Merrillville-based White Lodging has begun managing The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, South Carolina.
Located in downtown Clemson, The Shepherd Hotel was built to employ individuals with intellectual disabilities. Nearly 30% of its staff are graduates or students from Clemson University’s ClemsonLIFE program. The program provides inclusive postsecondary education. It offers a collegiate experience to prepare students with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living.
“White Lodging is well respected and a nationally significant hospitality company,” said Rich Davies, Shepherd Hotel founder and managing partner, in a press release. “It is a blessing to engage with their incredible and caring team to manage the Shepherd Hotel in Clemson. We are excited about the future opportunities to positively impact the lives of others through our engagement with White Lodging.”
Conner White, White Lodging vice chair and chief investment officer, called the move more than a management agreement.
“It’s a commitment to a brand, a mission and an expanded vision of what hospitality can be,” White said. “The brand’s values align beautifully with our belief in the power of hospitality to create opportunities and transform lives.”
Open for three years, the hotel offers real-world job training and meaningful careers in hospitality engaging with the ClemsonLIFE program. As part of the agreement, all current associates of The Shepherd Hotel will be invited to become White Lodging associates with comparable roles, wages and benefits.
“The existing Shepherd Hotel team is exceptional, and we want to build on the team’s experience to further elevate guest experience, associate development, systems and operations while playing a role in expanding the brand,” White said. “It’s the best of both worlds; we get to do something good—and do it well.”
The Shepherd Hotel’s success has sparked interest from other university towns with university programs like what ClemsonLIFE has pioneered.
“Together with Shepherd Hotels and through their collaboration with ClemsonLIFE, we look forward to supporting The Shepherd Hotel’s mission and growth to other campuses across the country,” White said.
