Submitted by South Puget Sound Community College
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is pleased to announce that 19 students in its inaugural Craft Brewing & Distilling cohort will graduate as part of the class of 2020 on June 20.
The diverse group of adult learners, including three female graduates, have excelled in the science- and business-focused program. Twelve students are graduating with high or highest honors, earning a 3.75 GPA or higher, and eight students are dual-specializing in two out of the three crafts learned in the program: brewing, distilling, and cider making. Six students are actively building breweries and distilleries in Washington, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, and an additional seven are currently employed in the industry.
“We are delighted to graduate our first cohort of Craft Brewing & Distilling students,” said SPSCC president Timothy Stokes. “They will be a catalyst for growing the craft beverage industry in our state. Their success is the result of tremendous partnerships with the industry as well as state and local leaders.”
Those industry partnerships combined with the diversity of the program faculty and curriculum are just a few things that make this program unique. Frank Addeo, director of craft brewing and distilling at SPSCC, believes that preparing students for an evolving industry is critical, and the graduating cohort reflects just how broad the craft beverage industry is.
“We designed the program with the intention of preparing students for the widest breadth of potential job opportunities offered within the industry,” said Addeo. “The curriculum goes beyond production. We train individuals to handle marketing, front of house practices, and prepare them for familiarity with not only brewing, but also cider, distilling, and craft crossover.”
The program continues to gain interest amongst individuals currently working in the industry and those who aspire to. The next cohort, set to start Fall Quarter 2020, will be the first to experience the college’s new Craft Brewing & Distilling Center, a 10,000 square foot space within the Tumwater Craft District, that SPSCC will share with Ninkasi Brewing and Heritage Distilling Co. Those interested should apply by the July 6 deadline at spscc.edu/brewing.
The following graduates will earn an Associate in Applied Science-Transfer degree in Craft Brewing and Distilling on June 20, 2020.
David Aiken**
Myriam Boyer**
Brian Brazell
Clay Cadwalader*
Charles Carpenter**
Roul Chwalek**
Josh Coleman
Janice Fletcher*
Zed Hessel
Ghalib Husseini**
Luke Jean*
Jason Kujala**
James McDonald
Tyler Messa*
Raymond Rose
Jesse Sandhorst
Rex Sandwith*
Karl Stumpff**
Matthew Trotter
*High Honors **Highest Honors
