PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University’s School of Hospitality Business Management will celebrate the naming of the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, WSU Pullman campus.
The celebration reception is open to the public, and registration is available on the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living website until Oct. 5.
The reception will recognize the completion of a $2.5 million fundraising campaign, with industry and personal contributions to honor the legacy and contributions of Granger Cobb. Cobb was a pioneer in the senior living industry who led several companies, including Emeritus, which until 2014 was the largest provider of senior living care in the country. Cobb was passionate about growing the future senior housing workforce and worked with the WSU hospitality school to excite and inform people about the growing need.
“Sadly, we lost Granger in 2015, but his passion lives on through the WSU Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living,” said Nancy Swanger, School of Hospitality Business Management director. “He touched countless lives, and I am so proud that WSU is carrying out his professional legacy and passion for creating the future senior living industry workforce.”
“The Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living will be a pioneer in integrating teaching and research for a rapidly growing industry,” said Chip Hunter, Carson College dean. “In addition to industry partners, our efforts reach across campus with touch points in nursing, electrical engineering, human development, psychology and construction management. Our collective momentum will redefine the perception of senior living and prepare the next generation of leaders in this space.”
To fill the growing demand for a skilled senior-living workforce, the hospitality school is expanding its senior living management program to equip students with real-world knowledge and industry-expert connections before they graduate. Unlike other programs that focus heavily on geriatrics, gerontology or policy, the WSU program is preparing students for community operations, said Swanger.
Media contacts:
- Nancy Swanger, director, WSU School of Hospitality Business Management, 509-335-6387, shbm@wsu.edu
- Sue McMurray, assistant director of communications, Carson College of Business, 509-335-7578, sue.mcmurray@wsu.edu
