (BS ’05, MS ’06), Senior National Sales Executive at Visit Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and President of the FDU Hospitality Alumni Chapter, was thrilled to see such a strong turnout of students, alumni, and industry partners.

“As we come together for this year’s Awards of Excellence, it’s clear that the impact of our program extends far beyond individual accomplishments. What truly sets us apart is the dedication of our alumni to stay engaged, support one another, and uplift our students. The relationships built through mentorship, networking, and genuine connection between alumni and students are essential in preparing the next generation of hospitality leaders. These connections open doors, create meaningful opportunities, and shape what comes next. I encourage everyone to stay involved and get engaged with the FDU Hospitality Alumni Chapter as we continue building momentum together.”

The Dr. Richard Wisch Educator of the Year award was established in 2024 to honor former educator, long-serving Dean, and influencer of the Hospitality Program. The FDU Hospitality & Tourism Alumni Chapter established a scholarship fund in honor of Dr. Richard Wisch. Rosemary Trinkle Baran (BS’ 93), FDU Alumni President provided the initial support and efforts to establish the scholarship fund.

The Fairleigh Dickinson University Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Chapter holds the annual event to recognize prestigious alumni and award scholarships to FDU hospitality and tourism students. This year’s ceremony also celebrated the awarding of $10,000.00 to students as generous gifts from The Fairleigh Dickinson University Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Chapter.

The event was attended by numerous students, alumni, industry stakeholders, and influencers. Prior to the awards ceremony, the undergraduate students participated in a networking seminar delivered by alumni of the International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management.

The FDU Hospitality and Tourism program is one of the oldest in the New York Metro area and in the United States. It can be followed on LinkedIn @fduhospitality, Instagram @fdu_hospitality and Facebook @fdu hospitality.

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