  University to Rename Signature Building in Honor of Local Entrepreneur, Food Service Industry Pioneer PROVIDENCE, R.I. – November 27, 2007 – Johnson & Wales University (JWU) will rename the historic Paramount Building, a signature facility located on the University's Harborside Campus (off Allens Avenue), as The Friedman Center in honor of the local entrepreneur and food service industry pioneer.David Friedman, 85, influenced JWU to expand beyond its position as a local business school into a provider of professional culinary education – accredited degree programs that are now ranked among the best in the country.In addition, he envisioned the University's development of Harborside, a former brownsfield, to serve as the location of a pristine campus featuring academic buildings, resident halls and other university facilities along the shores of Narragansett Bay. In 1971, Friedman noticed a critical shortage of food management professionals and chefs, and that there was a lack of schooling in all aspects of the industry. As the owner and operator of Providence-based Paramount Restaurant Supply Corporation, a successful provider of restaurant equipment, furnishings, general supplies, financing and even retail construction and design, Friedman accurately predicted the expansive growth of the restaurant and food service industries, and the need for well educated and trained professionals to manage this growth. Friedman also pioneered the 'Concept to Completion' package, which was an integral component to the successful launch of such chains including Dunkin Donuts and Howard Johnson's. "He was a true pioneer in every sense of the word – as a successful businessman in an industry experiencing its infancy, and as someone who recognized the industry's growth would create the need for a whole new category of well educated and trained professionals," said JWU Board Chairman Dr. John A. Yena. "He knew that higher education would become vital to ensure the industry's success and he had a vision for what Harborside would become for the university." In 1972, Friedman convinced JWU officials to develop a culinary and restaurant management curriculum using the university's unique career education model.He provided the new program with a cache of food service equipment and developed classroom and lab facilities located within an empty building, which he initially leased and eventually sold to the university. By 1973, JWU's inaugural culinary school enrolled 141 students, which dramatically grew to 400 students and then to 800 during the next two years, respectively.It became the first such culinary school of its kind to offer accredited bachelor's degree programs in culinary arts. "David truly transformed this university. He positioned us to take a major leap toward the world class institution that we are today," said University President John J. Bowen."We are proud to recognize his contributions, especially as JWU is experiencing another transformation, with both our FOCUS 2011 strategic plan and the Harborside Campus master plan well underway.Today, we continue to build on David's vision of Harborside. The 203,467-square-foot Paramount Building is a multi-purpose facility that is home to the university's Career Development Office, as well as administrative and faculty offices for its Graduate School and School of Education, Residential Life, Student Academic Services, and the university's Culinary Museum. Friedman has served as an active member of the University's board of trustees for more than 30 years. He lives in Providence with his wife, Frances. Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 89 countries, JWU prepares students for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. For more information visit www.jwu.edu.
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