Resort president to give 40th annual Shugart Lecture for College of Human Ecology
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014
MANHATTAN -- Cynthia Kiser Murphey, president and chief operating officer of New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, will present the 40th annual Shugart Lecture at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, in the K-State Student Union's Forum Hall at Kansas State University.
The lecture is free and the public is welcome.
New York-New York is a 2,024-room resort pairing "the singular style of New York City with the unique energy of the Las Vegas Strip." Her goal is to develop and reinforce the property's spirit where guests are a part of creating memories and sharing stories, Murphey said.
Previously, Murphey served as senior vice president of human resources for MGM Resorts International and was a guiding force in the development of the company's comprehensive wellness and disease prevention program. At other properties she was instrumental in creating an in-house corporate university and on-site child development center.
"We are excited to add Cynthia to our long list of extraordinary Shugart lecturers," said Jeannie Sneed, head of the hospitality management and dietetics department, which sponsors the annual program. "She is an outstanding leader in the hospitality industry with some unique experiences to share with students."
Murphey has bachelor's and master's degrees in hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she was named Alumna of the Year in 2008.
She is involved in a number of charitable and professional organizations, including the Healthcare Reform Policy Council, the Nevada Academy of Health and the Governor's Commission on Medical Education, Research and Training in Nevada.
The Shugart Lecture brings dietitians and food service and hospitality experts to Kansas State University for the enrichment of student curricula and to provide continuing education for practitioners in the field.
Established in 1975, the lecture series honors the late Grace M. Shugart, former department head in the College of Human Ecology and co-author of "Food for Fifty" and "Food Service in Institutions." Shugart helped build the profession of dietetics and institutional management throughout the United States, serving as president of the American Dietetic Association. She also was a Medallion Award winner and received the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the American Dietetic Association's highest honor.
