Distinguished Professor Liz Thach Honored for "Excellence in Education"

Wine Business Faculty Honored for Educational Excellence by Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce
August 17, 2015

ROHNERT PARK, California - The School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University today announced that Dr. Liz Thach, MW received the "Excellence in Education" award from leaders of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and its members. Dr. Thach is a wine business and management professor teaching in both the undergraduate, MBA, and Wine MBA programs. The annual Chamber event brings members of the business and education communities together to recognize the contributions of area teachers at all education levels.
 
"It's a tremendous honor to be recognized by peers, colleagues, and associates. I spent years as an executive at Fortune 500 companies and there's no greater validation than doing right by my students. They put forward a high level of effort and excellence each day," Dr. Liz Thach, Distinguished Professor of Wine said. "I share this award with them, and appreciate that the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce takes time each year to recognize the teaching and teachers charged with helping our students develop essential skills for rewarding lives and successful careers."   
 
In addition to teaching, Dr. Thach has visited and researched the major wine regions of the world in more than 25 countries. She has published over 120 articles and 6 wine textbooks, including Wine: A Global Business and Wine Marketing & Sales, among others. A fifth generation Californian, she earned a Ph.D. from Texas A&M and Master of Wine (MW) from the Institute of Masters of Wine in London, England.
 
"We congratulate Liz on this important distinction. It's always gratifying when one of our faculty members is recognized for their leadership. This accolade is another example of our commitment to being the global leader in wine business research and education," Dr. William S. Silver, Dean of the School of Business and Economics said.    
 
The School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University is the first institution of higher learning in the U.S. to offer undergraduate and advanced degrees focused on the business of wine. It is the first school of business in the world to offer an executive-level wine degree. For more information about the School and its programs, please contact (707) 664-2377 or visit www.sonoma.edu/sbe.  
 
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About the School of Business and Economics
Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics' vision is to be the educational nucleus of a thriving North Bay economy.  Its mission is to create extraordinary learning experiences for our students and to advance best business practices in the North Bay and beyond. With undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs serving over 1500 students each year and concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Wine Business, and Economics, the School offers the most in-demand degree on the Sonoma State campus. The School of Business and Economics is accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), making it one of 15% of all business schools in the world to meet these standards of excellence. For more information, visit sonoma.edu/sbe.