Several honored at UNLV hotel school’s Vallen Dinner

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Hotel Administration had its Vallen Dinner on April 28 at Aria.

In 1967, Nevada Southern University, now UNLV, was searching for a dean for its new hospitality program. Jerry Vallen (and his wife, Flossie) moved from the East Coast to Las Vegas to take the reins of the new college. Jerry Vallen served as dean of UNLV's College of Hotel Administration for 22 years.

The Vallens received a standing ovation as they were introduced to the capacity crowd that filled the Ironwood Ballroom.

The event's silent and live auctions will benefit the hotel college's alumni program and the Stuart H. Mann Endowment Fund, named for a previous dean.

Guy Fieri, class of 1990, host of Food Network shows "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" and "Guy's Big Bite" as well as NBC's "Minute to Win It," received the Alumnus of the Year Award.

The Gaming Management Association Award went to Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association and a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Caesars Entertainment Association, represented by Tommy Woycik, captured the Excellence in Innovation Award for its Nextep Systems.

Industry Executives of the Year honored were: Christopher Silva, president and CEO of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma County, Calif.; Thomas Jingoli, class of 1996, CEO and chief compliance officer of Konami Gaming; and Chris Meyer, class of 1984, vice president for convention sales at the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.

UNLV President Neal Smatresk announced the hotel college's interim dean Don Snyder is the new dean for the hotel college.

Among the guests attending were Patty Becker, Bill McBeath, Seyhmus Baloglu, Pat Moreo, Judy Patterson, Tony Henthorne, David Mikowski, Bill Boyd, Stuart and Doreen Mann, Mel Wolzinger, Jack Schofield, Felix Rappaport, and Maria and Ted Quirk.

Candlelighters: The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation had its Evening of Hope benefit on April 29 at Rumor.

Chet Buchanan of KLUC-FM, 98.5 hosted the poolside evening that featured silent and live auctions and entertainment from Dueling Pianos.

The event honored supporters Cindy and Gary Ellis and Todd Radwanski.

The capacity crowd enjoyed libations and hors d'oeuvres from various restaurants including Sedona, Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe, McCormick & Schmick, Le Cordon Bleu, Capital Grill, Origin India, Hash House A Go Go, Stratosphere, DW Bistro, Ferraro's and Border Grill.