Payne School Commemorates 25 Years of Hospitality Education

For 25 years, the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University has practiced what hospitality does best: opening doors to transformative experiences. The anniversary celebration includes an eventful and reflective alumni weekend and a 25 Years, 25 Stories Series campaign, both honoring the people whose accomplishments have shaped the school.

From October 23-25, 2026, Payne School alumni, faculty, staff and community partners will gather for a weekend of unique experiences beginning with a kickoff night at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, Oct. 23rd followed by activities such as a faculty-led hike, a beach day at Mission Bay Aquatic Center, dining at Punchbowl Social and games at Sycuan Resort and Casino. Alumni will return to campus on Sunday, Oct. 25th to revisit the HTM student lounge in the Adams Humanities building, often referred to fondly by students as ‘the couches’, where students are often found doing homework and making connections.

Alumna Elizabeth Hayes (‘19), the Payne School’s events, alumni and strategic engagement manager, said that over 35% of attending alumni are traveling from out of town. 

“We have a super tight knit community in this program and even after you graduate, a lot of faculty and staff will stay in touch with most of our alumni and a lot of our alumni stay in touch with each other, 
so this is just a time to get everyone back in one spot,” Hayes said. 

The events will extend into Jan. 2027 when the HTM community will gather at the Town and Country Resort to honor industry partners for their ongoing support of the school’s students and programs. 

HTM alumni are also being celebrated through 25 Years, 25 Stories Series, a weekly spotlight campaign launched on the school’s social media, aimed at featuring inspiring alumni journeys and industry leaders over 25 weeks. 

“Whether they were in our undergraduate programs or master's programs, we want to make sure that we tell their story and kind of what they did in the program and where they are today,” Hayes said.

HTM alumna Susan Hawke-Pfeifer, executive general manager and associate director of Snapdragon Stadium, will be attending the alumni weekend events. Hawke-Pfeifer graduated in 2024 from HTM’s Masters program. 

“I think what the program has done for me has really helped me just have a broader mindset, because leadership and how you approach people differs, talking to experts in the business through that program is just understanding people's different perspectives,” said Hawke-Pfeifer.

Branson Klemp, a third-year HTM student with an emphasis in Hotel Operations and Management, mused upon his experience in the Payne School and the quarter century celebration. 

“What makes this anniversary special to me as a student is being able to see the wide array of alumni from the Payne School, because the major only became a thing in 2001. That is 25 years of alumni being able to grow connections and find potential employers, potential connections in the hospitality industry,” Klemp said. 

Klemp is an SDSU Ambassador, orientation leader, HTM academic advisor for lower division students, and treasurer for HTM’s Mosaic Club. According to Klemp, Mosaic focuses on expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the hospitality industry. 

Through both Mosaic and involvement within the Payne School, Klemp has had the opportunity to travel to Seattle, Dallas, China and the Washington D.C metropolitan area for hospitality-focused endeavors and to learn from industry professionals. 

Similarly, Sammy Kurz, a fourth year HTM student and Director of Corporate Relations for Mosaic, reflected positively on her experience in the Payne School. 

“Everyone's so personable, and everybody is so focused on creating connections and just having a good experience. I also found that all of my advisors and anybody I talk to in the hospitality school are so helpful. You get hands-on help like that,” Kurz said.

Kurz and Klemp’s hands-on experience reflect the Payne School’s broader commitment to career preparation. . Before graduating, students complete at least 400 hours of hospitality experience prior to their third year, hold two industry jobs in their upper division years, and complete a study abroad program.

That extensive preparation contributes to a 99% job placement rate for HTM graduates, Hayes said.  Students enter the workforce having held at least three industry positions, with many completing five, six, or seven jobs or internships before graduation.

As anniversary celebrations begin in Oct., both students and alumni will have the chance to reflect on 25 years of connection, growth and unmatched experience. For more information, visit the anniversary events page.