Shippensburg University Foundation Partners With Shaner Hotels To Build Hotel Adjacent To The Conference Center At Shippensburg University

Shaner Hotels and Shippensburg University Foundation announce their partnership to construct and operate a hotel next to the Conference Center at Shippensburg University. End Quote

State College, PA (1888PressRelease) July 03, 2013 - The Shippensburg University Foundation announced Friday, June 28, that it has entered into an agreement with Shaner Hotels, of State College, PA, to partner with them to construct and operate a hotel adjacent to the Conference Center at Shippensburg University at 500 Newburg Road, Shippensburg, PA.

"The SU Foundation Board of Directors has hired one of the best partners in the industry in Shaner Hotels," said Joel R. Zullinger, Chairperson of the Shippensburg University Foundation Board of Directors. "We are confident that partnering to build a high-quality brand hotel adjacent to the Conference Center at Shippensburg University will benefit the University, local and regional industry, and the community. This project is consistent with our mission to help support the students, faculty and programs at Shippensburg University."

Shaner Hotels, a division of the Shaner Group, is one of the foremost owner-operator companies in the hospitality industry. Their current portfolio is made up of 40 properties with 4,750 rooms in 17 states and two countries. The Shaner Group is an approved management company and franchisee of Marriott International Inc., Hilton Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Choice Hotels. "We're excited to grow our university-related hotel portfolio," said Plato Ghinos, President of Shaner Hotels. "Over the years we have established a record of accomplishment in operating hotels and working closely with universities. Business and leisure travelers alike are very receptive to the quality lodging on campus locations." Ghinos added, "Now, they will have an opportunity to experience this when visiting the Shippensburg University area."

This joint venture is in response to requests from industry and area development corporations to assist in attracting and retaining local industry. The addition of a select service level hotel property is a natural outgrowth and complementary to the existing Conference Center at Shippensburg University.

Local industry is responding positively to the news of the hotel project. Sean Glennon, VP of Operations at Volvo Construction Equipment states, "Volvo Construction Equipment is pleased to learn of the Shippensburg University Foundation's plans to build a hotel adjacent to the Conference Center at Shippensburg University. We use the Conference Center regularly for training and meetings and a neighboring hotel offers a great opportunity to host customers, dealers and visitors for multi-day meetings and conferences."

Construction of the hotel will not only serve the Conference Center and the University, but will also be an asset to the local area, according to Dr. Jody Harpster, Shippensburg University's interim president. "We encourage potential students and their families to visit campus, and this hotel will provide an opportunity for them to stay longer and experience the community, its outstanding resources, and patronize area businesses. That is especially true as it relates to the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center and the Conference Center, both of which already attract guests from throughout the region. In addition, the new space will allow the university to sponsor academic conferences and to serve as a host site for numerous high school and collegiate athletic events. We look forward to the positive impact the hotel will have on the University and the Shippensburg area."

According to L. Michael Ross, President, Franklin County Area Development Corporation, "A quality hotel adjacent to the Conference Center at Shippensburg University is a natural extension of the SU Foundation's efforts to better serve the University and the regional corporate community. Hospitality amenities are becoming increasingly important in our economic development efforts to attract and retain global employers. When a facility can be located adjacent to a widely respected educational institution, such as Shippensburg University, it further increases value for the community."

The Shippensburg University Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, independent from Shippensburg University, whose mission it is to secures funds for the benefit of the students and programs of the University. The SU Foundation secures annual and capital support for scholarships, student/faculty research, cultural programming, equipment, facilities and other University priorities. The SU Foundation also provides quality off-campus student housing at College Park Commons and Hot Point Commons, manages endowed funds and operates the on-campus Bartos Child and Family Center.

The Shippensburg University Foundation is forming a for-profit company which will own and operate the hotel. Specific details on the brand of hotel to be constructed will be released at a later date. A groundbreaking is planned for 2013.

About Shaner
State College-based Shaner is a privately held company that owns and manages a diverse portfolio of companies including hotels, financing, investment management, venture capital and energy production operations. For more information about the Shaner Corporation, please visit their website.

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