After more than a year of obstacles, virtual classes, and cancelled events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, eleven V&E students join fall 2020 graduates in entering the next chapter of their lives.
The 16 undergraduate and two graduate students from the class of 2021 have had many obstacles to overcome. “The class of 2021 has much to be proud of, their accomplishments are a testament to their tenacity and determination.” said Thomas Henick-Kling, director of the WSU Viticulture & Enology Program.
Graduates were able celebrate their accomplishments with peers, family and friends during the WSU System Virtual Commencement Ceremony held May 8. Graduates from on the WSU Tri-Cities campus were also able to experience a drive-through celebration. Dressed in regalia, students loaded into cars with family and friends. Cars paraded through the WSU Tri-Cities parking lot, each stopping so students could walk across the stage and pose for a photo. “While it might not have been the graduation ceremony the students had envisioned, the drive-through ceremony was nice celebration for students and their families, said Henick-Kling.”
MEET THE GRADS-Fall 2020!
Remington Jorgensen
HOMETOWN: Southlake, TX
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 435 Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fruit and Wine (Edwards)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Getting to know all of the V&E students
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: I am planning on working full time with Sandhi and Domaine De La Cote in Santa Barbara, CA
Madelyn Calderon
HOMETOWN: Black River Falls, WI
TRANSFERRED FROM: University of Minnesota
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: Blended Learning Student Winemaking Course (Henick-Kling/Collins)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Being able to be a part of the research that is happening at the Wine Science Center. Either from analyzing the wine to participating in sensory panels. It’s an experience that builds your capacity to question the things you do.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: I have accepted an enologist position at Purple Star Winery in Benton City, WA. I hope to grow, keep learning and find ways to make better wine!
Andrew Gerow
HOMETOWN: Grand Rapids, MI
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 435 Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fruit and Wine (Edwards)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: In Blended Learning, watching everyones facial expressions as they try heavily-tainted wines.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: After graduation I hope to work at a medium-sized winery employing regenerative and sustainable farming and winemaking practices.
Fairist Taylor
HOMETOWN: Orange County, CA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Saddleback Valley Community College
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 440 Winery Operations and Equipment (Collins)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Member of the VE Club and multiple field trips/tours of different vineyards/wineries within WA state.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Complete internship and explore the world of V&E more!
LAST WORDS/WORDS OF WISDOM: This program can be very challenging but it has helped me learn so much about the wine industry within Washington state and help grow my knowledge and networking skills.
Chad Silacci
HOMETOWN: Salinas, CA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Monterey Peninsula Community College
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE435 Chemistry & Biochemistry of Fruit & Wine (Edwards)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Throughout my time in the V&E program at WSU Tri-Cities, I have had many great experiences with faculty and internships. My favorite experiences though, have come from sharing this endeavor and building relationships with my colleagues in and outside of the major who will remain life long friends.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: After graduation I plan to return home and begin developing the family ranch into a well recognized vineyard and winery with my father and sister.
LAST WORDS/WORDS OF WISDOM: Love life
Jared Funk
HOMETOWN: Walla Walla, WA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: HORT 413 Advanced Viticulture (Bondada)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Field trips visiting vineyard sites in Walla Walla and Red Mountain
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Viticulturist for SeVein Vineyards in Walla Walla
LAST WORDS/WORDS OF WISDOM: Thank you to the professors and my friends at WSU for making it the best experience possible!
Kristian Lange
HOMETOWN: East Wenatchee, WA
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 435 Chemistry and Biochemistry of Fruit and Wine (Edwards)
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Going down to California for a field trip with Dr. Collins Winery Operations class
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Plan to travel around the world for a few years to experience new growing and winemaking practices.
MEET THE GRADS-Spring 2021!
Matthew Doutney
HOMETOWN: Long Island, NY
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 313
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: “Did anyone bring loppers?”
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Operate Non-Vintage Wines: the coolest wine shop around!
Nicholas Blanchfield-Felice
HOMETOWN: Oakton, VA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Christopher Newport University
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VIT ENO 433
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: VIT ENO 433
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Assistant Winemaker, Red Band Cellars
LAST WORDS/WORDS OF WISDOM: “I would like to thank my mom and dad!’
Paige Schoppe
HOMETOWN: Palm Desert, CA
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 440
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Being able to interact with people from all over who have the common interest of wine. and gaining all the knowledge from my professors over the years.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Tasting Room Lead at Chamisal Vineyards, San Luis Obispo, CA!
Keith Pagett
HOMETOWN: Seal Beach, CA
TRANSFERRED FROM: California State University of Long Beach
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: Advanced Viticulture
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Making amazing friends that I’ll stay in touch with for the rest of my life.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Internship at Patz & Hall in Sonoma, CA
Gabriel Crowell
HOMETOWN: Limassol, Cyprus
TRANSFERRED FROM: Christopher Newport University
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: Wine Chemistry
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Picking Riesling with Dr. Henick-Kling or field trips with Dr. Bondada
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: Winemaking at Four Feathers Wine Estates and helping out at Non-Vintage Wines
Isabel Obie
HOMETOWN: Seattle, WA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Christopher Newport University
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 422 – Sensory Evaluation
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: The field trips for sure. I found it super beneficial to see the things we talking about in class in action at different wineries and vineyards. Getting to meet vineyard managers and winemakers and hear their stories and advise was always valuable and interesting. Being on the Pullman campus it was especially exciting when we got to meet up with our classmates at the Tri-Cities campus.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: “I will be moving to California to start a harvest internship with Talley Vineyards!”
Bayli Picker
HOMETOWN: Finley, WA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VIT ENO 433
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Visiting pepper bridge winery
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: “I will be working on a research project across the U.S. focusing on row crops.”
Yaritza Gomez
HOMETOWN: Benton City, WA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Christopher Newport University
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: VE 313
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: The field trips
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: “Work at Four Feathers and continue to gain experience in the Washington Wine Industry. And I would also like to travel!”
Dalia Montero
HOMETOWN: Sunnyside, WA
TRANSFERRED FROM: Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: Blended learning
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: “My favorite memory in V&E was taking a class field trip to multiple wineries in the Benton City area. We learned so much and had a blast tasting wine and gaining so much knowledge.”
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: “After graduation I plan on utilizing my knowledge gained at WSU, as well as through my internships/ job opportunities, towards this upcoming harvest season. I’m excited to see all the amazing opportunities that are in my future in the industry.”
LAST WORDS/WORDS OF WISDOM: “Thank you to all the amazing professors I had the privilege of working with through this program & a very special thank you to my family & loved ones, I couldn’t have done it without all your love & support throughout the years! Cheers & GO COUGS!!”
Margaret McCoy, PhD Horticultural Sciences
HOMETOWN: Warsaw, OH
DEGREES: BS Soil Science and Agronomy, Wilmington College
MS Soil Sciences, Washington State University
GRADUATE RESEARCH: Evaluation of Coverage, Drift, and Their Impact on Pest Management Options in Washington Vineyards
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: Field Plant Pathology and Mycology
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Being able to attend GiESCO (Group of International Experts for Cooperation on Vitivinicultural Systems Conference) in Greece and share my research while learning about work being conducted around the world.
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: R&D Agronomist, True Organics, Pacific Northwest
Lindsey Kornowske, MS Food Science
HOMETOWN: Seattle, WA
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE: BS Chemistry, University or Washington
GRADUATE RESEARCH: Studying the effects of pH on winemaking
FAVORITE V&E CLASS: I loved TA-ing for VE 113!
FAVORITE V&E MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Working, wine tasting, and adventuring with the other graduate students!
POST-GRADUATION PLANS: “To continue to pursue career opportunities I’m passionate about, and then spend all other moments in the day somewhere outside, away from Zoom.”
LAST WORDS/WORDS OF WISDOM: Congrats Class of 2021!!
