#1 Metro State is rising
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Metro State Board of Trustee member and ceremony emcee Dawn Bookhardt kicked off the March 31, 2011 groundbreaking for the Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center (HLC), scheduled to be completed fall 2012.
#2 The place to be
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More than 250 faculty, staff, students and business leaders were in attendance on a beautiful day for the groundbreaking ceremony.
#3 A milestone event for College
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Acknowledging boards and individuals responsible for turning the idea for the Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center into a reality, Metro State President Stephen Jordan said, “You will leave a lasting legacy here at Metro State.”
#4 Funded with no taxpayer dollars
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The HLC and the Student Success Building, which held its groundbreaking in December 2010, bring a total of $110 million in construction projects without using any taxpayer dollars. Both will be located on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver.
#5 The future
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An architectural model of the HLC that will offer a fully functioning flagged hotel—SpringHill Suites® by Marriott—and a learning laboratory for the College’s growing cadre of students in its Hospitality, Tourism and Events (HTE) Department.
#6 Record enrollment
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The HTE program has seen record enrollment. As of 2010 fall semester, the student headcount of nearly 600 declared HTE majors represents a near doubling of enrollment over the last five years.
#7 Denver Mayor speaks at groundbreaking
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Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal said the economic potential of the upcoming HLC “fits what we are trying to do downtown.”
#8 Rowdy takes part in ceremony
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Metro State President Stephen Jordan is joined by the College’s mascot, Rowdy the Roadrunner, during the groundbreaking ceremony.
#9 An investment in students
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Sage Hospitality CEO Walter Isenberg, who pledged $250,000 toward the HLC said, he was excited that 100 percent of the profits of the hotel will go back to the Metro State Foundation to provide scholarships for students.
#10 Strengthening tomorrow's economy
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(l-r) Sage Hospitality CEO Walter Isenberg, Metro State President Stephen Jordan, Metro State Board of Trustees member Dawn Bookhardt, Denver Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, HTE Chair John Dienhart, and Colorado Tourism Director Al White.
#11 State-of-the-art teaching, learning
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(l-r) Metro State Foundation Board member Navin Dimond, HTE Associate Chair Chad Gruhl and Chair John Dienhart take part in the momentous occasion for the College as it reinforces its leadership role in the hospitality industry.
#12 Day brings out College leaders
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(l-r) Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Vicki Golich and Vice President for Administration, Finance and Facilities Natalie Lutes.
