Nominations Open for Purdue HTM Hall of Fame Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the Purdue HTM Hall of Fame Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Purdue HTM). The award will be presented during the 28th Annual Black Tie Dinner on March 28, 2026.

The Purdue HTM Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to Purdue HTM and/or to the hospitality and tourism industry at large. Nominees are not required to be Purdue alumni; however, alumni are especially encouraged to be considered.

A key component of the nomination process is the written essay, which plays a vital role in helping the review committee fully evaluate each candidate. The essay should clearly articulate the nominee’s leadership, influence, and impact – whether through service to Purdue HTM, professional accomplishments, industry innovation, mentorship, or long-term legacy. Nominators are strongly encouraged to include detailed examples, outcomes, and context. The more comprehensive the information provided, the more effectively the committee can assess each nominee’s qualifications and contributions.

Nomination Details

Nominations must be submitted via email and include the nominee’s full name, current title and organization, contact information, and a written essay detailing their significant impact on Purdue HTM and/or the hospitality and tourism industry.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Nominations should be emailed to Abby Lillpop, Special Projects and Communications Manager, at alillpop@purdue.edu.

Resources for Nominators

To support thoughtful and competitive submissions, nominators are encouraged to review the following resources:

• Example of a Successful Nomination:
  View the successful nomination for the 2025 Purdue HTM Hall of Fame honoree, Jeremy Warriner, to better understand the level of detail and narrative depth that strengthens a nomination.
  🔗 2025 Jeremy Warriner Nomination
• Hall of Fame Evaluation Rubric:
  Review the official Purdue HTM Hall of Fame Nomination Rubric, which outlines the evaluation criteria and scoring structure used by the review committee.
  🔗 Hall of Fame Rubric

These resources are intended to help nominators craft strong, well-supported submissions that fully capture each nominee’s impact.

The Purdue HTM Hall of Fame celebrates individuals whose leadership and dedication have helped shape the future of hospitality and tourism while advancing the mission and legacy of Purdue HTM. Alumni, community members, and industry partners are encouraged to submit thoughtful nominations to help recognize those who have truly made a difference.