Kemmons Wilson

U of M hotel school gets $1.5 million gift
Tom Bailey Jr.
GoMemphis.com
January 29, 2002

A hotel chain announced Monday it is giving the University of Memphis a $1.5 million endowment for the new Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management.

The gift from Six Continents Hotels will create a scholarship fund for women and minority students and establish a chair of excellence for the hospitality school.

The gift, said John Sweetwood, president of Six Continents Hotels, The Americas, "represents our company's commitment to preserve Kemmons Wilson's legacy by investing in the future of the lodging industry. . . .

"Six Continents Hotels is committed to building management capability and leadership for the future, and we believe that this leadership must reflect the overall population."

The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management will include a Holiday Inn with 82 rooms.

Kemmons Wilson opened the first Holiday Inn in 1952 in Memphis.

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