100th Anniversary Video Cornell Nolan Hotel School
Join us for our year-long 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. This video celebrates the past, present, and future of the #1 Hospitality School in the world.
A Century of Global Hospitality Leadership
In 1922, Cornell University established its Program in Hotel Management—the first program in the United States to bring hospitality education into collegiate classrooms. Since then, the program has evolved into a premier business school that has a long history of shaping the hospitality industry through research, innovation, and a global network of extraordinary influence.
As we celebrate 100 years of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, our global community will gather in celebration of the school’s accomplishments while looking forward to the bright future of the industry and hospitality education. Together, we will help usher in a new century of impact, innovation, and community.
Our History
The idea of formal education in hotel administration was first conceived by New York hotelier John “Jock” Howie. He brought this proposal to Cornell in 1912. It would take another decade for an education in hotel administration to be established.
This idea—this spark—is the beginning of our education and our influence on the hospitality industry. Throughout our 100-year history, we’ve been pioneering and reimagining what it means to be in the business of hospitality. Celebrate the present and the future of the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration by taking a journey into our past.

- 1922
- 1926
- 1928
- 1928
- 1931
- 1948
- 1950
- 1953
- 1961
- 1962
- 1970
- 1978
- 1984
- 1989
- 1994
- 2004
- 2012
- 2017
- 2020
- 2021
Join the Celebration
We’re celebrating the past and the future of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. And there’s more than one way to celebrate! Learn how you can participate in our centennial celebration.

A Story 100 Years in the Making
Take a moment to read stories from our archives and stay tuned for more stories about Hotelies who are already making history today.
A Toast to Our Future
Our community—our devoted Hotelies—are united by their success and their passion for service and each other. While there are many ways to celebrate our centennial, you can choose to make a gift that will positively impact future generations of Hotelies.