Pierce Education Properties donates $100,000 to Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute

Frederick Pierce IV, CEO of Pierce Education Properties and board member of the institute, said it was important for him to be personally invested in the $9 million project.|
BILL SWINDELL
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Pierce Education Properties, a student housing management and investment company, has donated $100,000 for the new building that will house Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute.

Frederick W. Pierce IV, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego-based company, is a member of the institute's board of directors. Pierce said in a statement that he 'felt it was an important message' that board members are also personally invested in the estimated $9 million building project as well.

The wine industry and other businesses have donated almost $7 million so far for the planned Wine Spectator Learning Center, which will house the university's Wine Business Institute. It is scheduled to open in 2017.

Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator magazine, last year made a $3 million donation for the planned center, which university officials will name after the publication.

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