NASHVILLE — Gaylord Entertainment Corp. and Opryland Hotel have given $25,000 to enhance the University of Tennessee’s hotel and tourism management program.
“The hospitality, hotel, travel and tourism industry requires managers with strong and diverse skills,” Dave Jones, president of Gaylord Entertainment’s Opryland Hospitality Group, said. “UT can help create tomorrow’s industry leaders.”
Hotel and tourism management is one of three concentrations in the UT College of Human Ecology’s new service management program, Dean Jim Moran said. The others are in retail and consumer sciences, and restaurant and food services management.
“I am pleased that we already have several graduates in various positions with Opryland,” Moran said. “This gift is an important part of a long-term relationship.”
In addition to the 2,882-room Opryland Hotel here, Gaylord plans to open a 1,400-room Opryland Hotel Florida in 2002 and a 1,500-room facility in Texas in 2003.