PCG Awards Scholarship to Surry Enology Student

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018 PCG Executive Director Kris Reid presented a $500 merit scholarship to Elizabeth Higley, a student at Surry Community College’s Shelton-Badgett North Carolina Center for Viticulture and Enology.

The scholarship was presented at the 7th annual Southeastern United Grape and Wine Symposium – a conference for grape growers and winemakers in the Southeast, and is one of the academic scholarships made possible from funds raised at the Sensoria Food & Wine event held at CPCC in April.

“Elizabeth was selected based on academic merit,” explained Lou Anne Gaffney, of Surry’s Enology Department.  “She entered the program knowing very little about farming or winemaking, and hit the ground running. She is a go-getter and a hard worker, and is already employed in the industry while maintaining excellent grades and participating actively in all class activities.”

Located in Dobson, North Carolina, Surry’s Viticulture and Enology school is designed to prepare individuals for various careers in the grape growing and wine making industries. Classroom instruction, laboratory and field applications of viticultural/enological principles and practices are included in the program of study.

“One of the main reasons we founded Piedmont Culinary Guild is to support and expand the next generation of food and beverage professionals. Awarding scholarships is a big part of that.” said Reid.

“Surry is doing tremendous work in furthering the North Carolina wine industry, and we’re trilled to present a scholarship to such a deserving student. Elizabeth is going to do great things.”