Linfield College President Thomas Hellie was honored for his commitment to advancing Oregon’s wine community during the Oregon Wine Symposium Awards luncheon.

The Oregon wine industry honored some of its most esteemed leaders, as nominated by their peers, during the Feb. 21 ceremony. More than 1,900 wine industry professionals were in attendance to celebrate their accomplished colleagues throughout the state who have championed the advancement of Oregon wine. Eight awards in six categories were presented.

Hellie received the Oregon Wine Board Industry Partner Award, which honors those who, in the course of doing business, significantly assist in the growth and success of the industry and its members.

Under Hellie’s leadership, Linfield College established the Oregon Wine History Archive, the first of its kind in the world. The college currently offers a wine studies minor that can be paired with a wide selection of majors, and is in the process of developing a wine studies major. The Center for Wine Education at Linfield also offers wine management and wine marketing certificates online, provides a summer wine-industry immersion program and hosts one of the world’s premier wine events — the International Pinot Noir Celebration — each summer.