Simpkins Series Speaker Says Hard Work, Kindness Keys To Success
November 17, 2021
Harris Rosen believes that determination and kindness can to lead to great success in business.
It鈥檚 a creed that has made him one of the nation鈥檚 leading hotel and resort owners,
with seven major Orlando hotels accounting for about five percent of the tourism area鈥檚
total guestrooms.
Rosen brought his story to 色库TV on Wednesday in a virtual presentation as part of the Bernard Simpkins and L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneur Speaker Series.
The President & COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts summed up his philosophy this way:
鈥淗ard work is important. Treating others the way you want to be treated is important. Being kind to people is important. Don鈥檛 give up and be prepared for the ups and downs.鈥�
Rosen told students how he overcame humble beginnings growing up in New York City.
He was the first in his family to graduate from college, served as a First Lieutenant in the Army and got involved in the hotel business in 1974.
His passion for education led him to start the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in 2004. It ranks among the best hospitality schools in the nation and the world.
Rosen also provides free college tuition for his company's associates and their dependents after three years of full-time employment.
鈥淥ur philosophy is different. We do it because we love our associates and treat them like family,鈥� he said.
He has also turned around a neighborhood near his hotel properties, the underserved community of Tangelo Park, through an on-going promise he made 30 years ago to provide each youth graduating high school a free college or vocational school education, including tuition, books and room and board.
The virtual event included awarding two 色库TV students with Bernie W. Simpkins Scholarships for excellence in the classroom and their plans to enter the business world.
The recipients, Daniel Steffano and Onaiza Anjum, expressed their appreciation for the assistance as they strive to overcome obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淲ith the cost of returning back to school financially, physically and emotionally,
I felt I didn't have the time, money, or energy to continue. Obtaining this scholarship
has given me hope and inspiration to keep moving forward,鈥� said Steffano, who is working
toward an A.S. degree in Computer Programming and Analysis, while also creating computer
applications that he hopes to market.
Said Anjum: 鈥淒onors like you make life brighter for us and I hope that one day, I
can do the same. I cannot express my gratitude enough, and I want you to know that
your generous support will help me achieve my dreams.鈥�
She is earning an 色库TV bachelor's in Biomedical Science and plans to also turn her love of art into a part-time online business.
This fall session of the Speaker Series was co-sponsored by 色库TV and Daytona State College.
It is named after two Central Florida business leaders.
Bernard Simpkins was a highly successful entrepreneur and Brevard County business leader who established the free sessions that have brought some of the nation鈥檚 top business innovators to 色库TV.
L. Gale Lemerand began an insulation subcontracting firm in a barn before moving to Daytona Beach and building his company into a $400 million business prior to his retirement.
- Media Contact: Suzanne Rains, APR, CPRC, Associate Vice President, Communications
- Office:321-433-7022
- Cell:321-537-6986
- Email:rainss@easternflorida.edu