Many may joke about college students and their overindulgence of alcohol, but those enrolled at Lourdes University will have the option next year of majoring in beer and wine — making that is.
The university announced it is launching a “one-of-a-kind program” to offer prospective microbrewers and winemakers the opportunity to learn the craft, business, and science of a budding industry. Lourdes is one of the first universities in the country to offer a comprehensive bachelor’s degree program that focuses on brewing, distilling, and winemaking.
Lourdes devised the program, known as the “full bodied degree,” to respond to a growing industry, officials said. The first classes will begin in August, 2019.
“Our administration and excellent faculty strive to be a university that is innovative by choice,” Lourdes University President Mary Ann Gawelek said. “To meet the needs of students and employers, we continue to build and expand our partnerships in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.”
The number of breweries across the country exploded between 2010 to 2016 — growing almost 430 percent from 527 in 2010 to 2,843 in 2016. During that time, the industry also added more than 33,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The bachelor of science degree requires students to complete three internships, including one through the University’s Irish study abroad program. The wide-ranging curriculum includes courses in accounting, chemistry, fermentation, nutrition, and a history course about prohibition.
“Lourdes has designed a program that has contemporary curriculum supported by experiences in the industry,” said vice president for academic affairs Terry Keller. “Our brewing and vineyard partners are excited to work with our students and provide them with the professional skills and knowledge needed to be successful.”
There are roughly 1,400 students enrolled at Lourdes University, a private Catholic university in Sylvania.
Lourdes partnered with local breweries to provide internship opportunities for students. Brewing and vineyard partners include Inside the Five, Black Cloister, Twin Oast, Upside, Heidelberg Distributing, select vineyards in California, and Galway Hooker and Nephin Distillery in Galway, Ireland.
Kate Fields, owner of Inside the Five Brewing, said this program is great for local breweries as the industry continues to expand.
“I think we’ll have the opportunity to give the students some hands-on experience, teach them, and maybe there will be some job opportunities in the future,” she said.
Blade staff writer Lauren Lindstrom contributed to this report
Contact Javonte Anderson at janderson@theblade.com, 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @JavonteA.
First Published September 18, 2018, 10:00 p.m.
