Danny Meyer receives honorary doctorate from JWU

New York restaurateur Danny Meyer received an honorary doctorate of business administration in hospitality management at Johnson & Wales University's (JWU) commencement ceremonies, held May 22 at the Providence, R.I., campus. Meyer, who is the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), also gave the keynote address to the 747 graduates from the College of Culinary Arts and The Hospitality College.

(l to r) Danny Meyer with JWU president John J. Bowen

"Among the choices you can make, choose to work in an establishment that is committed to treating its employees and community as well as it treats its guests," he told graduates. "And become a part of that uplifting relationship-building energy. Choose to view hospitality as a team sport."

Danny Meyer addresses JWU graduates.

Meyer's New York-based USHG includes Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke & Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 at the Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taqueria and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, as well as Union Square Events (formerly known as Hudson Yards).