Boyd Gaming donates $1 million to Norfolk State University in a bit to support its hospitality management program

Boyd Gaming has committed $1 million to Norfolk State University (NSU) to support its tourism and hospitality management program. 

The donation will establish Boyd Gaming as the title sponsor of the program, which is part of NSU's School of Business, the WVEC-TV Norfolk reported.

The contribution is part of a larger partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and NSU, tied to Boyd’s $750 million casino resort project in Norfolk. The resort is expected to create hundreds of jobs and boost local economic growth.

“Since we broke ground on our Norfolk casino resort project last year, Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe have been committed to building a mutually beneficial partnership with our neighbors at Norfolk State University,” said Ron Bailey, Vice President and General Manager of the Norfolk casino. 

“We are honored today to further expand our partnership with our $1 million pledge in support of Norfolk State University’s Tourism & Hospitality Management program,” he continued.

NSU President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston also expressed gratitude for the support, citing the contribution’s impact on local economic development and workforce training. “Our Department of Tourism & Hospitality is the perfect place to prepare the next generation of gaming professionals.”

The pledge follows other recent grants from Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe to Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College, aimed at building a local talent pool for the casino. The casino is expected to employ around 850 jobs in areas such as hospitality, IT, accounting, security, and gaming operations. 

A temporary gaming facility will also open in late 2025, with the full resort launching in late 2027, featuring 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, dining options, live entertainment, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck.