Niagara University officially dedicated the Statler Foundation Hospitality House, a residential living and learning community for students studying event management at the university’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, during a ceremony on Oct. 19.
The Statler House is a refurbished Tudor-style residence hall that will now serve as both a residence hall and learning environment for students who will be part of the planning of more than 40 Niagara University special events, including conferences, symposiums, guest speakers, gala dinners, and alumni events and reunions. The center has been made possible by a grant from the Statler Foundation, a longtime partner and supporter of the institution via funding for scholarships, programs, and capital improvements. Positioned centrally on the university’s campus, the two-story residence, formerly known as Varsity Village House No. 2, has undergone a complete renovation.
“The continued generosity of the Statler Foundation has, for many years, allowed us to augment the programming and facilities for our hospitality and tourism students,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “This next phase of our transformative partnership truly exemplifies our collective vision for a living-learning laboratory at Niagara University.”
At the heart of the project is the opportunity for about 10 tourism and event management majors to live in community and supplement their classroom learning with the practical application of planning and executing university events.
“This new initiative will give students unique access to the planning, organizing, and leading of events directly leading to opportunities in hospitality careers,” said Kurt Stahura, Ph.D., dean of NU’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “We are grateful to the Statler Foundation for helping us to maintain and expand this focus, making our students even better prepared and more desirable for selection by future employers, and allowing our nationally ranked program to improve its reputation.”
The College of Hospitality and Tourism Management’s focus on practical industry applications has allowed Niagara University to build relationships with some the best hospitality companies in the industry. It is also one of the founding members of Hotel Schools of Distinction (formerly Leading Hotel Schools of the World).
Niagara University’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management offers undergraduate degree programs in hotel and restaurant management, sport and recreation management, and tourism and event management, as well as a graduate program in sport management. To learn more, please call 716.286.8279 or visit www.niagara.edu/hospitality.
The Statler Foundation was established in 1927 by the estate of hotelier Ellsworth M. Statler, whose will directed that his foundation support research and training efforts to benefit the hotel industry. In 1999, it provided $1.525 million to help transform the fourth floor of St. Vincent’s Hall at Niagara University into a top teaching and dining facility. The foundation philanthropy has also played furnished NU with funding to bolster student scholarships, develop academic programming, bring experts to campus, create cutting-edge learning spaces, and expand the college’s international programs, including joint degree offerings with partner schools in Peru and Germany.
Niagara University
Founded by the Vincentian community in 1856, Niagara University is a comprehensive institution, blending the best of a liberal arts and professional education, grounded in the values and tradition of St. Vincent de Paul. Its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management offer programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral level – each holding the highest levels of distinguished national and international accreditation.