Cornell University
The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, founded in 1922 at the request of leading hotel magnates and the American Hotel Association, launched the world's first undergraduate hospitality management degree and remains part of the Ivy League's Cornell SC Johnson College of Business in Ithaca, New York.
Born from the hospitality industry itself
Unlike many academic disciplines that develop independently of industry, the Hotel School was built at the direct request of working hoteliers who wanted a genuine science of hospitality management. Hotelier Ellsworth Statler, initially skeptical of the idea, became one of its strongest backers, and the Statler family's funding built Statler Hall, home to a fully functioning teaching hotel that remains central to the school today.
A century of defining the discipline
As one of only three Ivy League undergraduate business programmes accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, students known as Hotelies study everything from real estate and finance to entrepreneurship and food and beverage management. A historic fifty million dollar gift from Peter and Stephanie Nolan renamed the school in 2021, reflecting its continued evolution while its founding mission, training the leaders who define hospitality, remains unchanged.
Studying at the Nolan School offers several distinct strengths:
- The world's first undergraduate hospitality management degree, founded in 1922
- Ivy League standing within Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business
- One of only three Ivy League business programmes accredited by AACSB
- A genuine teaching hotel, the Statler Hotel, built directly into the campus
- Global reach through locations in Ithaca, Brussels, Singapore and beyond
A launchpad into global hospitality leadership
Graduates move into senior hospitality, real estate, finance and hotel leadership roles worldwide, carrying with them the credibility of the world's original and most historically significant hospitality degree. For candidates seeking a hospitality education with genuine Ivy League standing, the Nolan School offers an unmatched foundation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is headhunting?
Headhunting is the direct, proactive approach of specific professionals for a specific role, rather than waiting for applications. It is common for senior, scarce or confidential positions. CourtesyMasters has practised headhunting and direct sourcing for hospitality since 1999, always discreetly and with respect for everyone involved.
What is a boutique executive search firm?
A boutique executive search firm is a small, specialised practice that takes on a limited number of assignments with senior attention, in contrast to large, volume-driven firms. CourtesyMasters has worked this way since 1999: a dedicated team, deep hospitality roots and personal involvement from first briefing to final placement. Read more about us.
What is the difference between executive search and recruitment?
Recruitment typically fills open vacancies through advertising and applications. Executive search works the other way around: a consultant proactively identifies and approaches accomplished professionals, including those not actively looking, and guides both sides through a confidential, structured process. CourtesyMasters combines both disciplines, always with a hospitality focus.
What is executive search?
Executive search is a specialised form of recruitment for senior and hard-to-fill positions. Instead of waiting for applications, a search partner proactively identifies, approaches and assesses proven professionals, often confidentially. CourtesyMasters has applied this craft exclusively to hospitality since 1999, through a structured six-step methodology. Discover more about executive search services.
How can I report recruitment fraud or impersonation involving CourtesyMasters?
If you receive a suspicious message or offer that claims to come from CourtesyMasters, please contact us directly before responding. We will confirm whether the communication is genuine and take action to protect you.
Where is CourtesyMasters headquartered?
CourtesyMasters is headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, and works internationally from hubs in Madrid, Florence, Rome, London, Monaco and Cannes. See our locations for the full overview.
When was CourtesyMasters founded?
CourtesyMasters was founded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 1999. From Rotterdam to the world: over more than twenty-five years we have grown into an international hospitality search partner built on trust and discretion, working today from our headquarters in The Hague. Read more in our story.