1970s
1971
In early 1971, the then Associate Dean of Cornell Hospitality program, Gerry Lattin was hired to lead the School of Hotel, Food and Travel Services at the new and not yet built, first state university in Miami, Florida – Florida International University. This decision would impact the future of the Chaplin School for years to come.
In the fall of 1971, Dean Gerry Lattin moved to Miami and began designing a curriculum, hiring faculty and staff and recruiting students. This effort was based on two fundamental principles: industry-oriented faculty with executive experience and required academic credentials, as well as a scope that would be local, statewide and international. Students were recruited from Florida, across the country, and around the world.
1972
In early 1972, Anthony G. Marshall was hired as Assistant Dean but later would be promoted to Associate Dean and Dean of the school. Among the founding faculty was Mike Hurst, a restaurateur who had moved to Ft. Lauderdale to open the New River Storehouse restaurant and the Marina Bay Club. He was responsible for shaping the restaurant management curriculum. In his 27 years at FIU, he taught over 6,000 students and was a mentor to many of them. He served as Director and President of the National Restaurant Association.
1973 - First master graduating class
In 1973, a Master of Science in Hotel and Food Service Management degree was added. That same year, the first graduation was held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. The first graduating class had 25 students.
1978 - Naming
In 1978, the school’s name was changed to Hospitality Management. In that same year, the Board of Regents of the State of Florida designated the School as a Program of Distinction. This honor enabled adding additional notable faculty, including distinguished author and educator Lendal Kotschevar and the former Executive Vice President of the National Restaurant Association, Donald Greenway.
1980s
1982 - Tony Marshall
When Dean Gerry Lattin retired in 1982, Tony Marshall was appointed Dean of the School of Hospitality Management and he immediately appointed Rocco M. Angelo as Associate Dean.
1983 - FIU Hospitality Review
In 1983, the first edition of the FIU Hospitality Review was published. This new hospitality journal became a pillar of academic rigor for FIU. As one of the early entrants into the realm of academic publishing that focused on hospitality, the FIU Hospitality Review was ranked as one of the top hospitality academic journals in several published studies.
1989 - New home
In the Summer of 1989, the School of Hospitality Management relocated from the University Park Campus–presently known as Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC) – to the North Miami Campus–presently known as Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC). The school was housed in its own building located alongside Biscayne Bay with three floors of offices, labs and classrooms.
1990s
1997 - SOBEWFF®
Since 1997, the school co-sponsored the annual Florida Extravaganza (later renamed South Beach Wine and Food Festival SOBEWFF®) which has become the nation’s largest wine and food event. It has served as the signature fundraising event for the school and featured hundreds of wine makers and spirits manufacturers. Hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of America and FIU, the festival benefits the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Since its inception, more than $31 million has been raised in support of scholarships, state-of-the-art learning facilities and more at the school. In addition, the festival annually presents a unique opportunity for more than 1,200 student volunteers to gain experience in the field of hospitality as well as networking with industry leaders.
1998 – Southern Wine & Spirits
Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center was built to cater to the students. The lab creates the ideal setting for various beverage management courses. The classrooms in the center are equipped with the latest technology which offers students the opportunity to learn relevant skills to work in all aspects of the spirits and beverage industry.
1999 - Joseph J. West
In July 1999, Joseph J. West was appointed the school’s third Dean, bringing a new chapter in the growth and development of the school.
2000s
2000 - Switzerland
On January 10, 2000, the school began offering courses in Luzerne, Switzerland, in partnership with DCT hotel school, leading to a degree in Hospitality Management.
2006 - Marriott Tianjin China Program
In August 2006, FIU unveiled the first American hospitality and tourism school in Tianjin, China. The Marriott Tianjin China Program is FIU’s largest international program, with a capacity for up to 1,200 students. The government of the People’s Republic of China selected FIU from a group of hospitality schools in the U.S. and Europe as its partner in establishing a hospitality and tourism campus in Tianjin, the fourth largest city in China. The $100 million center, which was fully funded by the Chinese government, sits on 80 acres of land and contains more than 450,000 square feet of space, including a dormitory tower 20 stories high, which can accommodate 1,200 students.
2010s
2010 - Mike Hampton
In 2010, Michael Hampton was appointed the fourth dean of FIU's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, creating new sources of growth and development for the School with the expansion of the Marriott Tianjin China program, the development of the real estate finance program and many other projects.
2010 - Carnival Student Center
Located at the university’s Biscayne Bay campus, the 2,600-square-foot space was completely renovated and repurposed to create a formal and informal gathering for students. Carnival’s gift also included endowment for scholarships, which will also increase once matched by the state.
2011 - Chaplin
In 2011, the school was renamed the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in honor of the Chaplin family. The naming recognizes the commitment of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and the Chaplin family as passionate supporters of FIU’s hospitality and tourism education. In doing so, the goal was to continue providing cutting-edge management education for students who intend to pursue careers in the hospitality and tourism industries.
2014 - Carnival School Establishes Carnival Gold Scholars Program with $400,000 Donation from Carnival Foundation
FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management received $400,000 from Carnival Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Carnival Corporation, to provide full scholarships to qualifying students on an annual basis. Dubbed the Carnival Gold Scholars program, it awards renewable scholarships, including room and board, of up to $20,000 for each incoming freshman planning to study hospitality or tourism management. The scholars are chosen based on volunteerism and proven leadership qualities, self-discipline, and advanced communication skills. As part of the award, the recipients will participate in study abroad experiences while at FIU.
Chaplin dedication
The Chaplin family was honored for the decades of support they’ve offered FIU with the dedication of a wall in their name located in the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center at the Chaplin School.
2014 – Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory
2014 marked the completion of the state-of-the-art Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory, including the Badia Spices Food Production Laboratory and the Brew Science Laboratory, all funded with proceeds from the South Beach Wine & Food Festival®.
Rankings history
2016-21
Online programs ranked #1 in the nation
2021
Top 10 U.S. public hospitality school and 35th globally QS World University Rankings by Subject
2022
Ranked 33rd globally by QS World University Rankings
2020s
2020 - Michael Cheng
In February 2020, Michael Cheng was appointed the fifth dean of the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
2020 - The FIU Chaplin School and Casa Cuba receive a donation of $5 million
FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management received a $5 million gift from Bacardi USA dedicated to a new and unique educational program tailored for the spirits industry. The gift will create the Bacardi Center of Excellence, which will position the top-ranked school as a leader in beverage management education and partner with one of the world’s most historic and leading spirits companies.
The Bacardi Center of Excellence will provide student scholarship opportunities, promote community events and provide pathways to entrepreneurship. The Bacardi Beverage Innovation Fund will be used to establish a beverage curriculum and create collaboration opportunities between Bacardi USA and FIU faculty. The Bacardi Scholarship Endowment will offer students financial assistance and establish professorships.
2020/2021 - Industry relief
In March 2020, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival® launched the SOBEWFF® & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund to provide immediate financial support to independently owned and operated restaurants and bars impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The fund has managed to raise and distribute over $1,596,000 to local hospitality employees in need.
2021 - Ranked among the best
The FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management program is now ranked a TOP 10 U.S. public hospitality school by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
