The Delta Air Lines Foundation has pledged $5 million to the University of Georgia Hospitality and Food Industry Management program, situated within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. As a frontrunner in the hospitality and travel industry, Delta’s dedication to contributing to communities and enriching the student experience at UGA will yield significant effects on the sector for many years ahead.
This funding will broaden practical learning opportunities for students by initiating the revamp of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel — a segment of UGA’s Public Service and Outreach and the main training facility for HFIM students — to incorporate teaching spaces for event management, culinary arts, and hotel operations. The planned renovation aims to create a cutting-edge event management lab, beverage management lab, and an advanced, fully operational teaching kitchen.
“Delta has consistently been an essential collaborator with the University of Georgia, and their influence resonates throughout our campus,” stated President Jere W. Morehead. “I appreciate their unwavering support for UGA’s Hospitality and Food Industry Management program, which will provide our students with hands-on learning experiences that will place them at the leading edge of this crucial industry in Georgia.”
The HFIM program at UGA ranks #2 nationally among public colleges delivering a hospitality major and is the second-fastest growing undergraduate major at UGA, boasting a 335% growth rate since 2019. The program aspires to double its enrollment in the next five years to address the increasing demand for talent in the hospitality sector.
Brent Miller, a student in the HFIM program and ambassador for CAES, remarked that the program’s design offers students an immersive, hands-on learning experience through internships, engaging classes, and networking opportunities.
“As a student aspiring to own a restaurant in the future, this program equips me with valuable knowledge from every course I have taken. Our instructors excel in conveying industry standards, research, and performance metrics,” he noted. “I am fortunate to call myself a UGA Hospitality Dawg, and I eagerly anticipate seeing how this contribution from The Delta Air Lines Foundation shapes our program.”
Hospitality and tourism together create Georgia’s second-largest industry, employing 10% of the state’s workforce and generating over $64 billion yearly in economic impact. From 2020 to 2030, employment growth in leisure, hospitality, accommodation, and food service is projected to exceed 30%.
“The hospitality program has experienced remarkable growth since 2019, and, as students, we couldn’t be more proud. With each new enrollment, our program continues to develop strong and adaptable industry leaders,” said Georgia Gordon, another HFIM student and CAES ambassador. “HFIM emphasizes community, and we are genuinely thankful to Delta for supporting ours.”
Fostering practical learning experiences has been the foundation of Delta’s vibrant alliance with the university. The Delta Innovation Hub offers university, community, and industry partners a space to collaborate with students and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship. Delta Hall, which recently marked its 10th anniversary, serves as the primary location for UGA students who travel to Washington, D.C., for internships or other experiential learning initiatives. Delta Air Lines is also among the top 25 employers of UGA graduates.
“We aim to equip UGA students with practical skills and experiences to prepare them to excel in this vibrant industry,” expressed Tad Hutcheson, senior vice president of The Delta Air Lines Foundation. “The hospitality sector holds the capacity to positively influence our communities and our economy in the future.
“It is only logical that UGA and Delta Air Lines would lead the way in this growth.”
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