Located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin has announced a meaningful donation to establish a faculty fellowship at West Virginia University. This important gift will support the advancement of academic excellence within WVU’s Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Hospitality (Culinary) program, benefiting both faculty members and students.
With this fellowship, Nemacolin will fund the first three years of an additional full-time faculty member in the A.A.S. program. The grant enables WVU to expand students’ educational opportunities by increasing course offerings to serve more students and introducing a second faculty member with specialized expertise in additional subject areas. The fellowship was awarded on March 26 in honor of WVU’s eighth Day of Giving.
“Supporting local education and academic excellence aligns with our mission to give back to the community in meaningful ways,” said Maggie Hardy, owner and CEO of Nemacolin. “We are proud to continue to support West Virginia University through this fellowship as we invest in the future for aspiring culinary professionals and the greater hospitality industry.”
“The strong relationship between WVU Tech, WVU and Nemacolin is an indication of our collectively commitment to enhancing the future of hospitality and culinary industries by aligning talented students from across the nation with the vast opportunities to hone and develop the skills necessary to excel in an environment that exudes excellence while inspiring greatness,” said T. Ramon Stuart, president of WVU Institute of Technology.
In addition to the faculty fellowship, Nemacolin will host its second annual culinary competition at the resort, consisting of a head-to-head cook-off with seven WVU culinary students paired with professional chefs from the resort. The competition will take place on April 3 and will include scholarship award opportunities.
These initiatives build upon Nemacolin’s continued commitment to fostering the next generation of hospitality professionals. In fall 2024, the resort strengthened its partnership with WVU by unveiling the Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation and Technology Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to drive innovation and redefine hospitality education. Made possible by the Hardy family’s $7 million donation, The Nemacolin Lab provides students with hands-on experience in emerging hospitality technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR). Nemacolin’s latest investment in the WVU culinary program further underscores its dedication to equipping future hospitality leaders with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive in the industry.