Washington State University is in the middle of one of Spokane’s more intriguing events — this summer’s reopening of The Davenport Hotel. From the architect to the director of operations, Cougar “paw prints” run throughout the $35 million renovation.
Walt and Karen Worthy insist that only the best is in The Davenport, including employees, so that guests will truly have a luxury hotel experience. WSU alumni and interns are there to help.
“The WSU hospitality and business management program is certainly an asset to this hotel. It is nearby and produces the kind of graduates and students that fit our goal to have the highest quality of service,” said Davenport’s public relations manager Lura Sheahan.
Currently, four WSU hospitality business management (HBM) alumni are employed full-time at the historic hotel. And over the course of this summer, five current HBM students worked as interns.
“The Davenport has been helpful to the school by hiring interns,” said Terry Umbreit, director and professor of HBM in the College of Business and Economics. “This is a great benefit for current students who must complete 1,000 hours of internship to graduate with our four-year degree.”
First finished in 1914, the Davenport was rescued by the Worthys from ruin after 17 years of closed doors. During the weekend of July 13 and 14 this summer, the public was invited for an open house prior to official reopening on the 15th. “We were expecting a few thousand and ended up having 11,000 people come through the doors,” said Matt Jensen (‘88), director of sales and marketing.
“It has been an extraordinary experience with all of the community interest in The Davenport,” said Lynnelle Caudill (‘89), director of operations. “People have been so gracious and can’t say enough about their memories of this grand hotel.”
“I feel like a queen here,” said intern Alyssa Riccilli, an HBM sophomore from Spokane. “It’s just gorgeous. Unlike many hotels, there is so much character and culture to it.” Riccilli says her experience at The Davenport has made her more excited and interested in her chosen course of study.
That is precisely what the hotel intends to do for future HBM students. “The Davenport would love to partner with WSU on hosting interns,” noted Jensen, adding the interns were some of their best employees. “They love the experience of a luxury hotel so close to Pullman.”
Jensen, a Spokane native, credits WSU for his background in the industry, which was enhanced by studying abroad in Switzerland, including work at the Palace Hotel in Lucerne. “I can thank WSU for that opportunity,” said Jensen
Being a product of a program that consistently rates in the top ten percent of 170 similar programs nationwide definitely makes a difference in getting a foot in the door of the industry, noted Caudill. “The reputation of the WSU hospitality program helped me get started.”
Student opportunities at the hotel might broaden if a plan to offer HBM coursework in Spokane goes through. “A proposal to extend the HBM degree to WSU Spokane is pending approval,” said Jo Ann Asher Thompson, WSU Spokane associate dean. With approval, students would be able to complete the degree on the Spokane campus, she noted.
