Name: Griffin Whalen
Hometown: Warminster, PA
Major: Multidisciplinary studies in sport, tourism, hospitality and event management
For this School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) undergraduate, the college experience was defined not just by academic growth, but by a deep commitment to community, leadership and hands-on learning.
Griffin Whalen reflects on his time at Temple with one memory standing out above the rest: his involvement with the Ambler Student Life Board.
Serving as secretary, he played a key role in shaping a welcoming and engaging campus environment. By organizing accessible activities for students between classes, he helped foster a sense of connection that extended across both Temple’s Main and Ambler campuses.
This dual-campus involvement broadened his perspective and reinforced his appreciation for the many ways student engagement can build meaningful community.
His campus involvement didn’t stop there. He was also an active member of the Undergraduate Advisory Committee for STHM, the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality and Eta Sigma Delta. These experiences complemented his academic journey and expanded his professional network.
Griffin Whalen completed Hyatt’s Corporate Management Training Program at Hyatt Centric Park City, rotating throughout departments with a concentration in food and beverage. Now, he has transitioned into a full-time role as assistant operations manager and VIP manager. (Photo courtesy of Griffin Whalen)
That network—and his drive—helped launch an impressive series of internships with Hyatt Hotels. Over three consecutive summers, he steadily advanced through roles of increasing responsibility at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay. Starting as a restaurant lead, he gained experience in poolside operations and ordering. The following summer, as front desk lead, Whalen handled guest services and recovery while supporting evening operations. His strong performance led to an offer for a leadership role as hotel assistant manager, where he oversaw lobby operations, supported check-ins and check-outs, inspected rooms and ensured smooth day-to-day operations.
Most recently, Whalen completed Hyatt’s Corporate Management Training Program at Hyatt Centric Park City, rotating throughout departments with a concentration in food and beverage. Now, he has transitioned into a full-time role as assistant operations manager and VIP manager during the hotel’s peak winter season—an achievement that reflects both Whalen’s dedication and the strength of the foundation he built at Temple.
He credits STHM and Temple with preparing him for this success. Through coursework and experiential learning, he developed a mindset rooted in operational strategy and problem-solving.
Class projects challenged him to think critically about organizational improvement—skills he now applies daily in his professional role. Connections made at Temple and STHM career fairs, combined with his prior internship experience, helped him secure his place in Hyatt’s competitive training program.
Beyond internships and leadership roles, Whalen also distinguished himself through undergraduate research. Inspired by a marketing course taught by PhD student Peihao Wang, he explored the concept of Servicescape and its impact on employees. With the guidance and support from Wang, and STHM professors Laurie Wu and Lindsey Lee, it led Whalen to co-author and present a research proposal at the 2025 International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Eta Sigma Delta Undergraduate Research Symposium in Tampa, Florida. Presenting his work marked a full-circle moment—bridging real-world workplace observations with academic research—and stands as one of the highlights of his undergraduate career.
Looking back, Whalen’s advice to first-year students is both practical and meaningful: prioritize sleep, stay present and embrace every opportunity. Success, he emphasizes, isn’t just about working hard—it’s about fully experiencing the journey.