"The best lesson is for students to do, then learn"

Ron Cereola wasn't originally in the Hospitality industry.  He started his professional career as a lawyer.  He later moved into the industry because it was an area of interest.  Cereola's interest was encouraged by Reg Foucar-Szocki who asked Cereola to develop a class for hospitality law here at JMU.

The best part of the HTM department here at JMU is the department's "personality" Cereola explains.  Not only in the faculty of the department, but with the students as well.  The entire department is congenial with close personal contact between students and professors. For lack of a better term, "it's hospitable."  Cereola came to JMU eight years ago when the program had only sixty students and three instructors.  The atmosphere has not changed from that time until now with around 250 students and eight faculty members.

If he wasn't at JMU, he would still be teaching somewhere, Cereola explains.  He says that he has given up practicing law and in the classroom is where he belongs.  Outside of the classroom, Cereola enjoys surfing the web. By doing so, he is able to keep up with current events and thus brings those into the classroom. He is a strong believer in experiential learning. Through this he has been able to create and develop HTM 451 (The "Vegas Class"). This class is a prime example of experiential learning. Not only do students learn about the city and its workings, but they also make a trip to Sin City and experience what they have learned.