Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1356169
B M & T ••• March/April 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41 hospitality industry. Howard University, one of the nation's finest historically Black colleges and universi- ties, is ideally suited to partner with us, given the extraor- dinary students it serves." "Lack of diversity in the executive ranks of companies across America has long been a headline and has been further elevated in the national conversation as we are in this important moment of racial reckoning," said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President, Howard University. "Through this partnership with The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and Marriott International, we are best positioned to further our existing commitment and address this most pressing issue. As I have gotten to know the Marriott family over the years, I have been impressed with their commitment to the community and excellence. This program will be a game changer for Howard University students and the hospitality industry by designing unique educational opportunities that meet the future demands of the industry, shaping the already promising talents and passions of our business students, and connecting those students with meaningful careers in the industry. What we are creating is a direct connec- tion between an industry that is on the edge of change and a top caliber talent pool for them to recruit from," Dr. Frederick said. (bu)World-class Hospitality Curriculum(ebu) The announcement establishes the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership as well as the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund, which will support the pro- grammatic and career development elements of the Center. The experiential components of this new pro- gram, including access to top hospitality executives and industry leaders for Howard students, will make this cur- riculum appealing and unique. The Marriott family foun- dation and Howard University will work together to form a hospitality industry advisory council to design a program that will draw on the university's ideal location in the geographic heart of the hospitality industry— Greater Washington, D.C.—where Marriott and many other hospitality companies are headquartered. In addi- tion to advising on the development of a world-class hos- pitality curriculum, the Center's advisory council mem- bers will serve as guest lecturers and mentors and pro- vide hands-on learning opportunities for students. The council will include representatives from Howard, the Marriott family foundation and Marriott International as well as corporate hospitality executives, industry practi- tioners, association leaders and academics who together will develop a hospitality program focused on traditional and experiential learning opportunities. The goal will be to expose students to the hospitality industry through a management lens. To learn more about the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership and the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund, or to make a donation, please visit www.howard.edu/sorensonfund. To make a major gift, please contact: Dawn Ridley, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Giving via phone or email at (202) 238-2350 or Dawn.Ridley@howard.edu. ABOUT ARNE SORENSON Arne M. Sorenson was President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, Inc., from 2012 until his passing in February 2021. In his role, he presided over the world's largest hospitality company and some of the most iconic brands in travel. Mr. Sorenson built his tenure on the bedrock of Marriott International's core values: putting people first, pursuing excellence, acting with integrity, embracing change and serving our world. Mr. Sorenson led the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in 2016, resulting in a dramatic expan- sion of Marriott's ability to provide unparalleled guest experiences around the world. The company now has more than 7,600 properties across 133 countries and ter- ritories and 30 brands. The merger also created the travel industry's largest customer-loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, which has more than 147 million members. An outspoken corporate leader, Mr. Sorenson advo- cated for environmental sustainability, human rights, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Under his leadership, Marriott International was recognized extensively, including by Fortune in 2020 as one of the World's Most Admired Companies and DiversityInc as one of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. In 2019, Mr. Sorenson was named CEO of the Year by Chief Executive magazine and was placed on Forbes' list of America's Most Innovative Leaders and Barron's list of the World's Best CEOs. (bu)About Marriott International(ebu) Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,600 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 133 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly awarded travel pro- gram. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.mariottnewscenter.com. ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and profes- sional degrees. The University operates with a commit- ment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has pro- duced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu.