Southland Park Gives MSCC Another $100,000 Toward Million-Dollar Commitment to Hospitality Program

Southland Park Gaming & Racing, in collaboration with its parent company, Delaware North Companies, presented Mid-South Community College with another $100,000 check on Monday (July 15). It is the second of 10 annual payments to support the Jeremy M. Jacobs Hospitality Program, which is named after Delaware North’s chairman and CEO.

MSCC has submitted supporting documents and will make a presentation to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board later this month for state approval of an Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Technical Certificate, and Certificate of Proficiency in Hospitality Management.

“As our business evolves and expands, our need for well-trained and highly-skilled employees continues to escalate,” said Troy L. Keeping, Southland Park regional general manager, president, and general manager. “We are looking forward to the projected launch of this program in August and anticipate that it will generate a deep pool of qualified hospitality workers who will strengthen the tourism and entertainment efforts of Crittenden County and our region.”

MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter said the hospitality program has been on the College’s radar for several years, but Southland’s generosity brought it to fruition.

“Southland has put us in a position to create something we had considered for quite some time but could never find the resources to establish,” Dr. Fenter said. “We wanted to offer a cutting-edge program, and as is Southland’s way, they have provided us with the funds to develop something extraordinary.”

“Their generosity will help our students tremendously, and we are certainly very appreciative of everything Delaware North and Southland Park have done to ensure a righter future for our region.”

If approved, the program would serve the needs of the growing hospitality industry. MSCC Hospitality Program Coordinator Claudine Cooper has been working with Southland, the Memphis Area Tourism and Visitors Bureau, the Memphis Restaurant Association, and the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at The University of Memphis to create a unique and much-needed educational pathway.

“We deliberately conducted a great deal of research to make sure that our program is unique and responsive to our region,” said Cooper, who earned a master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

“From talking to Southland and other key players in the industry, we’re starting this effort at a very good time. This is a big area for tourism, and hospitality training provides a wide range of instruction that applies to all different facets of the industry.”

In addition to her master’s degree, Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in Quality Assurance Management from Metropolitan State University of Minnesota and an associate of applied science degree in Hospitality Management from Normandale Community College (Minnesota). She completed 54 Culinary Arts hours at The Arts Institute International (Minnesota). Cooper also earned City & Guilds qualification in Food and Wine from the Academy of Culinary Arts in Highlands College, Jersey, United Kingdom.

Projected program courses include Introduction to the Hospitality and Tourism Management; Hotel, Lodging and Housekeeping Management, Professionalism in Hospitality; Hospitality Information Systems; Food Service Management (which includes NRAEF Serv-Safe Certification); Accounting Systems in the Hospitality Industry; Nutrition and Menu Planning; Service Industry Structure and Leadership; Food and Beverage Cost Control; Hospitality Internship; Principles of Food Preparation; Gaming and Casino Management; Hospitality Human Resources Management; Kitchen Operations Management; Hospitality Sales and Marketing; Restaurant Layout & Design; Entertainment & Venue Management; Beverage Management; Principles of Tourism; Issues and Trends in Hospitality, and Legal Issues in Hospitality and Tourism.

With Southland’s continuing commitment to the College, its overall gifts and pledges exceed $2.4 million. This is the second million-dollar pledge to MSCC since 2001. In recognition of the first seven-figure contribution, the College named one of its classroom buildings the “Southland Greyhound Science Center.”

Southland has also provided significant funding for endowed scholarships as well as a $250,000 commitment to Greyhound athletic efforts at the College. The gaming establishment has also made a substantial contribution to MSCC’s Emergency Medical Technician program.

For information about the Jeremy M. Jacobs Hospitality Program or other instructional/training opportunities at MSCC, visit the college at 2000 West Broadway in West Memphis, call (870) 733-6728, email admissions@midsouthcc.edu, or see the website at www.midsouthcc.edu.