There are many opportunities for students, staff and alumni to get involved at Portland State, including the university’s little-known Alumni Wine Club.
The Alumni Association started the wine club in December 2010 to provide alumni with the opportunity to reconnect with each other and to develop networks within the community. The wine club holds most of its events off-campus at various vineyards.
“[The club] is the bridge to bring alumni back together,” said Wine Club Manager Kevin Craig. Craig did not graduate from PSU, but is an employee at Artisan Wine in Tigard.
In December, the wine club launched its first event and kick-off party at the Bishop House, located on the South Park Blocks. Craig said the club hopes to have a similar event in the future to get more people to join.
To join the club, one does not have to be a PSU alumn. Current students and community members are also welcome. There are no fees associated with joining, but members are responsible for paying for their optional monthly or bi-monthly wine purchase. Membership includes a newsletter, and wine and vineyard information that goes along with purchased bottles of wine.
A portion of the club’s proceeds go toward the PSU Alumni Association. It is used to host lectures and events on campus, as well as to fund student scholarships, according to Craig.
In addition, the club provides its members with the opportunity to learn about Northwest wines and vineyards. There are currently over 700 different wineries in Washington and over 400 in Oregon.
Though the club has just begun, the leaders are hoping it will have a significant impact and make a difference in the community, Craig said. The economy has created a tough market for those in the wine industry, and therefore the new club also supports local businesses.
Commenting on why people should join the club, Craig said, “There are three [reasons]: one, it helps support the fundraising effort; two, members will learn about an assortment of wines because most other clubs are a one-business type of club; and three, there is more variety”.
For more information about the club, visit www.psualumniwineclub.org. ?