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10 SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY HERALD

Students from all over the world


choose Sullivan University!
Vietnamese doctor values education Bulgarian student
he receives from culinary program is in the best place
Dr. David Dao is a of Saigon fell to the Communist Jordon is working at Winstons,
familiar and friendly forces, David was forced to flee by Sullivans on-campus restaurant,
face to culinary stu- whatever means he could. Eventually while he attends Sullivan. Born in
dents and staff. But David finished his medical training in Bulgaria, Jordon grew up in a
very few know his California and in 1980 relocated to country with many political problems
extraordinary story. Indiana. He worked for a prison in and hardships. I decided to work
Currently, Dr. Dao is Michigan City, but only stayed one on cruise ships because it was one of Jordon Kharizanov and Executive
taking a sabbatical from his busy year after an inmate tried to strangle Assistant Brenda Brown who Jordan
the ways to get out of Bulgaria and calls his American mother.
medical practice in Elizabethtown him with his own stethoscope! seek opportunities for a better life,
where he cares for patients with David served a four-year internship Jordon stated. My other reason was in the Bachelor's degree program
respiratory problems to study Culinary and fellowship at the University of and anticipate graduating in March.
to gain experience, travel and com-
Arts. Originally from Saigon City, Louisville Medical School until 1986, Then, I will enter Sullivans Graduate
municate with different people
Vietnam - this is where his story begins. when he had an opportunity to take School to earn a
After three years To spend several years at
Forced to flee Vietnam over a practice in Elizabethtown. Masters degree.
on the cruise ships, Sullivan University and gain all
David attended medical school Enrolled at Sullivan My advice to
a family Jordon this knowledge is making an
at Saigon University until 1974 when Dr. Dao enrolled in Sullivans any current Sullivan
knew in Bulgaria investment for life.
he entered the military as a teacher Culinary Arts program because he is student, or a prospec-
passionate about food and preventing became his sponsor, JORDON KHARIZANOV
of medicine. Because of his superior and he was able to tive one, is to realize
grades, he never saw active duty disease instead of always treating the
relocate to Louisville. that education is one of the most
during the Vietnam War. When the city symptoms. David says he never fully
They helped me start my important driving forces in our lives.
realized the importance of sanitation,
education at Sullivan University. I believe that my destiny was to
proper technique and nutrition to
health. As a physician he wants to My field of study is Business come here which makes me feel that
take what he has learned at Sullivan Accounting. I am currently enrolled I am in the best place.
Ecuador - a long back to his medical practice and edu-
way from home - cate patients on the undeniable link
between healthy food and good
but a short road
to success
health. David has been gracious
enough to spend some time with
Chef Instructor Katie Payne in
UPDATE
International Cuisine helping to refine
It's a long way to Ecuador, but,
our menu for the Vietnam unit. His
First international students
it's not too far for someone who has
a serious passion for a solid career in
observations ring true in terms of are working in Scotland
health and good food. Hopefully
the hospitality Industry. Maria some of the young culinarians who
Cristina Cortez hails from Quito, For the first time in its history,
are reading this will begin to consider
Ecuador, and recently graduated Sullivan's National Center for Hospitality
the applications of their education
from the Culinary Arts program at outside the restaurant industry. Studies has sent students overseas for
Sullivan University. an international internship. Five students from the Hotel-Restaurant
Then, 2002 Christina arrived Management program spent the entire Summer Quarter working in three
in Louisville, KY two different hotels in Stirling, Scotland.
years ago. Her first Left, Jos We were thrilled that this opportunity came together so quickly, said
concern was leaving Hernandez
proudly Kerry Sommerville, Department Chair of the Hospitality Studies program.
her family, but she presents Our interns have apparently taken these hotels by storm, really impressing
knew how impor- a copy of the managers with their skills and their solid work ethic.
tant it was to attain his book
The students work 40 hours per week as well as taking a full-time load
her dream. That to Charlie
dream was to Brown, of Sullivan University on line courses. The interns live in dormitory-style
become a Chef Sullivans housing on Stirling Universitys campus where they have library privileges
Librarian. as well as computer passwords from Sullivan so that they can maintain their
and work in the food industry. She
has accomplished her goal, and is required coursework.
working very hard to advance further Interns are working in different capacities
in her career. God Bless America Two interns, Todd Stoess and Tim Kleisinger, are working at the Stirling
Achieved great success University Conference Center in front-of-the-house positions; another, Owen
Land of the free and the home
Christina is the Sous Chef at
of the brave! These noble words Powell, is working with the Sous Chef at a nearby Hilton Resort; and two
Glenmary Country Club, one of the
became even more meaningful students, Ginna Wallace and Liz Corcoran, occupy culinary positions at the
most prestigious country clubs in
when I heard Jos Hernandez's historic Stirling Highland Hotel. The students have really gotten into the
Louisville. Christina tells us she never
story,stated Hospitality Instructor culture . . . , reports Bob Simpson, the contact person in Scotland, who is
dreamed of being able to achieve
Eddie Maamry. assisting the students. They've visited some other cities, gone dancing
this type of success right after
Jos fled his native Cuba
graduation. Her love for her job, I want to thank Sullivan for making with their colleagues, and during an
aboard a fragile life raft. His journey in-service training session on wines,
and fellow employees is second this possible. . . . Executive Chef
only to her affection for her family to freedom is very inspiring and he Steven Chalk couldnt be more intern Todd Stoess scored higher than
in Ecuador. wrote a book about his escape from helpful. . . . The value of me being
all of the other employees at his hotel.
Sullivan has opened its doors Havana to Key West, Florida. A copy here seems to multiply every day.
OWEN POWELL Each intern is either working toward
to students from more than twenty of his book, The Final Odyssey, is
available in Sullivans library. a dual degree in Hotel-Restaurant
countries. All of our students benefit Management and Culinary Arts or has already finished that degree and is
from having classmates from various Jos has shown to the world
that in America you can be all you now earning a bachelor's degree. We needed to make this a requirement
cultural backgrounds. Now, 2004
want to be, as long as you make wise of participation because the employers requested students who are equally
Interaction with
others is just another decisions and hold on to a dream. at home both front-and back-of-the house, said Kerry Sommerville. Owen
part of the learning Obtaining an education become Powell, the intern with Hilton, says, My chef is making my work schedule
experience. When a Joss number one dream. so that it coordinates with his. He is taking me through his daily routine and
career-motivated Maamry continued,In Louisville personally showing me what the management does here. Ginna Wallace,
individual like to be near his family, Jos made the who is working in the kitchen of the Stirling Highland Hotel, says, I've
Christina chooses decision to enroll at Sullivan University finally proven myself here. I've been asked to participate in the weekly
Sullivan University to earn his Associate Degree in the Haggis ceremony at the hotel - a real honor!
over any other institution of higher Hotel-Restaurant Management pro- The students will wrap up their work requirements in mid-September,
learning in the world, we all benefit. gram as well as a Baccalaureate in and most of them plan to travel around Europe and the rest of the United
This fall, Christina will start Hospitality Studies.
Kingdom before returning to Louisville to begin their Fall Quarter studies.
working on her Bachelor's degree Jos's story is the kind of success
Students will debrief with Sommerville and other faculty in order to fine-
in Hospitality Management. For that I am proud to share. Jos, has
Christina, it was a long way from
tune the process for the next group who will follow in their footsteps.
taught us a lesson about determina-
Ecuador, but not so far to success. tion and bravery.

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