More than 100 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony at Montana State University (MSU) on Friday for the VIM, a new hotel that will be privately owned and operated on the university’s campus. The project aims to give students practical experience in hospitality and culinary fields.
“This is going to be a beautiful building and a wonderful addition to the Montana State University campus,” said Steve Swinford, MSU Vice President for Student Success. “I know Bobcat alumni and fans, the families of our current students and many, many others, are going to look forward to staying here when they come to Bozeman.”
The VIM hotel is named after lyrics from MSU’s fight song. It will serve visitors while also providing training and internships for MSU students interested in hospitality careers.
“I said it would be a beautiful building, but it’s also going to be a unique building,” Swinford added. “When it’s completed, this hotel will be one of the very first teaching grounds in our state for hospitality professionals. We’re incredibly proud to work with our partners to pave the way in this area. This building will be an important supplement to our academic programs in hospitality and an important means for our students to gain real-world experience while earning their degrees.”
MSU currently offers four-year degrees in hospitality management through its College of Education, Health and Human Development as well as its Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The programs include options focusing on sustainable hospitality or business aspects of the industry. Students take courses covering food, nutrition, culinary arts, business, agriculture, sustainability practices, and customer service.
Gallatin College MSU provides additional opportunities with an associate degree in culinary arts and a certificate program in hospitality. These programs help prepare students for jobs locally or can lead them into MSU’s bachelor’s program if they choose.
Lone Mountain Land Co., part of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, was selected through a competitive process to develop the five-story hotel as a Marriott Hotels franchise on land leased from MSU.
Sam Byrne, co-founder and managing partner of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, described the event as “the start of a new chapter that we hope and believe will enhance the quality of education and overall campus experience for all.”
According to Byrne, the hotel will feature 138 rooms across 123,000 square feet with 5,300 square feet set aside for meetings or classroom use. Dining options inside include a restaurant.
Byrne called MSU “an important economic engine for the region.” He continued: “The culture, community, vibrancy and employment development that comes from Montana State is extraordinary. We could not be successful here without it. Being partners with MSU is fundamental to our business.”
Mike Dean from Gallatin College MSU noted that current facilities limit growth in their culinary arts program but expects expansion once the hotel opens: “These will be excellent educational opportunities for our students and all students on campus,” Dean said. “Opportunities for internships and collaborations with the hotel will also lead to further opportunities for our students as they graduate.”
Fran Albrecht, president and CEO of the MSU Alumni Foundation thanked contributors: “Thanks to each one of you: our alumni, donors, friends, faculty, staff and students, for being part of this special day,” Albrecht said. “It’s exciting to think about being in this hotel and walking across the street to cheer on our Bobcats.”
The ceremony concluded with participants taking part in a ceremonial dig followed by refreshments prepared by Gallatin College culinary arts students along with MSU Catering.
The VIM hotel is expected to open in fall 2027.
