The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University has joined Marriott International's Autograph Collection soft brand.
Owned by Purdue University and managed by White Lodging, The Union Club Hotel was built in 1929 as an extension to the Purdue Memorial Union and underwent a complete renovation during the 2019–2020 academic year. The property is decorated in Purdue’s gold-and-black color scheme with deliberate nods to academia.
The Union Club Hotel has 16 meeting spaces, including ballrooms, boardrooms and an outdoor patio.
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By collaborating with Purdue’s and newly named White Lodging – J.W. Marriott School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the hotel acts as a hands-on learning space for students. Aspiring hospitality professionals can spend time working and learning about hotel and restaurant operations while earning college credits. Joining the Autograph Collection gives students additional learning opportunities, as the systems, processes and resources used to operate the hotel are supported by Marriott International.
“Throughout history, generations of Purdue graduates have left their mark, in small steps and giant leaps,” Vicki Wicks, general manager of The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University, Autograph Collection, said in a statement. “Joining Autograph Collection Hotels is a giant leap for Purdue’s hospitality program and further reinforces the world-class amenities we offer at The Union Club Hotel.”
The Union Club Hotel also hosts the Launch Hospitality Immersion Program. Directed by White Lodging, Launch is a planned multi-year talent development program crafted to propel a select number of university students into the industry by providing paid, hands-on experience at the hotel and internship/job opportunities at White Lodging.