Linfield College on Wednesday announced the creation of The Lacroute Initiative for Advancing the Liberal Arts. Based upon her long-term commitment to Linfield’s mission, Trustee Ronni Lacroute completed a generous gift intended to reinforce the central nature of the liberal arts to the college’s curriculum.

The Lacroute Initiative is an ambitious plan to further integrate the various ways the liberal arts, pre-professional programs and applied learning all come together to forge an ideal learning environment for students.

Four current faculty members will become Lacroute Scholars in the Liberal Arts. They will be joined by a visiting Lacroute Scholar in the visual arts.

The program also includes funding for Liberal Arts in Residence, in which scholars from elsewhere, including regional and national experts, will reside at Linfield for varying amounts of time to work with students. Funding for additional events and programs involving the Lacroute Scholars is included, as well.

Lacroute, whose gift will fund the initiative for its first three years, has long been an advocate for and supporter of Linfield College.