Let’s rewind the tapes for a bit of history at The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU).

Professor Michael E. Hurst was a founding faculty member and architect of The Chaplin School. In 1996, leveraging his extensive hospitality network, Hurst initiated a Guest Lecture Series aimed at connecting students with industry pioneers and hospitality visionaries. This series provided exclusive access to industry insights, thought leadership, success stories, and practical education, nurturing their professional development.

In honor of his innovative legacy, the endowed guest lecture series, pioneered by Hurst, was renamed in his honor. Today, the “The Professor Michael E. Hurst Distinguished Hospitality Leaders Lecture Series” continues to serve as a vital link between the school and the hospitality industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.

This video features one of Professor Hurst's early lectures on the significance of Hospitality Management, showcasing the wealth of hospitality knowledge, educational resources, and industry expertise that define The Chaplin School.

The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) is ranked 6th in the U.S. and 31st in the world among top U.S. public universities for tourism and hospitality management. Its programming, crafted over decades of industry collaboration, educational innovation, and thought leadership, provides students with world-class resources such as the Hurst Lecture series and beyond. Learn more or enroll now at https://hospitality.fiu.edu.