Ian Schrager has pledged $1million to the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund.  The fund was established by Marriott International to honour the legacy of Arne M. Sorenson, the company’s late President and CEO. The donation will help support the programmatic and career development elements of the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership, which will be housed within the Howard University School of Business.

At a time when the hospitality sector needs it most, the programme will aim to expand educational and professional opportunities for Howard University students and build the next generation of industry leaders.

“Arne Sorenson was the finest, most decent, most brilliant and creative man I’ve ever known,” says Schrager. “My life was so enriched by just knowing him and dealing with him. I have learned so much about both business and life from him. His passing is not only a loss for his family, friends and colleagues at Marriott but to all of us because he brought genuine good and made the world a better place for all of us.

“I hope that the Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund will continue the great and decent things he did in life by offering equal opportunities to future hospitality leaders. I’m very happy the work Arne did while he was alive will still continue and I am committed to helping to raise awareness and funds to support this effort.”

The Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership was created thanks to a $20 million endowment by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. Marriott and Ian Schrager are inviting other organisations and individuals – from all industries – to champion the centre and pay homage to the work of Arne Sorenson.