COLLEGE CORNER

New Hot Spot For College Students

(NAPSI)-Florida, known internationally as the center for hospitality and consistently ranked as one of the top 10 destinations in the world, can also be a great place to study. Just ask the Resort & Hospitality Management students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).

In fact, some lucky college students will be offered the chance to pursue their passion for the hospitality field and attend classes in a brand new "over the top" multimillion dollar building on the campus of FGCU in Ft. Myers at the University's Division of Resort & Hospitality Management (RHM).

The students will find more than 40 top-rated resorts and 160 private clubs nearby, as the program is fortunate to have top industry professionals teaching classes, including many of the school's 45 member Resort & Hospitality Advisory Board, created to ensure the high quality of the courses offered.

The newest Florida campus is getting ready to open a brand new building and help students prepare for high-demand professional careers in all aspects of the resort and hospitality industry. From resort, club, spa, hotel and lodging management to event, commercial recreation, professional golf, attraction, food and beverage, resort timeshare and tourism destination management.

Dr. Sherie Brezina, RHM's director, said the new $8.4 million, 40,000-square-foot Herbert J. Sugden Hall will include a Wine and Food Technology laboratory and a unique functioning prototype spa laboratory area for students to learn about managing and operating resort and day spas. It's one of the fastest growing resort-management programs in the country.

The new building will provide RHM majors with a state-of-the-art kitchen, restaurant, spa and golf management lab and teaching facilities to complement their academic learning. Students will be taught using real-world applications in the ballrooms and multipurpose space; food and wine testing lab with attached wine cellar; spa facility equipped with a steam room, sauna, whirlpool, hair salon and treatment rooms.

In addition, there's a golf management program, including a club repair shop, simulated full-swing station and putting green; full-service commercial kitchen; cyber café; faculty and staff offices.