UGA hospitality program takes flight with $5M from The Delta Air Lines Foundation
Longstanding partnership between Georgia-based airline giant and flagship university puts the spotlight on Southern hospitality.
The Delta Air Lines Foundation has committed $5 million to the University of Georgia Hospitality and Food Industry Management (HFIM) program, which is housed in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. A leader in the hospitality and travel sector, Delta’s commitment to investing in communities and enhancing the student experience at UGA will make an impact on the industry for years to come.
The investment will expand hands-on learning opportunities for students by launching the renovation of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel — a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach and the primary training ground for HFIM students — to include teaching facilities for event management, culinary arts and hotel operations. The proposed renovation will provide a state-of-the-art event management lab, beverage management lab and a cutting-edge, fully functional teaching kitchen.
“Delta has long been a critical partner of the University of Georgia, and their impact can be felt in every corner of our campus,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I am grateful for their steadfast support of UGA’s Hospitality and Food Industry Management program, which will ensure our students have access to hands-on learning opportunities that will position them at the forefront of this important industry in Georgia.”
The HFIM program at UGA ranks #2 nationally for public colleges offering a hospitality major and is the second-fastest growing undergraduate major at UGA with a 335% growth rate since 2019. The program plans to double enrollment in the next five years to meet the growing demand for talent in the hospitality industry.
Brent Miller, a student in the HFIM program and ambassador for CAES, said that the program’s structure gives students an immersive, hands-on learning experience through internships, engaging classes and networking opportunities.
“As a student who wants to own a restaurant one day, this program is preparing me with every class that I’ve taken. Our professors are exceptional at communicating industry expectations, research and performance metrics,” he said. “I am blessed to say that I am a UGA Hospitality Dawg, and I can’t wait to see how this gift from The Delta Air Lines Foundation molds our program.”
Hospitality and tourism combine to form Georgia’s second-largest industry, employing 10% of the state’s population and generating more than $64 billion annually in economic impact. Between 2020 and 2030, job growth in leisure, hospitality, accommodation and food service is expected to rise by more than 30%.
“The hospitality program has seen incredible growth since 2019, and, as students, we couldn’t be prouder. With every new enrollment, our program continues to shape strong and versatile industry leaders,” said Georgia Gordon, another HFIM student and CAES ambassador. “HFIM is all about community, and we are truly grateful to Delta for investing in ours.”
Creating hands-on learning opportunities has been the cornerstone of Delta’s dynamic partnership with the university. The Delta Innovation Hub provides university, community and industry partners the space to collaborate with students and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Delta Hall, which celebrated its tenth anniversary this spring, serves as the home base for UGA students who travel to Washington, D.C., for internships or other experiential learning opportunities. Delta Air Lines also is one of the top 25 employers of UGA graduates.
“We want to provide UGA students with real-world skills and experience to prepare them to lead in this vibrant industry,” said Tad Hutcheson, senior vice president of The Delta Air Lines Foundation. “The hospitality industry has the potential to positively impact our communities and our economy in the years to come.
“It only makes sense that UGA and Delta Air Lines would be at the forefront of that growth.”
