FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Jones Center's Big Night gala in November was also a big night for hospitality innovation students at the University of Arkansas.

The annual fundraiser for the nonprofit organization was held at the center, which was transformed into a San Francisco-themed event. Hospitality innovation students from the School of Human Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, assisted Tyson corporate executive chef Mario Valdovino and Amy Bates of Bates Events in planning and preparing "A Taste of San Francisco."

 A total of 18 Bumpers College students have been working with Bates Events as ambassadors. Bates trains and mentors the students, and several earn internships while working a variety of events such as fundraisers, weddings and corporate gatherings.

"Getting to work the Big Night with Bates Events is such an incredible opportunity," said graduate assistant Katelynn Cassidy. "I have learned so much from Amy and Stephanie (Harvey, with Bates Events) that will help me advance in the industry. The experience is truly unparalleled."

Associate professor of hospitality innovation Kelly Way and Bates have known each other for more than 20 years and collaborated on the hospitality ambassador program. Each semester, Bates chooses the group of ambassadors from the U of A with up to four earning paying internships.

"Industry leaders such as Amy are priceless to a student's career success," said Way. "To work together to grow students' knowledge through practicum is what makes a competitive difference in our students' future and their ability to secure top jobs in the hospitality and events industry. Amy and her staff are truly gems. I can't express how grateful I am to them for their time, attention and dedication to the hospitality students at the U of A."

In addition to the students working with Bates Events, another 100 hospitality students assisted in plating and serving meals for the 400 Big Night guests.

"Bates Events couldn't put on an event as large and full-serviced as the Big Night without the hospitality innovation students," said Bates. "Giving back to the university and my community through mentoring and teaching the students is truly an honor for me and is close to my heart. My friendship with Dr. Way began in college as students, and 20 some years later, here we are working together to educate students in an industry we both love." 

Hospitality innovation students are required to log 500 pre-internship hours in work-related industry environments. The Big Night fundraiser teaches students to plate and serve food, and to accommodate up to 400 guests in a recreational environment rather than a fine dining setting.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.