ITHACA, NY—Bradley H. Stone, president and partner in Gaming Asset Management LLC, has committed a $10-million gift to endow and name the deanship of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration (SHA).
“Brad Stone is the ideal person for whom the deanship could be named. I could not be prouder than to associate my position with Brad’s name, as will all future deans. Brad is a committed alumnus with an inspiring career in the hospitality industry, and his name will honor the School of Hotel Administration and the position of dean,” stated Michael D. Johnson, dean and E.M. Statler Professor.
Commenting on the gift, Cornell President David Skorton said: “From my perspective, endowments to name our senior leadership posts are among the most important gifts any university can receive. These investments allow us to attract the very best leaders to guide the future of our institution, and they provide critical funds for deans to address foremost priorities. In the School of Hotel Administration, we have a school of global reach and impact, one of the most sophisticated service-oriented business programs in the world. Knowing we have the resources to recruit individuals who are singularly qualified to shape the school’s teaching and research enterprise will be of enormous benefit to me, to my successor Elizabeth Garrett, and to future presidents of Cornell.”
A 1977 SHA graduate, Stone is in partnership with the former Las Vegas Sands management team. The company has been conducting joint ventures with Cantor Fitzgerald in the global gaming, hospitality and resort sectors. Stone is the former president of global operations and development of Las Vegas Sands Corp., where he oversaw the design, construction and operation of flagship hotels, such as the Venetian Las Vegas and the Palazzo Resort and Casino. Stone directed the development of the Sands Macao, and helped develop the 10.5 million-sq.-ft. Venetian Macao. He is currently overseeing the management of the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel in the Bahamas, scheduled to open in spring 2015.
Stone’s other contributions to the school include the establishment of the Stone Family Faculty Renewal Fellowship and the Bradley Stone ’77 Scholarship. Additionally, Stone has served as a two-term member of the Dean’s Advisory Board and has been on the Cornell University Council since 2013. He has also lectured as part of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series and at the student-run Hotel Ezra Cornell conference.