Industry Partners

The Collins College of Hospitality Management may be a public institution, yet a tradition of philanthropy from industry partners has enabled the college to grow significantly in infrastructure, reputation and quality of education.

The college has fostered a strong alignment to industry trends and commitment from industry leaders since its formation in 1973. The growth and maturation of the program during the past 35 years is due largely to the unwavering support from industry partners. Private funding has allowed the college to build 43,000 square feet of high-tech facilities including classrooms, laboratories, the Restaurant Kellogg Ranch, and a living wine library for applied food and beverage instruction.

The college also benefits from more than $11 million in endowments. Interest earned from these endowments is used to support student scholarships, faculty development and alumni outreach.

Generous donors such as Carol and Jim Collins, Hae and Shina Park, Peggy and Andrew Cherng, and Mary Alice and Richard N. Frank have allowed the college to grow and flourish throughout the years. Additionally, numerous companies such as Darden Restaurants, Disney, Handlery Hotels, Marriott, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt, and Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. have bolstered the quality of education at The Collins College through generous contributions.

The college remains on the forefront of industry trends by working hand-in-hand with its Board of Advisors. This group of key hospitality leaders ensures the program’s methods and practices are consistent with those of the industry and that its curriculum is aligned with industry needs.

Throughout the academic year, numerous industry leaders visit campus as guest speakers sharing keen insights into their careers. The college's signature keynote speaking event is the annual Richard N. Frank Distinguished Lectureship Series.

Of recent note, the college completed a campaign in 2011 to raise $10 million for an academic building expansion. In 2008, Carol and Jim Collins pledged to match up to $5 million to build the $10 million educational complex. Panda Restaurant Group founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng, donated $2.5 million; The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation gave $2 million; and prominent Inland Empire businessman Eugene Park donated $1 million to the college. The expansion will include two buildings. Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2013 and completed in the spring of 2015.

Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Award

Hospitality Uncorked postcard

The college has shown its appreciation to individuals whose vision and leadership have advanced the wine and food industry with the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Award. The award has typically been given during the college's annual fundraising gala.

The Collins College and its Board of Advisors Caroline Betetaare pleased to announce that Caroline Beteta will be honored with the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Award at the 2013 Hospitality Uncorked for her important work to promote California. As president and CEO of Visit California, which is the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), Beteta has enormous influence on how California is portrayed worldwide. She is responsible for implementing the commission’s $50 million marketing plan and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s $102 billion tourism industry. Travel has an enormous impact on the success of all aspects of the hospitality industry such as food, beverage and lodging. For more information visit, please visit www.hospitalityuncorked.com.

The inaugural Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Award was presented to Margrit and Robert Mondavi in 1999. Julia Child, Alice Waters, Carol and Jim Collins, Bruce J. Schwartz, Richard N. Frank, Leslie and Bob Spivak, Carl Karcher, Steve Slater and Steele Platt have each received this award in subsequent years. Sam Nazarian, Founder, Chairman and CEO of sbe, is the 2012 Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Award recipient. He was honored March 3, 2011 at Hospitality Uncorked.

The Hospitality Leader of the Year Award

The Collins College also pays tribute to a visionary individual or company whose dynamic leadership, innovative achievements, and on-going commitment to excellence have inspired groundbreaking advancements in the hospitality industry with the Hospitality Leader of the Year Award. The inaugural award went to Walt Disney Co. CFO Jay Rasulo in 2009. In 2010, the college honored Chip Conely, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longtime benefactors Carol and Jim Collins are the namesakes of the college.
Longtime benefactors Carol and Jim Collins are the namesakes of the college.

Eugene, Shina and Hae Park have contributed significantly to the college. Hae and Eugene are both alumni.

Eugene, Shina and Hae Park have contributed significantly to the college. Hae and Eugene are both alumni.

Richard and Mary Alice Frank have supported the college for more than 25 years.

Richard and Mary Alice Frank have supported the college for more than 25 years. The college's Distinguished Lectureship Series is named on behalf of Richard Frank.

Peggy and Andrew Cherng
Contributions from Peggy and Andrew Cherng have been used for many
things including the refurbishment of the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch kitchen in 2009.