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Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business launches $20 million fundraising campaign

By Kelly Ulrich
Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business is proud to announce the official launch of a $20 million fundraising initiative designed to support students, attract world-class faculty and elevate the School’s global reputation as it approaches its centennial celebration in 2027.

From its beginnings in 1927, Michigan State has been the proud home of The School of Hospitality Business. For nearly a century, Hospitality Business Spartans have driven innovation, led with integrity, and left their mark on organizations across the globe. Today, with more than 10,000 alumni, 400+ students, and a 96% undergraduate employment rate, the School continues to set the pace for excellence in the industry.

Investment in the next 100 years

The $20 million campaign focuses on five key pillars that will fuel the School’s growth and ensure it remains a global leader in hospitality business education:

  • Expanding scholarship opportunities to reach a goal of $6 million by 2030, ensuring more students have access to a world-class education.
  • Enhancing experiential learning, including $1 million in endowed support for hands-on opportunities that develop critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills.
  • Attracting top students through new recruitment and brand-elevating efforts.
  • Elevating the School’s brand and expanding engagement with alumni, industry partners, and key stakeholders around the world.
  • Securing world-class faculty, with a goal of $10–15 million in endowment support to attract and retain leading researchers and industry experts.

Recent momentum underscores the need for such an ambitious campaign. Student enrollment has grown 35% in just two years, rising from 300 to more than 400. In 2024-2025 alone, the School awarded $668,118 in undergraduate support, including academic scholarships, student travel funds and internship support.

Celebrating a century

The School will celebrate its 100-year milestone throughout 2025–2027 with a series of special announcements, events, and global engagement opportunities. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, recruiters, industry partners, and friends are invited to join in the celebration as the School honors its legacy and builds toward the future.

“Our alumni and students are at the heart of everything we do, and seeing this campaign come to life is incredibly meaningful,” said Lena Loeffler, alumni relations & engagement manager. “It’s an invitation for Spartans everywhere to come together and celebrate the impact this School has had—and the impact it will continue to have for the next 100 years.”

How to support the campaign

Supporters can make a gift, learn more about upcoming centennial activities, or explore impact opportunities by visiting:
https://broad.msu.edu/hospitality-business/100-year-anniversary/

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