SSU gets $250K more for new wine center

[caption id="attachment_94844" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sonoma State University’s Wine Spectator Learning Center is set to be a state-of-the-art facility with classrooms and outdoor space to teach more than 300, venues for public seminars and events, and technology to reach the world. (credit: TLCD Architecture)[/caption]

ROHNERT PARK -- Sonoma State University on Thursday said it is receiving a $250,000 gift from major West Coast wine and spirits distributor Young's Market Co. to help fund part of the forthcoming new home for the institution's Wine Business Institute.

This brings fundraising so far for the $8 million project to $4.25 million, according to a university spokeswoman.

The gift from the Orange-based company will help finish the industry boardroom going into the Wine Spectator Learning Center on the campus, according to William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics, which hosts the institute.

“This investment is a visible commitment of Young’s Market Company’s genuine interest in the work of the Wine Business Institute as the education partner, not just for our region, but for the global wine industry,” he said.

[caption id="attachment_97910" align="alignleft" width="200"] Chris Underwood[/caption]

Young's Market has been involved with curriculum and placement. The company has hired several institute graduates and plans to send current employees through the programs, according to Chris Underwood, CEO.

“The partnership with Young’s is a great benefit to our programs and in particular our students,” said Ray Johnson, director of Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute. "The team has been actively involved with students, spending time with them on campus as mentors and guides to the many different career paths available in the world of wine.

More than 600 U.S. and international students and professionals studied at Wine Business Institute on site or via the Internet.

The Young’s Market Company Boardroom will be part of the new Wine Spectator Learning Center. Construction on the 15,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin in late 2015 and wrap in mid-2016.

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