Hospitality Director Tom Costello with program students Natalie Lennox and Noelle Lee.
Ten years ago Joan Costello, the wife of Tom Costello the Director of the University of San Francisco School of Business and Professional Studies’ Hospitality Industry Management Program, was diagnosed with cancer. The solidarity that the students felt with Tom and his wife lead them to create a Walk-A-Thon — a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge — to raise funds for the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Care Center.
The Walk-A-Thon provides an opportunity to unite the Hospitality Industry Management community while raising significant sums to help fund women’s cancer research. The walk, although it particularly marks the students’ love for Joan Costello, who participated herself until her death three year ago, also pays tribute to all the women in their lives — mothers, sisters, wives, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, friends — who have been touched by this disease.
The event is made particularly special by delicious boxed breakfasts, a mark of the Hospitality Program, but also, as Tom Costello has said, the event is a reminder of the true meaning of service. “ It helps to remind us all that Hospitality is about service, in the truest sense, and our program is meant to teach not just business service, but a commitment to being of service in everything we do.”
Watch the Walkathon's video here.
