The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) Blog

Tag: Tourism

PRTM celebrates student achievement at annual awards ceremony

April 14, 2022

This week, we celebrated the hard work and achievements of an outstanding group of parks, recreation and tourism management students!

Awards were given to undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni. Each award winner was chosen based on his or her academic achievement, leadership and professional involvement and strength of character.

This week, we celebrated the hard work and achievements of an outstanding group of parks, recreation and tourism management students! 

Awards were given to undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni. Each award winner was chosen based on his or her academic achievement, leadership and professional involvement and strength of character.

2021 – 2022 winners are as follows:

Certificate of Academic Excellence: This recognition is given to students with outstanding GPAs. 

Maggie Brewer, Ann-Preston Campbell, Jillian Courtney, Berkley Derrick,Sarah Feller, McKenzie Maffett, Meredith Powell, Elli Seabrook, AubreyWease, Jordyn Weber 

Academic Achievement Award at the Junior Level & Senior Level: This award is presented to the junior & senior with the highest GPA. 

Juniors: Creighton Boyd, Mary Scott Brown, Madison Ederer, Grace Groke,Danielle Hess, Micah King, Leila Long, Elise Macaron, Nicholas Massey,Megan Medley, Thomas Romano, Jackson Satterfield Seniors: Claire Beaudry, Shelby Bentley, Grant Blasingame, SofieChirichiello, Ryan Schuchmann

Award of Excellence in Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management: This award is presented to an outstanding senior in Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Managementon the basis of academic achievement, leadership and professional involvement in a CRSCM related field. 

Marie Benedetti and Davis King

Park and Conservation Area Management Founders and Leaders’ Award: This award is presented to a junior or senior in Park and Conservation Area Management who exemplifies the values, work, leadership and spirit of the founders and leaders of our public lands. 

Maggie Brewer

Award for Excellence in Recreational Therapy: This award is presented to a student who displays high academic standards while achieving excellence in Recreational Therapy through service to special populations and achievement in professional activities. 

Marley Neal

Award for Excellence in Professional Golf Management: This award is presented to an outstanding senior in PGA Golf Management on the basis of academic acheivement, leadership and professional involvement in golf management. 

Nolan Miller

Award for Excellence in Travel and Tourism: This award recognizes an outstanding student in Travel and Tourism based on academic achievement and demonstrated interest and dedication to the Travel and Tourism field. 

Cayman Williams

Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship Award: This award is presented to an outstanding undergraduate student studying sport management. The scholarship recognizes the life and work of Robert H. Brooks, ’60 and Mark Bellamy Brooks, ’91. 

Nicole Entrup

Lawrence R. Allen Engaged Future Professional Award: This award is given to an undergraduate PRTM student who has demonstrated a commitment to professional engagement in the PRTM field.

Izzy Miller

Greg Schoper Leadership Award: Established to honor a graduate of the department who was killed in action in Vietnam, this award recognizes the department’s most outstanding student leader of the year. 

McKenzie Maffett

Stevenson-Smith-Lovett Award: Established in memory of the families of the donors, this award is presented to a rising senior who exemplifies personal qualities of integrity, love, compassion, service and a positive attitude. 

Emily Brady

Judith E. Voelkl Scholarship Award: This award recognizes a student who plans to serve the public through a career in the PRTM field, has academic achievement of at least a 3.0 GPA, and who exhibits the qualities of caring, compassion, commitment and spirit. 

Scarlett Lawthorne

Bert and Johnnie Brantley Outstanding Student Award: This award is presented to two PRTM seniors who have exhibited outstanding service to the PRTM Department, the University and the community during the student’s academic career at ClemsonUniversity while maintaining a 3.0 GPA. 

Shelby Bentley and Sarah Bratton

Marsha A. Ward ’79 Fellowship for Play: The Marsha A. Ward ’79 Fellowship for Play is awarded annually to a Clemson University graduate student inPRTM who demonstrates a commitment to play and the value of play in modern society. 

Leslie Heffington

Graduate Student Awards of Excellence: This award recognizes graduate students who are distinguished through academic achievement,scholarship, community service and perseverance. 

Anup K C, Olivia McAnirlin and Kaitlin Mueller

Francis A. McGuire Graduate Student Teaching Award: This award is presented to a graduate student who has shown excellence in teaching exemplified by the qualities of caring, passion and engagement with students. 

Ali Dubin and Felipe Tobar

Brett A. Wright Award for Graduate Student Achievement: This award recognizes graduate students who are distinguished through outstanding academic achievement. 

Rita Penniman and Tania Santiago-Perez

Outstanding Alumnus Award: This award is presented to former PRTM graduate student who have made outstanding contributions in the field of parks and recreation. 

Practitioner: Jennifer Bozard Academic: Dr. Melissa Weddell

PRTM Student Ambassador Recognition: This recognition is given to students who have represented PRTM as Student Ambassadors andhave helped to advance the mission of the department by sharing their experiences with currentand prospective students. 

Grace Caroline Bell, Taylor Bogucki, Sage Ennis, Alia Logoleo, Jordyn Weber

Recognition of Retirement: This award is presented to faculty and staff members in recognition of their years of service to the PRTM department and as a celebration of their retirement. 

Larry Allen, Ken Backman, Karin Emmons, Fran McGuire, TequillaStokes, David Taylor, Bill Quinn 

Recognition of Service: This award is presented to the person who provided impactful service and positive contributions to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. 

Paul Borick 

Distinguished Service Award: This award is presented in recognition of impactful service, positive contributions and steadfast leadership to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

Dr. Jeff Hallo

Meet Dr. Em Adams, assistant professor in PRTM’s recreational therapy concentration

February 7, 2022

 

Meet Dr. Em Adams, assistant professor in parks, recreation and tourism management’s recreational therapy concentration!  

Em received her doctorate from Clemson University in parks, recreation and tourism management with a cognate area of recreational therapy and a certificate in clinical and translational science. After completing her degree, she spent several years as an assistant professor at Lehman College in Bronx, New York before rejoining the Clemson PRTM family last year.

Let’s get to know her!

Q: What courses do you teach in PRTM’s recreational therapy concentration?

A: I teach Assessment in Recreational Therapy (PRTM 3240) and Advanced Facilitation Techniques (PRTM 8720).

Q: What are you research interests? 

A: My research focuses on health equity and building resilience in individuals, families and communities who have experienced violence and trauma. I’m also passionate about reducing barriers to treatment for mental health and finding ways to reduce burnout and vicarious trauma among healthcare workers.

Q: Outside of work, what are your hobbies? 

A: I love music and any type of water activity.

Q: What words of advice would you share with undergraduate or graduate students in PRTM? 

A: Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and make sure you’re taking time for self-care. Keep open lines of communication with your professors and ask for help as needed.

Em was recently named a fellow for the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Diversity Institute for Emerging Leaders. This institute was designed to assist early-career scholars in fostering a deep understanding and application of the principles of diversity and inclusion in both their research and mentoring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intersections Between Tourism and Society

June 11, 2019

Clemson’s first-ever study abroad trip to Cuba demonstrates the importance of tourism to the country’s economy and culture

Last month, a group of students led by Clemson University Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) faculty member Dr. Lauren Duffy and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Gantt Multicultural Center, Dr. Kendra Stewart-Tillman, took part in Clemson’s first-ever study abroad program in Cuba.

Students learn about Cuba’s economy and Afro-Cuban heritage from a guest speaker at the Center for José Martí Studies in Havana.
Students learn about Cuba’s economy and Afro-Cuban heritage from a guest speaker at the Center for José Martí Studies in Havana.

The program studied the intersections of tourism and society, from the historic to the modern, and applied a critical lens to how the travel and tourism industry interfaced with social structures and norms that influence daily life for many Cubans, such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation.

Lauren feels this study abroad program was particularly timely, as it allowed students to see first-hand the impact tourism can have on a society. “In Cuba, tourism is an important industry sector, and the country is largely dependent on revenue from inbound travelers,” she says.

The visit came during a period of instability between Cuba and the U.S., with political issues including increased travel restrictions and a drawback from a once thawing relationship. Lauren says that these challenges, combined with political unrest in allying countries, has resulted in an economic downturn in Cuba, with food shortages in key household items, such as meat, eggs, and flour. “Being in Cuba during these events gave students valuable insight into both the impact tourism can have on a country’s economy, infrastructure, quality of life, and culture, as well as how intertwined Cuba-U.S. relations have been historically,” she says. “It also allowed students to critically challenge popular narratives regarding this relationship.”

The study abroad cohort in front of the Monument to the Slaves’ Rebellion at the Triunvirato Sugar Mill in the province of Matanzas, where they learned about the nation’s history of slavery and how it continues to shape Cuban heritage and tourism
The study abroad cohort in front of the Monument to the Slaves’ Rebellion at the Triunvirato Sugar Mill in the province of Matanzas, where they learned about the nation’s history of slavery and how it continues to shape Cuban heritage and tourism

Before they left for the trip, students studied the history of travel and tourism in Cuba, and socio-political considerations. This ensured students had the background they needed to be able to assess the current state of tourism, while also considering how it has been shaped by a history of colonialism, slavery, racism, and gender ideology.

“Understanding a country’s past and how it impacts its present and future state helps students apply a different lens to their travel experience,” Lauren continues. “When you understand a country’s history and heritage, you are better equipped to understand how key tourism topics such as conservation, preservation, and economic impact cannot be addressed with one-size-fits-all solutions.”

While in Cuba, the students experienced the country’s rich Afro-Cuban heritage, with visits to colonial, pre-Revolution, and post-Revolution interpretative sites. Discussions with guest speakers through the Center for José Martí Studies helped students unpack the complexities of living in a socialist country with an evolving mixed-economy that is largely spurred by growth of private sector enterprises within tourism – a change that has allowed for a classist society to re-emerge within Havana.

The program was developed through a partnership between the Gantt Multicultural Center and PRTM, with scholarship support being provided by the Gantt Center to increase underrepresented student participation in study abroad programs.

“We were able to support several students as the inaugural cohort of Gantt Study Abroad Fellows, which provided funding assistance for underrepresented student populations that do not typically study abroad at high rates,” said Stewart-Tillman. “This was the first time Clemson sponsored a trip to Cuba and we hope this becomes a regular opportunity for our students in the future.”