LAS VEGAS - November 2, 2006 - The Ê×Ò³| Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» (UNLV) announced today a $1.2 million gift from local gaming executive Robert Boughner to establish the Robert Boughner Career Services Center in the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. The new center, in cooperation with the UNLV Career Services Center, will coordinate comprehensive career planning for students interested in the hospitality industry.
"It is truly wonderful to see Bob Boughner, a distinguished community leader, offer his support to our graduates as they pursue their career opportunities," said UNLV President Dr. David Ashley. "The visibility of our fine programs in the hotel college and our relationships to the firms in this important industry will be greatly enhanced by this generous gift."
While traditional career programs aid with job placement after graduation, the Robert Boughner Career Services center will involve hospitality-focused students in career planning tracks beginning their freshman year. Students will be connected with mentorship opportunities in their first two years of college, which will be followed by internships during their junior and senior years. After completing their undergraduate studies or while enrolled in graduate programs, students will be linked to management internships and job placement opportunities.
"This enhances our ability to continually engage with the hospitality industry. It improves our capacity to introduce students to job opportunities that best match their interests," said Stuart Mann, Dean of the William F. Harrah Hotel College of Hotel Administration.
"There's no question career services has been an important part of UNLV's educational program," said Boughner. "With a new industry-specific focus, I believe career services becomes a stronger program, supporting the growing demand for new talent. Let's face it,
UNLV's hospitality program is growing as fast as our resort community and when you look at the next decade or so, it doesn't look to be slowing any time soon."
Boughner added, "There are a number of significant hospitality developments underway that will change the face of Las Vegas, and with that will come a greater demand for skilled professionals. So it is in that spirit that I decided to make a personal contribution to reinforce that commitment, while at the same time encouraging support of the Las Vegas community."
Boughner's hospitality career has spanned more than 30 years, entirely with Boyd Gaming, and he was recently appointed to lead the Company's Echelon Resorts development on the Las Vegas Strip. Prior to Echelon, he served as president and chief executive officer of Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, where he led the Company's joint venture development from the design and development stages through its first three years of operation.
