Purdue HTM, White Lodging, and Union Club Hotel Honored with McCool Breakthrough Award for Transformative Partnership
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) at Purdue University, in partnership with White Lodging and the Union Club Hotel, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Willie McCool Breakthrough Award for transformative industry-academic collaboration. The award was presented at the 2025 International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Global Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The McCool Breakthrough Award recognizes forward-thinking partnerships that redefine experiential learning in hospitality and tourism education. Purdue’s collaboration with White Lodging and the Union Club Hotel was selected for its innovative and deeply integrated approach to student learning – one that bridges the gap between classroom education and real-world application.
“This award is a testament to our shared vision of preparing students to be future leaders in hospitality,” said Dr. Ceridwyn King, department head and professor of Purdue HTM. “Our partnership with White Lodging and the Union Club Hotel exemplifies the kind of collaboration that not only enhances student outcomes but also sets a new standard for experiential education across the industry.”
A Transformational Collaboration
The Union Club Hotel, located on Purdue’s campus and owned by the university, underwent a $30 million renovation in 2020 thanks to a generous gift from Purdue alumnus Bruce White, his wife Beth, and the Dean and Barbara White Foundation. With White Lodging assuming management of the property, the hotel was reimagined as a world-class hospitality laboratory for HTM students.
The hotel joined the Autograph Collection by Marriott in 2022, marking a major milestone and expanding student exposure to high-end hospitality operations. Promoted as the only Autograph Collection hotel operated by students, the Union Club Hotel offers a rare opportunity for immersive, personalized learning within a global brand framework.
“Our goal is to create the next generation of Hospitalitarians; leaders with a spirit to serve that thrive on excellence and leadership,” said Vicki Wicks, The Union Club Hotel at Purdue General Manager. “Guests get a luxury boutique hotel experience while students get a practical look at hospitality operations and management that complements their classwork and accelerates their growth in preparation for leadership positions upon graduation.”
“It is not just a hotel,” said King. “It’s a launchpad for the next generation of hospitality professionals. The depth of integration between the hotel’s operations and the Purdue HTM curriculum is truly groundbreaking.”
Experiential Learning at Its Finest
Two cornerstone programs define the success of the partnership:
- HTM 18101: The Union Club Hotel Experience
A one-credit experiential lab where students rotate through front-of-house, culinary, events, sales, accounting, and other departments. Recent enhancements now allow students to shadow department leaders and participate in simulated brand audits, and even stay overnight at the hotel to gain a dual perspective as both guest and manager. - LAUNCH: Hospitality Management Immersion Program
A structured, paid, manager-in-training program that allows students to progress through increasingly complex leadership responsibilities while completing their undergraduate degree. Since its inception, 17 students have completed the program, with many moving directly into management roles with White Lodging or other top-tier employers including Disney and the Atlanta Braves. There are currently 19 students participating in various stages of the LAUNCH program.
“The LAUNCH program not only gave me a head start in my career but also provided a path I navigated with a tremendous mentor, Vicki Wicks, general manager of the Union Club Hotel,“ said Isabelle Villeda, 2024 Purdue HTM and LAUNCH alumnus and restaurant manger at JW Marriott Austin. “LAUNCH allows us as students to learn what the real world of hospitality looks like… and what excellence is all about.”
Honoring a Legacy of Exploration and Excellence
Named in honor of astronaut Willie McCool, the award reflects a commitment to bold, breakthrough ideas in education. Fittingly, the Union Club Hotel’s renovation incorporates Purdue’s rich aerospace legacy. Its signature restaurant, 8Eleven Modern Bistro, is named for the Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 missions flown by Neil Armstrong, a famed Purdue alumnus.
Every aspect of the hotel experience, from design to service delivery, weaves together Purdue’s proud traditions and a forward-thinking vision for hospitality leadership.
About the Willie McCool Breakthrough Award
Presented annually at the ICHRIE Global Conference, the Willie McCool Breakthrough Award honors an individual, group, program, school, college, association, or corporation that has made a significant breakthrough or introduced a unique approach in the spirit of ICHRIE’s mission. Named after U.S. Navy Commander and NASA astronaut Willie McCool, the award celebrates the pursuit of excellence and the pioneering spirit that transforms education and practice alike.
About the White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
At the White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, we prepare the next generation of Experience Engineers through world-class programs that blend immersive experiential learning with innovative, industry-relevant coursework. Our internationally recognized faculty lead groundbreaking research, empowering students to engage with insights shaping the future of hospitality, tourism, and beyond. Strengthened by robust industry partnerships and a dynamic alumni network, our school is a launching pad for tomorrow’s leaders.