Ronni Lacroute, Linfield trustee and co-owner of WillaKenzie Estate Winery, was named Oregon Wine Person of the Year in recognition of her philanthropic outreach to nonprofits throughout the state, including Linfield.
The Oregon Wine Press made the announcement earlier this month.
Many McMinnville and Portland cultural organizations have benefited from Lacroute’s passion for the arts, and she has provided extensive support for hunger relief, children’s causes, education, social services and medical research.
As a member of the Linfield College Board of Trustees, Lacroute has taken the lead in supporting and promoting Linfield’s arts and music programs, including the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. She has also provided advice on the Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield, and remains a key liaison between the college and the wine industry
“Ronni has been an invaluable trustee,” says Linfield President Thomas Hellie. “Thanks to her prior experience as a college professor, she understands and embraces the values of a liberal arts college.”
“She is being honored as the Oregon Wine Person of the Year,” Hellie says, “but in fact she also deserves to be recognized as Oregon Citizen of the Year.”
