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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – June 14th, 2023 – ´óÏó´«Ã½ announced the appointment of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Associate Professor Brian Warrener as the inaugural director of the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation (CBEI). The Center for Beverage Education & Innovation is a new and innovative learning community that aims to bring together the university’s culinary and hospitality expertise with beverage industry partners. In his new role, Warrener will lead alumni, students and professionals to foster collaborative research across colleges and learning opportunities toward more robust partnerships in the beverage economy. 

“Brian’s expertise and connections with the beverage industry will help us to identify new opportunities to engage our faculty and students,” said Johnson & Wales Provost Richard Wiscott, Ph.D. “Under Brian’s leadership, the Center will coordinate interdisciplinary collaboration by leveraging our beverage expertise across multiple departments and colleges.”

The center was formally launched on November 17, 2022. Led by well credentialed faculty, alumni, students and professionals, the center offers students hands-on experience in the beverage industry, which is reflective of the university’s commitment to experiential and interdisciplinary education.

Warrener, who has been with Johnson & Wales since 1995, became a full-time faculty member in the College of Hospitality Management in 2002. His teaching has focused on food and beverage operations as well as management. Warrener’s contributions to the beverage industry include past and current service on the National Advisory Board of the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, the Advisory Board of New England Tequila and Rum Festival and the Master Accreditation Committee - United States Bartenders Guild.  His industry publications include articles in Slammed Magazine, Bar Business Magazine, and Nightclub & Bar Contributing.

Professor Warrener holds a B.A. in History from Harvard University and an MBA in International Sports Management from the University of Rhode Island.

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Founded in 1914, ´óÏó´«Ã½ is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. ´óÏó´«Ã½’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at ´óÏó´«Ã½ is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer McGee, Director of External Communications & Media Relations, 202.427.5981, Jennifer.McGee@jwu.edu