Mark B. Rosenberg, FIU President (far left) presents the Torch Award to Adam Stewart, CEO Sandals Resorts International; alongside Rocco Angelo, Associate Dean, FIU School of Hospitality & Tourism Management (second from right); and Jack Gonzalez, FIU Alumni Association President. — Photo by FIU

Florida International University Alumni Association honored School of Hospitality and Tourism Management alumnus Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International , with a Torch Award during the 10th annual Awards Gala on Saturday, March 19. Stewart was recognized as one of the university's most outstanding alumni for his contributions to the hospitality industry, the community and FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, one of the leading programs of its kind in the world offering an unmatched experiential learning environment to those studying hotel, foodservice and travel-related industries.

"We are proud to have Adam Stewart among our growing number of distinguished alumni, now among the ranks of those moving the hospitality industry forward," said Mike Hampton, Dean of Florida International University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. "Stewart is most deserving of the Torch Award because in addition to his career achievements, he also exemplifies FIU's Worlds Ahead mission of going beyond what is expected, providing a leading example to our students of what they can become."

Upon graduation in 2003, with a degree in hospitality management from the FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Stewart immediately joined Sandals Resorts International, which his father, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart launched in 1981. He performed various jobs within the company, from reservations and meetings and incentives, to technology and public relations, before taking over as CEO in 2006. Stewart also founded the Sandals Foundation in 2008 to protect the ecosystems of the areas in which they have resorts and hotels.

"I am honored to be recognized as a leader in the hospitality industry by the institution that helped cultivate my knowledge in the field," said Stewart. "I have worked vigorously to act on the principles I learned from both Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and from my father, and attribute much of the success that I have achieved thus far to both of them."

Previous FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management alumni who have won Torch Awards include Humberto "Burt" Cabanas '76, CEO, Benchmark Hospitality; Philip S. Goldfarb '79, President, Fontainebleau Hotel; and Lani Kane-Hanan '84, Senior VP, Marriott Vacation Club.

About the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Florida International University is a Top 50 public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. High research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers. FIU serves a diverse student body of more than 58,000 and 260,000 Panther alumni. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.

Rebecca Rakitin
M. Silver Associates
954-765-3636
FIU