Olo Founder Speaks at Associate Degree Ceremony
Hyde Park, NY – In
a pair of commencement ceremonies at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of
America, 175 new graduates launched careers in the exciting food world. Tony
Simmons, whose McIlhenny Company makes Tabasco
products, was keynote speaker at the baccalaureate graduation on December 20.
The following day, Noah Glass, founder of the New York City-based technology
company Olo, addressed associate degree graduates.
Mr. Simmons is the great-great-grandson of Edmund McIlhenny, creator of the original Tabasco pepper sauce,
and—as president and chief executive officer—is the seventh family member to
run the company.
“With your graduation, you are beginning your journey,” Mr.
Simmons told recipients of diplomas in Food Business Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies. “Where
you start in life is not important. Where you end up is.”
Louisiana-based McIlhenny has been
a longtime supporter of CIA students; the Tabasco Brand/McIlhenny
Company Scholarship is the longest-running scholarship program at the
college.
On December 21, graduates receiving associate degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts heard from Mr. Glass, founder and CEO of Olo, a
leading provider of restaurant digital ordering platforms. The company name
comes from “OnLine Ordering” and clients include
well-known chains such as Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Jamba Juice,
and Baskin-Robbins. In 2006, Mr. Glass was named a Top Entrepreneur Under 25 by Businessweek, and Business Insider has recognized him on its Silicon Alley 100 list,
calling him one of the “most inspiring and influential people in New York
tech.”
The full bachelor’s and associate degree ceremonies are archived at LiveStream.com and can be viewed online. Due
to its rolling enrollment schedule, the CIA’s New York campus holds 16
associate and three bachelor’s degree graduations each year.
Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images:
Photo 1 (top photo): CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan
(speaking) proclaims Tony Simmons an ambassador of
The Culinary Institute of America after the McIlhenny Co. president
and CEO delivered the baccalaureate graduation address at the
college’s New York campus on December 20, 2016. (Photo credits: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res image >
Photo 2: Restaurant industry technology entrepreneur Noah Glass speaks to associate
degree graduates at The Culinary Institute of America’s New York campus on
December 21, 2016. Glass is founder and CEO of the mobile ordering company Olo. (Photo credits:
CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res image >
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and
hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree
majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate
degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education
through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs
and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting
services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its
worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the
food business. The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and
Singapore.
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