FIU announces the naming of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Florida International University is pleased to announce that its top-rated hospitality school has been named the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Designated in honor of the Chaplin family, the School will continue to provide cutting-edge management education for students who intend to pursue careers in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Harvey R. Chaplin is the chairman and chief executive officer of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, which hosts the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.  Festival proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

“Southern Wine & Spirits and the Chaplin family are passionate supporters of FIU and the superior hospitality management education we offer students from all over the world,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “This naming recognizes that commitment and augurs an even stronger partnership going forward.”

Dean of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Michael Hampton echoed President Rosenberg’s words.

“This naming affirms the shared dedication of FIU, the Chaplin family and Southern Wine & Spirits to champion industry leadership and it reflects the school’s determination to ascend to the next level of academic excellence,” said Hampton.

“This is a wonderful way to recognize our long-standing commitment to FIU,” said Southern Wine & Spirits of America President and Chief Operating Officer Wayne Chaplin. “We are committed to the education of the hospitality industry’s future leaders and want to do our part to provide them with an exceptional learning experience.”   

Part of the School’s state-of-the-art facilities includes the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, a 4,500 square-foot facility that was built in 1999 and offers the latest technology for beverage tasting and analysis. Created for a variety of users, the center is designed to accommodate students, and industry professionals including winemakers and distillers. It supports product evaluation, industry research and teaching in a specialized setting, such as that provided by FIU’s Jay W. Weiss Wine & Spirits Laboratory. The laboratory is named in honor of Weiss, a founding member of Southern Wine & Spirits of America.

Further enhancing the quality of the education offered, the Harvey R. Chaplin Eminent Scholar Chair is the first and only eminent scholar chair in the country devoted to beverage management. The holder of the chair, Dr. Barry Gump, leads the Beverage Management Studies program at the School and oversees the operation of the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. 

The partnership with the Chaplin family has helped place FIU at the forefront of hospitality education, and their support has contributed to the school’s growth and development as one of the nation’s best hospitality and tourism management schools.

In the spring of 2012, the Chaplin School will open a brand new teaching restaurant where students will have access to the highest quality kitchen facilities, wine cellar, bartending training area, and expansive teaching dining room to support a hands-on, experiential learning approach. Containing thousands of the finest wines from Southern Wine & Spirits, the custom designed wine cellar that will be part of the restaurant will accommodate up to 12 guests and will be used for wine pairings and special functions. The newly renovated 160 seat restaurant is funded by proceeds from the renowned Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the annual wine and culinary extravaganza that takes place each February and has raised more than $14 million since its inception in 2002. 

FIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Media Contacts: Maydel Santana-Bravo at 305-348-1555 or  Lee Brian Schrager at 305-625-4171.