3:37 p.m., Sept. 14, 2009----Cihan Cobanoglu, University of Delaware associate professor of hospitality information technology and management information systems, received the John Wiley & Sons Award for Innovation in Teaching at the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (I-CHERIE) conference held in San Francisco in August.

THIS STORY

E-mail

Print

Twitter

The international award recognizes innovative, creative and effective teaching techniques in hospitality education at the high school, diploma and college or university level.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award from I-CHRIE,” Cobanoglu said. “I am accepting the award on behalf of all my colleagues, students and staff members at the University of Delaware.

“Everybody knows that one person cannot do anything alone. This is true for me,” he said. “I am surrounded by wonderful people who support me every step of the way. I cannot express my appreciation enough to all my associates at the University. This award only motivates me to be a better teacher and mentor for our students.”

“The Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management is very pleased to have one of our own receive this prestigious international teaching award,” said Robert Nelson, department chairperson. “The John Wiley & Sons Award for Innovation in Teaching annually recognizes one individual among the tens of thousands teaching in hospitality management schools throughout the world. Dr. Cobanoglu is very deserving of this recognition.

“Among his innovative teaching approaches is the eXperimental guestroom in our Courtyard by Marriott hotel where his X-Room Scholars get to test the very latest guestroom technologies. He also brings the latest hospitality management software into class, involves students in a variety of his research projects and brings innovative techniques to distance learning.”

Cobanoglu received UD's Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009 and the Exemplary Use of Technology in Teaching Award in 2008, and serves as president of the University of Delaware Faculty Senate.

He also is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology and chairperson of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Technology and E-Business Committee.

Cobanoglu, who joined the UD faculty in 2001, is a graduate of Cukurova University in Turkey and holds master's and doctoral degrees from Oklahoma State University.

Article by Sue Moncure