Duncan Kirkwood Is Hyatt Foundation Featured Speaker at College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management’s All College Meeting

Duncan Kirkwood, a global speaker, author, and educator, was the featured presenter at the Niagara University College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management's bi-annual All College Meeting, Sept. 6 in the Russell Salvatore Dining Commons on the NU campus. Kirkwood's talk focused on how to make the most of the college experience and build resiliency.

"The All College Meeting is a treasured tradition at CoHST, and we were thrilled to move it to the dining commons and announce our inaugural Hyatt Foundation Featured Speaker," said Dr. Bridget Niland, dean of CoHST. "Duncan Kirkwood delivered the perfect message to our students about the importance of stepping outside their comfort zones and getting involved in all that NU and CoHST have to offer."

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Kirkwood enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard while finishing his senior year at Alabama State University. He became a master resilience trainer, discovering a passion for helping others build resilience and overcome adversity, and was inspired to pursue motivational speaking and personal development.

Kirkwood, who holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in public administration from ASU, is the author of "Rerouting: Resilience Tools and Tactics." He is the recipient of the National Policy Innovators in Education "Game Changers Award" for his exceptional work in education and personal development. In addition to his speaking and writing endeavors, he is the director of the Center for Resiliency at Villa Maria College in Buffalo.

The All College meeting is held at the beginning of each semester to highlight the opportunities, academic timelines, and events scheduled for CoHST, to introduce new faculty and staff to the students, and to provide an opportunity for students to build comradery with their peers.