AFTER 34 years, Dr Phillip Smyth has retired as head of the Shannon College of Hotel Management.
He is succeeded by Adrian Sylver, who is the fifth head of the College since it was founded 71 years ago.
Dr Smyth joined Shannon College in 1988 after a career in the Defence Forces, with Army duties in border control, overseas and as a lecturer in the Military College.
His background had a major influence in his management style at Shannon College of Hotel Management, with attention to detail, impeccable presentation, discipline and hard work, all integral parts of the learning.
In his role, he successfully guided Shannon College of Hotel Management through three decades of immense change, from his start at the College with only four staff and 150 students, to the institution it is today with more than 40 staff and more than 450 students.
Through his time at Shannon, Dr Smyth oversaw and contributed to important milestones including Shannon’s integration within University of Galway, development of its own honours degree, extensive international placements, internationalisation of the student body, maintaining close alumni connections with the class patrons programme, and continuing Shannon’s high employment rate for undergraduates.
University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said, “Dr Philip Smyth has devoted decades to the teaching and learning of students and his legacy is the reputation for the quality of graduates who come through Shannon College of Hotel Management and work in Ireland and around the world.
“Our University values of respect, openness, excellence and sustainability are evident in the lived experience in Shannon but more so in the standards which the alumni bring with them on their careers. I wish Phillip a long and enjoyable retirement and thank him for his work.”
Speaking of Dr Smyth’s legacy, incoming Head of School Adrian Sylver said, “Phillip’s contribution to Shannon College of Hotel Management and the hospitality and tourism sector over the last 34 years has been immense.
“His tenure and leadership has brought the College to where it is today, a School of the College of Business Public Policy and Law, University of Galway.”
Dr Smyth said, “I have worked closely with Adrian Sylver for 16 years, and he has been my Deputy for the last five.
“He has the leadership skills and the drive to take Shannon College of Hotel Management to new heights. He is devoted to his students both educationally and personally and is deeply committed to maintaining our unique educational ethos.”
Adrian Sylver, is a native of Galway and he will lead Shannon College with Deputy Head of School Tracy Hegarty.
Mr Sylver has worked as a lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Shannon College since 2006, having joined from Dublin Business School where he worked as a senior academic lecturing on undergraduate, postgraduate and professional accounting programmes.
Ms Hegarty, a graduate of Shannon College, lectures in Revenue Management, Rooms Division and Information Technology and has been with the College since 1996.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.