The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona is one step closer to the goal of adding four new academic buildings to its campus, thanks to a $2 million gift from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
College officials said Wednesday that the gift will be matched by the college’s namesakes and long-time supporters Carol and Jim Collins, who have pledged to match up to $5 million toward the campaign.
“This donation is pivotal as The Collins College embarks on a $10 million expansion plan,” said Andy Feinstein, the college’s dean, in a statement. “In giving us this gift, the Marriott Foundation is making an investment in hospitality management education, thus they are investing in the future of the hospitality industry. I am grateful for their support.”
Jim Collins is chairman emeritus of the Sizzler chain and an industry veteran who was one of Harlan Sanders' first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisees.
Culinary schools across the country have experienced growth in various ways recently. Earlier this year, The Culinary Institute of America launched a third campus in San Antonio, where the program will emphasize Latin American cuisine. The campus and a related scholarship endowment was funded with a $35 million gift from Kit Goldsbury, former owner of the Pace picante sauce company.
This week the Professional Culinary Institute in Campbell, Calif., was acquired by the International Culinary Center, based in New York. The center also has a training program in Ireland and is working on developing new programs in Asia.
Lisa McPheron, director of communications and external relations for the Collins college, said the goal of their campaign is to build a cluster of four buildings that would house new faculty offices, a student commons/lounge area, and classrooms for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
The Collins school this fall launched its first master of sciences degree in hospitality management, the only such degree currently available in California.
McPheron said the Collins school has seen enrollment grow 46 percent over the past four years, and currently the college has about 1,000 students.
The hospitality school is one of seven academic colleges at the 21,000-student Cal Poly Pomona campus, which is located about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Cal Poly Pomona is one of the 23 campuses within the California State University system.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].