Boyd Gaming supports NSU with $1M for tourism program

NORFOLK, Va. — Boyd Gaming has pledged $1 million to Norfolk State University to support its Tourism and Hospitality Management program, the company announced Friday. The funding will establish Boyd as the title sponsor of the program, which is housed within NSU’s School of Business.

The donation is part of a broader partnership between Boyd Gaming, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, and the university as the company continues construction on a $750 million casino resort in Norfolk. The casino project is expected to create hundreds of jobs and drive economic development in the region.

“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.”

Bailey said the company looks forward to working closely with the university to prepare students for careers in the hospitality and gaming industries.

NSU President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston said the contribution strengthens the university’s role in regional economic development and job training.

“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with one of the leading gaming corporations in the United States,” Adams-Gaston said. “Our Department of Tourism & Hospitality is the perfect place to prepare the next generation of gaming professionals.”

The pledge to NSU comes on the heels of additional grants Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe awarded to Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College. The initiatives are part of an effort to build a local talent pipeline to meet workforce demands at the future Norfolk casino.

The casino is expected to employ about 850 people across various departments, including hospitality, IT, accounting, security, and gaming operations. 

A temporary gaming facility is scheduled to open in late 2025, with the permanent resort expected to launch in late 2027. Plans for the full resort include 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, multiple dining options, live entertainment, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck.

For more information, visit the Boyd Gaming website.