World Renowned Wine Educator Kevin Zraly to be honored by SUNY Delhi with Doctorate

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Kevin Zraly--Photo by Jennifer May

DELHI, NY (05/10/2014)(readMedia)-- World-renowned wine educator Kevin Zraly '70 will be presented an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at SUNY Delhi's 97th annual commencement exercises Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in the Maines Arena, Clark Field House.

"Kevin is recognized worldwide for his knowledge and contributions to the wine industry and we are proud to celebrate his exceptional achievements," said President Candace S. Vancko. "His knowledge, passion and ability to engage wine enthusiasts have brought a new appreciation of the culinary arts to millions."

Kevin Zraly is an internationally-acclaimed wine educator and best-selling author. He is most widely known as wine director at the Windows on the World restaurant atop One World Trade Center. As wine director, Windows on the World became the country's top grossing restaurant and sold more wine than any restaurant in the world. Zraly founded the Windows on the World Wine School, which has graduated more than 20,000 students since 1976. He has also forged business and educational partnerships with industry leaders, including Smith and Wollensky restaurants, Sherry Lehmann, New York's leading wine and spirits retailer, and Robert Parker, America's leading wine critic.

Zraly is the author of three books, including Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. Now in its sixth edition, the book has sold over four million copies.

Zraly was named a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2011. He also earned the 2006 Wine Literary Award, the 1993 James Beard Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Award (the first non-vintner to earn the honor), the Food and Beverage Association's Man of the Year Award, the 2009 Wine Professional of the Year Award from Santé magazine, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Wine Council, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Wine Educators.

Zraly has hosted the Food Networks' Wine A to Z and has been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, People, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, GQ, and Newsweek and on CBS's "The Early Show" and reuters.com.

Zraly's SUNY connections are extensive. He began his academic career at SUNY Delhi, earned an associate degree from Ulster County Community College and a bachelor's degree from SUNY New Paltz. He taught the first credit-bearing wine course in the SUNY system at Ulster.

Zraly has worked closely with SUNY Delhi's nationally-recognized hospitality and culinary arts programs to expand educational opportunities for students. His efforts have helped raise over $100,000 for the Kevin Zraly Scholarship Endowment and that endowment continues to grow thanks to Zraly's personal financial commitment. This endowment has grown to become one of the largest sources of annual scholarships for hospitality students at SUNY Delhi.

Over 600 candidates for baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees and certificates are expected to graduate on May 17. President Vancko will recognize the Baccalaureate Student of the Year and the Associate Degree Student of the Year. Also scheduled to address the graduates are Provost John Nader and Vice President for Student Life Barbara Jones. Elizabeth Frisbee, veterinary science technology instructor, will sing the national anthem and the alma mater.

SUNY Delhi is a member of the State University of New York, the largest comprehensive university system in the U.S. Delhi's seamless approach to education includes over 60 academic programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in specialized program areas, including Nursing, Hospitality Management, Business and Professional Golf Management, Golf and Sports Turf Management, Information Technology Management, Architectural Design and Building, Construction Technology and Management, Business and Technology Management and Criminal Justice. For more information about SUNY Delhi, call toll-free 1-800-96-DELHI or visit Delhi's web site at www.delhi.edu.