California State University, Fresno
Viticulture Alumni Club
The Viticulture Alumni Club is comprised of former students and graduates of the viticulture program at California State University, Fresno, many of whom are leaders of the grape and wine industry. The club's membership includes several hundred individuals from all over the United States and abroad. The Viticulture Alumni club was established in the 1950s and has remained one of the most active alumni groups at Fresno State. As a group, the alumni club has been a major contributor to the university’s School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology through its support of the viticulture academic and research programs. Individually, many of its members serve on university and industry boards and committees. The board of directors, comprised of elected officers, conducts the regular business affairs for the club.
In 1982, the alumni club began its journey down a road that has resulted in more than $520,000 in donations to the Vincent E. Petrucci Library at the Viticulture and Enology Research Center. Their first wine tasting, "A Celebration of Wine - In Honor of the California Grape," was held in June 1982. Proceeds from this annual event held at the Dennes Coombs Riverbend Ranch have enabled the club to develop the library and its resources, and to hire a full-time professional librarian. Between 1983 and 1995, more than $170,000 was used to fund the library collection, to purchase computer equipment and software, to provide personnel to organize the collection, and to fund the physical facility within the new Viticulture and Enology Research Center building.
In addition to this support, a $350,000 endowment was established in 1996 with funds accumulated over the years from "A Celebration of Wine." Proceeds from this fund will continue to support the library that is named for Dr. Petrucci in recognition of his development of the viticulture and enology programs at this university. The role of volunteers, wineries, restaurants, and participants at the organization’s annual wine tasting should be recognized as a major factor in this gift. Their support helps to improve the quality of the library and has made "A Celebration of Wine" one of California’s premier wine tasting events.
Since 1982, the Viticulture Alumni Club has been dedicated to providing the library with up-to-date information in the areas of viticulture and enology. The establishment of this endowment fund will provide a continuous source of funds for the center to fulfill this goal. The university, school, and center wish to acknowledge this gift with sincere appreciation.
The library’s resources are available to faculty, staff, students, and the general public. A library committee, comprised of representatives from the Viticulture Alumni Club, the Viticulture and Enology Research Center, and the active viticulture and enology clubs, meet regularly to provide guidance and address library policies.
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CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE - CATI
College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
California State University, Fresno
