Definition of "Professional" by the HR Manager by one of the Hotels of the Chain of 5-Star Luxury Hotels

Dear members,
Today for the campus placement, recruitment team of a 5-star luxury hotel chain had visited prominent B-school. At the beginning, HR Manager gave presentation about the hotel chain. Later he had open discussion with the students. In the course of interaction, he asked what they understand by being "professional". Students gave varied replies.
Lastly, he told that "for me, a professional is one who works for money"!
HR Manager could have been discreet while talking in front of students. They are stepping into the corporate world and they cannot develop wrong notions of management concepts. Secondly, HR Manager had visited on the behalf of his company and not in his personal capacity. Therefore, he had no business to express his personal views.
If we apply his logic, then even mercenary is also a "professional"!
Of course the HR Manager has luxury of inventing his definition but such experiments (or rather tinkering of the basic concepts) cannot be done in front of students. He could have written his blog or a book to prove his definition. He could have explored these ideas in front of the seasoned HR professionals of NHRD or NIPM but as it was a campus placement, his claim went uncontested.
Nevertheless, the incident casts a doubt on the "professionalism" of the HR Manager. Do you agree?
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

As per my understanding professional means dedication to one's profession. When we say someone is a professional singer or dancer that means they respect their profession and they put their 100% to excel in their area. Once they excel in their field then money runs after them not professional runs after the money.
The definition of 'professional'said by the HR manager sounds selfish and it is against the principle of management. If job seeker joins there and follow his advice then the HR Manager himself will be responsible for high employee turn over.

"for me, a professional is one who works for money"
The statement shows a shallow understanding of the term and role.
A professional is a member of a profession or any person who earns their LIVING from a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skills necessary to perform their specific role within that profession. In addition, most professionals are subject to strict codes of conduct, enshrining rigorous ethical and moral obligations.[Wikipedia}
Merely working for money means mercenary.
Speaking in this direction using the term-working for money" was inappropriate in front of newly minted students who would be entering real life work areas.
I do hope the person reads these comments and discussion on CVitehr and avoids being facetious in front of newbies especially.