Purdue University trustees voted on Oct. 1 to rename the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in honor of the White family’s longstanding financial and in-kind support. At the request of Bruce White, White Lodging’s founder and CEO, the school’s name will also honor the career and contributions of J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board of Marriott International.
Effective immediately, Purdue’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management will officially be known as the White Lodging - J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Bruce and Beth White’s and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation’s $5 million pledge provides the foundation for an honors program in hospitality, an endowed scholarship for top hospitality students and a named headship in the school. This follows Bruce and Beth White’s and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation’s pledge of $30 million in the aggregate in 2018 to Purdue for the transformation of the historic Union Club Hotel.
“Our goal is to create an environment that allows associates to be their best selves and grow through training, development and mentorship,” Bruce White said. “This goal stands as a foundation that Bill and the Marriott team built for the hospitality industry and continue to support at all levels. I’m very appreciative of Bill’s support throughout our time together and proud that we can play a role in creating the next generation of hospitalitarians at Purdue—at a time when it’s needed more than ever.”
“I am delighted and humbled by this incredible recognition,” J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. said. “We have had a wonderful relationship with White Lodging and Bruce and Beth White for decades. The relationship with Purdue is also a longstanding one, and I am grateful to be part of this initiative preparing future hospitality leaders.”
The Marriott family has a longstanding relationship with Purdue, including The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation providing the lead donation of $5 million in 2012 to create Marriott Hall on Purdue’s campus. The Marriott family also supports the annual Marriott Executive in the Classroom series, which brings top leaders from across all segments of the hospitality industry to West Lafayette, Indiana, to engage with students about the industry’s exciting career pathways and visit with faculty to provide business insights to advance the students’ learning experience.
“The generous endowment to support a named headship will allow the College of Health and Human Sciences to attract a creative, visionary and transformative leader of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management,” said Purdue Dean Marion Underwood. “The gift also provides vitally important support for exceptional students to pursue an education in finance and hospitality.”
Union Club Hotel
As part of the announcement of the school’s name change, Marriott International, White Lodging and Purdue are working toward an agreement to designate the Union Club Hotel at Purdue as an Autograph Collection Hotel. Autograph Collection hotels are a collection of more than 200 independent hotels around the world hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality.
In 2020, the nearly 92-year-old, 182-room Union Club Hotel reopened on campus after a comprehensive $35 million, yearlong transformation. The project involved a complete overhaul of all guest rooms and public spaces, as well as the creation of three dining concepts honoring Purdue’s legacy. Original Purdue architecture and academic-inspired design are preserved in carpet patterns, upholstery, room fixtures and countless other elements in the hotel.
The hotel is also used as a hands-on learning laboratory for Purdue hospitality students where they spend time working and learning about hotel and restaurant operations while earning college credits. Additionally, the Union Club Hotel is host to the White Lodging Launch Hospitality Immersion Program designed to propel high-caliber university students into the industry by providing paid, hands-on experience.
The transition is expected to occur in early 2022.
“While the definition of hospitality hasn’t changed, the business of hospitality has evolved greatly—even before the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bruce White said. “The industry is complex, and the key to thrive like we have in the past is by developing a generation of college graduates with advanced critical thinking, financial, business and service skills. There’s no question that hospitality remains an incredible career choice.”