When high school sweethearts, Chris and Joanna, decided to attend UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management together, it’s safe to say they didn’t realize the special impact they would have on the college. They married in their junior year at UCF and graduated in December 2003 with degrees in Hospitality Management.
Flash forward to six years later — Chris Iaciofoli is now the Director of Operations Excellence with Red Lobster and Joanna Iaciofoli was a Food and Beverage Manager at the Hyatt Grand Cypress prior to the arrival of their bundle of joy, Kendall, on August 26, 2008.
Kendall is the first baby born to a pair of Rosen College alumni and to commemorate the special occasion, Jennifer Rickmann, development officer with the college, arranged a special baby shirt featuring the Rosen College logo.
When asked if Kendall might attend Rosen College in the future, Chris said, “I think that it is a great possibility. [Joanna and I] have a passion for the hospitality industry and Kendall will be raised with that same passion.” He further added, “If she chooses to go down that road, we would fully support her choice to become a Knight at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management!” We would too!
More to come
Kendall will be joined by another Rosen College baby in the next coming months. Rosen College alumni Erica Buckalew (class of ’04) and husband David Buckalew (class of ’05) are expecting a baby boy in March 2010. We congratulate the Buckalews and look forward to growing the Rosen College family.