Jonathan Tisch is one of the hotel industry's most giving people. Although he heads the Loews Hotels chain and has responsibilities with parent company Loews Corp., he's always front and center when a cause needs to be promoted or a task needs to get done. Among other things, Jon is chairman of the NYU Hospitality Investment Conference and has had long-time leadership positions in the Travel Business Roundtable, NYC & Company and the AH&LA.
Last week, his giving was of a different sort, as he bestowed $40 million to his alma mater, Tufts University. But in true Tisch fashion, the gift had a purpose and it's one that's close to Jon's soul. The gift will be used to endow the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, a unique academic program that offers an interdisciplinary approach to grooming future citizen-leaders in Jonâ€â„¢s own mold—people who understand and act on the importance of involvement in their industry, their neighborhood and in society.
While everyone in the hotel industry doesn't have $40 million to give, all of us have time and other resources we should use to promote the common good. It could be volunteering in a soup kitchen, or joining the Jaycees or even running for elected office. Jon Tisch sets a high standard, one to which we should all aspire.