Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business
History
History
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MSU's School of [Hospitality Business](/wiki/Hospitality_management_studies "Hospitality management studies") was founded in 1927 when the Education Committee of the Michigan Hotel Association met to discuss development of a college\-level hotel management school, after which Michigan State approved a [hotel](/wiki/Hotel "Hotel") training course. When classes started, there were 18 students majoring in the hotel training course.

In 1947, the [W. K. Kellogg Foundation](/wiki/W._K._Kellogg_Foundation "W. K. Kellogg Foundation") granted $1\.4 million for construction of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. That year, the program was also divided into three major areas of concentration: hotel management, [restaurant](/wiki/Restaurant "Restaurant") management, and institutional management.

In 1951, Kellogg Center for Continuing Education was opened. The first general manager was Weldon Garrison, a 1946 graduate of *The* School of Hospitality Business. The school's offices were moved to the Kellogg Center, enrollment increased to approximately 300, and the Les Gourmets dinner\-dance was founded as annual event.

In the 1960s, the [Eppley Foundation](/wiki/Eppley_Foundation "Eppley Foundation") granted the university $1\.5 million to build the [Eugene C. Eppley Center](/wiki/Eugene_C._Eppley_Center "Eugene C. Eppley Center") for Graduate Studies in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. The school is still housed in this building. The School became the first program in the country to offer a [Master of Business Administration](/wiki/Master_of_Business_Administration "Master of Business Administration") (MBA) degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, and enrollment reached 550\.

In the 1980s, CAREER EXPO, the nation's leading hospitality career fair, was founded. Enrollment eclipsed 1,000\. Dr. Ronald F. Cichy, an alumnus of the school, was appointed director of the school. The Visiting Distinguished Chefs Series was founded.

In the 1990s, the [Hilton](/wiki/Hilton_Hotels "Hilton Hotels") Lecture Series was founded, the school’s internship office was renamed the Student and Industry Resource Center (SIRC) and was endowed for $1 million, the First Annual Hospitality Association/Alumni Association Auction was held in the Kellogg Center, the Michael L. Minor Master of Science in [Food Service](/wiki/Food_Service "Food Service") Management was launched as a complement to the school’s MBA in [hospitality business](/wiki/Hospitality_management_studies "Hospitality management studies"), and the Hospitality Association offered its first Vegas Night.

In the 2000s, the school became independent within the [Eli Broad College of Business](/wiki/Eli_Broad_College_of_Business "Eli Broad College of Business"), the school's Alumni Association published 75th anniversary history book *The Legacy of the Leader*, the master's degree in hospitality business and the graduate specialization in hospitality business were launched, and faculty developed and launched the Hospitality Business [Real Estate](/wiki/Real_Estate "Real Estate") and Development Specialization for undergraduates.

In 2014, the school launched 12 mini\-courses that will be only available online, such as "Introduction to Hospitality and Information Systems," "Private Club and Gaming Operations," and "Foodservice and Lodging Operations." "These mini\-courses feature the same content found in the three full 8\-week courses, enabling students to complete the same Management Certificate in the Business of Hospitality credential in smaller segments.[Michigan State University Announces New Hospitality Courses Available 100% Online](http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4063865.html) HospitalityNet, 31 January 2014


What role does the W. K. Kellogg Foundation play in the hospitality industry?