Johnson & Wales University professor and department chair Michael Sabitoni, received the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Martin Oppermann Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award recognizes and honors an individual who has provided significant service to the society. The award is given once every three years.

Sabitoni leads The Center for Food & Beverage Management and The Center for International Travel/Tourism Studies in the School of Hospitality. He is a member of the Sabitoni is a member of the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation Board of Directors. Sabitoni has been involved with the ISTTE since 1997 and was its president from 2006-2010. He has served on the National Tourism Foundation Educational Advisory Council and has developed curriculum for the National Academy Foundation.

A Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), Sabitoni has been a member of the faculty of Johnson & Wales University for 24 years, and has been instrumental in sustaining its internationally-recognized School of Hospitality.

"This award is quite an honor given its infrequency and the vast international membership of the ISTTE," Michael Petrillose, Ph.D., dean of the College of Management, notes. "In addition to Mike's outstanding contributions to the education of thousands of JWU students over the years, he has been an inspiration to his peers and colleagues."

Sabitoni is a resident of Cranston, R.I.

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 16,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its four campuses in Providence, R.I.; North Miami, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Charlotte, N.C. An innovative educational leader, the university offers degree programs in arts and sciences, business, culinary arts, education, nutrition, hospitality, physician assistant studies, engineering and design. Its unique model integrates arts and sciences and industry-focused education with work experience and leadership opportunities, inspiring students to achieve professional success and lifelong personal growth. The university"s impact is global, with alumni from 119 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit www.jwu.edu.