Comprised of approximately 25,000 senior-level professionals in 80 nations around the world, Skål International’s vast global network unites all branches of the travel and tourism industry through exclusive seminars, workshops, and conferences that benefit the professional sector. As a member of Skål International, Dr. Ross will be able to take advantage of exclusive industry publications and databases, as well as networking opportunities and meetings at the local, national and international levels to remain on the cutting edge of the global travel and tourism industry.

“I am extremely honored to be accepted into such a remarkable and highly-respected organization,” said Ross. “I look forward to meeting many new industry colleagues and taking advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that Skål offers its members. Additionally, I believe that my membership, along with Dean Pizam and Dr. Iskat, will help �鶹ӳ����ý’s Rosen College establish a greater global presence among the travel and tourism industry.”

Ross was inducted into Skål International at the Orlando chapter’s October meeting at the Buena Vista Palace. Lenore DeMeo, a Life Member from Hotel Sales, sponsored Ross’ membership.

In addition to Ross, Pizam, and Iskat, �鶹ӳ����ý’s Rosen College currently has six students participating in Skål International’s Young Skål program. The Young Skål program allows students to participate in networking events, attend local Skål meetings, and offers scholarship and mentoring opportunities.

�鶹ӳ����ý’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management is the only academic institution in the region currently involved in the Young Skål program.

For more information about Skål International or Young Skål, please visit.

“Young Skål is a membership category of Skål International specifically for students and young professionals directly related to travel and tourism,” said Dr. Wilfried Iskat, Associate Professor at Rosen College and Skål International member. “By participating in this program, our students will be mentored by senior-level industry professionals, introduced to various businesses, partake in industry events, and network with Skål members from around the world.”

Skål International’s Orlando chapter recently held a dinner meeting at the Rosen College campus to welcome Jed Miciak, Beatriz Alvarez, David Woodstein, Megan Joyce, Nicole Cutrufo and Aaron Rask as its newest members of the Young Skål program. All six Rosen College Students will receive guidance from local Skål members, attend monthly meetings, and participate in local networking events.

“After our students graduate from the Young Skål program, they automatically become active members of Skål’s vast global network,” said Dr. Iskat. “This is an exceptional program to be associated with, and I’m excited to see how our students benefit from it.”

�鶹ӳ����ý’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management is the only academic institution in the region involved in the Young Skål program. Presently there are only 339 Young Skål members worldwide, including just 36 in the U.S.

For more information about Skål International or Young Skål, please visit .

I say resume, as opposed to start, because long before Bruckner stepped foot on campus, he was already thriving in his field. Growing up in West Islip, Bruckner worked at one of the busiest McDonald’s restaurants on Long Island, where he was promoted yearly from age 14 to 18, when he left his award-winning assistant manager position to attend �鶹ӳ����ý.

“During my time at McDonald’s, I saw the potential for me to be successful in the hospitality industry, but I knew I needed the education to support it,” said Bruckner. “An industry professional gave me a list of the top 10 hospitality schools, and I chose �鶹ӳ����ý because of its resources, location and opportunities.”

Bruckner enrolled at �鶹ӳ����ý in August 2009, and despite the heavy course load necessary to complete a bachelor’s degree in three years, he excelled in his academics. The five-time Dean’s List honoree earned First Year Academic Scholar honors, recognition from two collegiate honor societies (Golden Key International Honor Society and Eta Sigma Delta), and has maintained an overall GPA of 3.7.

In addition to his academics, Bruckner has been heavily involved in the local and campus community, participating in multiple outreach programs, events and committees.  Bruckner has also chaired multiple student organizations and served as the project manager/creator for All Knight Study – �鶹ӳ����ý’s first 24-hour study space.

Now in his final year at �鶹ӳ����ý’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Bruckner has already secured a job with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort, as a room service supervisor.

Bruckner has also been chosen, as the only Rosen College student this semester, to participate in a 10-day externship with Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ management training program in New York City this March.

“The opportunities that I have been given stem from a series of events that led to my successes,” said Bruckner. “My job at McDonalds got me interested in hospitality management, which led to me to �鶹ӳ����ý’s Rosen College, where learned and networked to achieve my goals.”

While Bruckner has worked hard towards his goals, he admits that he’s had help along the way, crediting Student Services and Dr. Wilfried Iskat with pointing him in the right direction.

“I remember knocking on Dr. Iskat’s door and saying ‘hi, my name is Gary and I need your help taking the next step in my life,’” said Bruckner. “He helped me and suggested that I attend the Rosen College Career Fair, where I started networking with employers, and ultimately that helped me obtain my job.”

Bruckner will graduate this fall with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.