Wample chairs new department

The new Department of Viti-culture and Enology will welcome its first chairperson next week when Dr. Robert Wample takes over his duties May 2. Wample said he accepted the position at Fresno State because the College of Agri-cultural Sciences and Technology was unique in having state-of-the-art facilities.

The department, which combined the viticulture and enology programs earlier this year, is the first of its kind in the CSU system. "What I see is the potential for this department to become one of the best, if not the best, in the world for viticulture and enology research and training. The potential is there," Wample said.

Along with his duties as department chair, Wample was appointed the Julio R. Gallo director's chair for the Viticulture and Enology Research Center.