Marriott classroom opens
Marriott Foundation funds new hands-on classroom inside Courtyard at UD
2:32 p.m., Oct. 16, 2015--This fall marked the dedication of an innovative new classroom at the Marriott Courtyard at the University of Delaware.
This addition, made possible by a generous donation from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, is often fondly referred to as “ALICE” – Advanced Learning Interactive Classroom Environment – after Ms. Marriott.
Campus Stories
From graduates, faculty
Doctoral hooding
At ALICE, students in the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM) at UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics experience the real hotel industry, just as they will in their future careers.
The classroom is equipped with seven flat screen monitors and numerous glass writing surfaces, allowing educators to easily use the classroom as both a traditional lecture classroom and a collaborative student-centered workspace.
The room also features two high-definition video camera systems for teleconferencing and distance education, enabling faculty to engage with guest speakers and students across the world.
“This hotel and classroom exemplify what we do at the Lerner College,” said Lerner College Dean Bruce Weber. “We take students out of the classroom and give them the opportunity for practical applications for that knowledge. We are putting our investment and our energy into providing experiences outside of the classroom for our students.”
HRIM Chairperson Sheryl Kline agreed, saying, “Our students learn by doing. They practice, reflect and do it again.”
Bill Sullivan, hotel managing director and adjunct instructor of HRIM, added that the new classroom enables the HRIM department to triple the number of students who gain valuable experiences at the Marriott Courtyard at UD.
All speakers thanked the Marriott Foundation for their continued support of the Lerner College and the Department of HRIM.
“This support provides resources that allow our students to develop the skills needed for success in the hospitality industry today,” Weber said. “It is truly a great partnership, a true collaboration between education and industry.”
Mireille Cottle, vice president of human resources–talent management for the Americas with Marriott International, said that Marriott and UD have had a longstanding successful relationship.
“The Marriott family, foundation and company value your students and we are honored to support your design and your dedication to tourism and to hospitality,” Cottle said.
“From scholarship support to the Marriott Center for Hospitality and Tourism, the Marriott Foundation has donated over $1.5 million to the University,” Cottle continued. “And the ROI (return on investment) has been outstanding.”
Cottle said that over the past 15 years Marriott has hired hundreds of UD graduates as management trainees, interns, trainees and managers. Currently Marriott has over 75 managers from UD working at their various locations.
“We recognize that the students get a strong operational foundation and background to our lodging here at the Courtyard,” Cottle said. “We also know that they get great food and beverage experiences at Vita Nova. And it really does pay off.”
“When I hear you say that it’s all about teaching to the experience, because that’s what we do in the real world, I’m very pleased to hear that and I’m so proud of our partnership,” she said.
Cottle then gave some advice to students about how they can put the resources in the new classroom to good use.
“You are the future of our industry, and it’s an exciting time. So put your best foot forward. Take on opportunities to make a difference. Be part of the solution.”
Students should strive, she said, to “be leaders who can find the synergy between the experience of seasoned associates and the innovation of new leaders to take our industry and Marriott into the next generation of the hospitality industry.”
Article by Sunny Rosen
Photos by Lane McLaughlin and Doug Baker