Gary Whitney '96 Recognized With Alumni Achievement Award
Published Friday, October 03, 2025
Each year the SMSU Alumni Association seeks to recognize alumni and friends who have made significant contributions of time, talent or financial resources to help advance and bring positive recognition to Southwest Minnesota State University. The Alumni Achievement Award is presented to a graduate in recognition of their remarkable professional success, outstanding contributions to their community, and the positive reflection made on the reputation of all graduates of SMSU. This year's honor is being presented to Gary Whitney '96 from Mankato, Minn.
Gary Whitney ’96: Leading and Learning with Heart and Humility
This year’s SMSU Homecoming is more than just a celebration—it’s a chance to honor a journey that began on a quiet farm in Mapleton, Minnesota and led to boardrooms, ballparks, and beyond. Gary Whitney, Class of 1996, is the proud recipient of the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award. His story is one of connection, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to helping others grow.
Gary’s roots are like many graduates of SMSU. Raised on a multi-generational family farm, he learned early the value of hard work, integrity, and community. Hospitality wasn’t exactly a common career path in rural Minnesota, but Gary’s mom, Linda, saw something special in him.
“You’re good at this people stuff,” she’d say, encouraging him to pursue a field where relationships mattered. That simple observation planted the seed for a career built on empathy, service, and leadership.
When it came time to choose a college, Gary found his way to Southwest Minnesota State University. He began with a double major in Hotel Restaurant Administration (HRA) and History. “Pretty quickly, Marshall felt comfortable and felt right,” he recalls. Though he once imagined becoming a history professor who’d retire to run a restaurant, it didn’t take long for hospitality to win his heart.
Campus life played a huge role in shaping Gary’s path. He dove into student government, serving as a senator, then student body president, and eventually vice chairman of the Minnesota State University Student Association. These leadership roles connected him to some of the most influential people in his life and helped him develop the skills that would carry him through his career.
Two SMSU legends—Doug Sweetland and Lynn Cupkie—left a lasting mark. “They made a profound impact on me,” Gary says. “They saw something in me and helped me see it too.” Their mentorship helped him build confidence and a sense of purpose, and their influence continues to resonate in his work today.
“I learned a ton from them. And, you know, as a kid, to have access to that kind of wisdom and experience just doesn't happen in most places,” said Whitney. “But if you were willing to participate and engage at Southwest, there was this whole university community that would make sure you had the care and feeding you needed to grow and succeed.”
“I would encourage students today to just get involved; it can be any activity. For me it was student government and SHO club.”
Gary credits fellow HRA classmates like Tyler Bowen, Jaimie Mattes, Jeanette Blake, and Stacy Frost for inspiring him and getting him involved in the Student Hospitality Organization. Their welcoming, fun spirit and encouragement helped him find his place on campus and in the industry.
Looking beyond college, he thought he might follow in Doug and Lynn’s footsteps and enter the academic world, maybe becoming a university professor and a president one day. He completed his master’s degree at Purdue University while working as a graduate teaching assistant and a staff resident for Purdue student housing.
Another mentor, John Merkin, connected him to Holiday Inn hotels and Gary launched into the hospitality world where he was able to combine his two passions for hospitality and lifelong learning, eventually spending 20 years with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group). His career there was nothing short of extraordinary. He led global learning and development for over 300,000 employees across 100 countries, overseeing everything from faculty and instructional design to learning communications, technologies and analytics.
“It was kind of like running a university but in the corporate world,” he explains. Under his leadership, IHG’s learning programs evolved from solid to standout. “CLO Magazine named us Learning Elite seven years in a row,” Gary says proudly. “We weren’t spending boatloads, but we established a consistent track record of maximizing performance of both individuals and our hotels across the world.” His work helped shape a culture of growth and excellence across one of the world’s largest hospitality companies.
After two decades at IHG, Gary took a leap and started his own consulting company. It was a successful venture, allowing him to work with a variety of clients and industries. But after a couple of years, he was ready for a new challenge—and a new kind of impact.
In 2022, Gary joined Ilitch Holdings as Global Vice President of Learning and Development. While most people recognize Ilitch for Little Caesars Pizza, the company’s reach extends far beyond pizza. Ilitch Holdings also owns the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Red Wings, and several other businesses.
“Joining Little Caesars was a great fit for me. It is a multi-generation family business with a strong commitment to family, fun, and making a difference in the community. Their approach to business aligns with the lessons I learned from SMSU and growing up on a multi-generation family farm.”
Despite the demands of his career - Gary remains deeply connected to his roots. Coming back to SMSU for Homecoming isn’t just a trip; it’s a return to a place that helped shape him. “I love returning to SMSU. It is an opportunity to reminisce and reconnect to what matters. ” he says, reflecting on the impact SMSU had on his life.
Family continues to be a cornerstone of Gary’s journey. His mom’s early encouragement still echoes in the way he leads and mentors others. Whether it’s supporting franchisees or guiding corporate teams, Gary’s focus remains the same: building meaningful relationships and helping people succeed.
His story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you follow your passion and never forget where you came from. From Mapleton to Marshall to the global stage, Gary Whitney’s journey is one of heart, hustle, and humility.
Gary lives in Mankato, Minn. with his wife, Jodi, of 25 years. He has two grown children: Brandon and Grace. He is also a proud grandparent to two-year-old, Hudson.
In the years since the SMSU hospitality program was revived, Gary has served as a member of the program’s advisory board, helping shape the next generation of leaders in an industry he’s dedicated his career to. His legacy continues to unfold, inspiring others to lead with empathy, invest in people, and make a difference wherever they go.
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Celebrate with Gary Whitney and all of this year's Alumni Award Recipients at The Southwest Celebration on Friday, October 10, 2025 starting at 5:30pm in the SMSU Conference Center Upper Level.
The evening begins with a social hour with free drinks. The SMSU faculty and students will be on hand from several academic and support programs to showcase the special projects in their areas. At 6:30pm guests will be invited to be seated for a plated, formal dinner follwed by a short program recognizing this year’s award recipients. The evening will close with a Homecoming mixer. The event will have valet parking outside the Conference Center. Tickets are $50 per person and available online at www.SMSUAlumni.com/celebration.
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