MSU to Break Ground on Campus Hotel That Will Serve as Student Training Lab

BOZEMAN — Montana State University will break ground Thursday on an innovative campus hotel that will double as a real-world training laboratory for the next generation of hospitality professionals.

The VIM, a five-story Marriott Hotels franchise, represents a new model of experiential learning where students can gain hands-on experience in a functioning hotel just steps from their classrooms. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. along South Seventh Avenue, south of Norm Asbjornson Hall and Gianforte Hall in MSU’s South Campus District.

“Having this full-service facility on campus will create new opportunities for MSU students and help grow enrollment in high-demand areas, which will benefit our state’s hospitality industry,” said Alison Harmon, the university’s vice president for research and economic development.

The project, developed by Lone Mountain Land Co., a subsidiary of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, emerged from a competitive proposal process. The company was selected to build and operate the hotel on land leased from MSU.

Living Laboratory Concept

The VIM — named after the line “We’ve got the vim” from MSU’s fight song “Stand Up and Cheer” — will function as what administrators call a “living laboratory” for students pursuing careers in hospitality management and culinary arts. Unlike traditional internships that require students to travel off-campus, The VIM will provide convenient work experience integrated into students’ academic schedules.

“This hotel will give Gallatin College students in the culinary arts program daily opportunities to apply their skills in a professional setting just steps from the rest of campus, preparing them to step directly into Montana’s growing hospitality industry,” said Stephanie Gray, dean of Gallatin College MSU.

The facility will include food and beverage outlets, a restaurant, and conference and meeting spaces that will serve as educational environments for hospitality management students. This hands-on approach bridges classroom theory with practical application in ways traditional academic settings cannot replicate.

Multiple Degree Pathways

MSU offers several avenues for students seeking hospitality careers. The university provides four-year hospitality management programs through both the College of Education, Health and Human Development — which offers a sustainable hospitality option — and the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, which features a hospitality business option.

Gallatin College MSU also offers an associate of applied science degree in culinary arts, preparing students for local food service careers or entrepreneurial ventures like restaurants, bakeries, food trucks or catering businesses. Students can also transfer into bachelor’s hospitality management programs.

The programs emphasize sustainability and quality customer service while covering subjects including food and nutrition, culinary arts, business, and agriculture, along with hospitality-specific coursework.

Strong Career Prospects

Graduates of MSU’s hospitality programs can expect strong career prospects, with average starting salaries of $57,000, according to Harmon. Many graduates remain in Montana or the region, helping address workforce needs in the state’s expanding tourism and hospitality sectors.

The VIM’s internship opportunities will provide students with valuable practical experience that fits into their campus schedules, eliminating the logistical challenges of off-site internships while ensuring students graduate with competitive job market experience.

Community Investment

The project represents a significant investment in both education and economic development. Lone Mountain Land Co. recently donated $1 million to support MSU’s Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Program, demonstrating long-term commitment to the partnership.

“Lone Mountain Land Company’s generosity in supporting the growth and success of MSU’s Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Program throughout the project, as well as a recent $1 million donation, demonstrates their outstanding commitment to education and deep investment in the future of our students,” said MSU Alumni Foundation President and CEO Fran Albrecht.

Sam Byrne, co-founder and managing partner of CrossHarbor, emphasized the community impact of the project.

“Building a campus hotel is about investing in our community’s future,” Byrne said. “By supporting students’ education and creating local jobs, we’re helping talented students stay and build a better future here in Montana.”