Danny Meyer ’80, H’24, P’20 and Audrey Meyer P’20 Endow Global Engagement Seminars at Trinity College’s Rome Campus
“Rome opened my eyes to the world in ways I never could have imagined. My time at Trinity had a lasting impact on both my career and my life. Now, I want to give future generations of students that same chance to explore, learn, and grow.”
— Danny Meyer ’80, P’20, H’24
Thanks to the introduction of Global Engagement Seminars, every Trinity student can now consider experiencing the transformative power of studying abroad, even if a full semester away seems out of reach. These seminars, offered during the January and Summer terms, are typically two to three weeks long, ideal for students whose schedules may not allow for a longer stay.
The Trinity Rome Campus, the College’s flagship study away location since 1970, is a compelling place to launch these seminars. Over the past 55 years, the Rome Campus has influenced the lives of thousands of Trinity students, equipping them with the skills and perspective to navigate an interconnected world. The generosity of Danny and Audrey Meyer will now enable an even greater number of students to embark on this life-changing journey.
The curriculum is designed to evolve, ensuring a wide array of enriching courses. This year’s fully booked programs included offerings such as The Politics of Magnificence, Exploring Awe: Rome as a Laboratory, and Food and Culture, all taught by Trinity faculty. With plans to expand these opportunities, the Global Engagement Seminars are set to offer students an ever-growing selection of immersive learning experiences.
For Danny Meyer, this initiative carries a deep personal meaning. His own time on Trinity’s Rome campus sparked a lifelong passion for food and restaurants. He believes wholeheartedly in the life-changing power of travel and cultural immersion and how these experiences shape the personal and professional journeys of young people. Through the Meyers’ initiative, students facing financial hurdles will have the support they need to participate, broadening their horizons and fostering a global mindset.
Danny’s investment also stands as a tribute to President Joanne Berger-Sweeney, whose inspiring leadership guided his decision to contribute. “I have Joanne to thank for inspiring us to make this gift,” Danny shares. “Her dedication to the transformative potential of study abroad will ensure that future generations of Bantams enjoy the same kind of experiences that shaped my life. Her leadership has left a lasting legacy, and I’m deeply grateful for her influence on my alma mater.”
Danny Meyer graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in political science. As a junior, he studied International Politics and Italian Language at Trinity’s campus in Rome.
In 1985, at the age of 27, he opened his first restaurant in New York City. Today, as founder and executive chairman of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), he oversees some of New York’s most beloved restaurants, Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Manhatta, Ci Siamo, Daily Provisions, and more. He is also the visionary behind Shake Shack, which became a public company in 2015.
Under Danny’ leadership, USHG has become synonymous with “Enlightened Hospitality,” setting new standards for employee care, leadership, and social responsibility. Meyer, his restaurants, and his chefs have won an unprecedented 28 James Beard Awards, and his book Setting the Table remains a New York Times bestseller.
In addition to his contributions to the culinary world, Danny has served on Trinity’s Board of Trustees and on the boards of Share Our Strength and the Union Square Partnership. He and his wife, Audrey, live in New York City and have four children, including their daughter Gretchen, who graduated from Trinity in 2020.
Danny returned to Trinity as the Commencement speaker for the Class of 2024, where he was honored with an honorary doctorate in humane letters. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Looking back, I now see that one of the most pivotal moments in my life was the day I was waitlisted at Trinity. Followed by the day I was accepted. That first moment ignited a fire in me to prove I belonged here—and that drive has stayed with me. As you move forward, you’ll find that seemingly random pieces of your life, many of them tied to your time here at Trinity, will connect in ways you can’t even imagine right now.”
“I have experienced enlightened hospitality in Danny’s restaurants and his enlightened leadership on our Board of Trustees,” said President Joanne Berger-Sweeney. “Danny Meyer has never stopped being a student of the world. He is an inspirational, humble, and creative force. Through the Global Engagement Seminars, his spirit will imbue future generations of Trinity students with the desire to understand the world and themselves more deeply. On behalf of Trinity, I am honored to extend our gratitude to Danny and Audrey.”
