LARAMIE, Wyo., May 13 -- The University of Wyoming issued the following news release:

A team of University of Wyoming students won first place and a $15,000 prize in the Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Innovation Challenge, a competition designed to give students real-world experience developing and presenting creative hospitality concepts for the upcoming renovation of the Hilton Garden Inn Laramie into Graduate by Hilton Laramie.

The competition was made possible through the support of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

The winning team impressed judges with its thoughtful approach to the Humanitarian Hotel Model, its connection to the Graduate by Hilton brand and its emphasis on place-based storytelling. Team members say the experie...