To raise funds for the state-of-the-art Culinary, Gaming and Hospitality Building, SOWELA has launched “Hope for Hospitality,” a $10.8 million major gift campaign. The 28,000-square-foot building will provide high demand education and training for students seeking a growing number of jobs and careers in Louisiana’s booming hospitality industry. The primary focus is to provide hands-on hospitality training for culinary arts, business administration and information systems technology fields of study along with custom training opportunities.
Hope for Hospitality has various levels of donations for the major gift campaign including naming rights for the entire facility as well as several training labs within the building, such as a baking and pastry lab and the campus’ first-ever hotel simulation lab and gaming lab.
Floor Plan and Available Naming Opportunities
Secure your place in SOWELA’s history by taking advantage of the following naming opportunities. Naming privileges are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
SOWELA broke ground on the $10.2 million facility in October 2019 at its Main Campus in Lake Charles, LA. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
Demand
According to Louisiana Workforce Commission data, Louisiana is expected to see a 14.9% increase in hospitality employment opportunities by 2026. The goal of the new Culinary, Gaming and Hospitality building on SOWELA’s campus is to help fill Louisiana Workforce Commission-rated four-star hospitality occupations in Louisiana’s economy. Louisiana’s tourism and hospitality industry accounted for 51.3 million visitors and more than $18.8 billion according to statistics provided by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser’s office.
Sustainability
The Culinary, Gaming and Hospitality Building at SOWELA will provide in-demand industry training in a revolutionary facility that will help produce a skilled and qualified future workforce. As regional industries continue to expand, and new technologies are introduced, the facility will evolve, as necessary. Hospitality industry alliances and collaborations, including participation on curriculum advisory boards and equipment donations, will ensure that SOWELA faculty are delivering program training that is relevant and continues to align with employer needs.
For more information on the ongoing “Hope for Hospitality” campaign, contact SOWELA’s Institutional Advancement Office at (337) 421-6903 or email nicole.rasco@sowela.edu. You can also give directly via the SOWELA Foundation’s online giving form and designate your gift for “Hope for Hospitality.”