Hyde Park, NY – In
a pair of commencement ceremonies at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of
America, vintner and environmental advocate Julia Jackson told graduates to be
curious, creative, and tenacious. Jackson, the second-generation vintner and
proprietor of California’s Jackson Family Wines, delivered the keynote address
to bachelor’s degree recipients on April 11 and associate degree recipients on April 12.
“Climate change is the greatest issue we face in our
lifetime. It threatens our land, our access to reliable food sources, and our
livelihoods,” Ms. Jackson said. “Big problems call for creative solutions. Your
immersive curriculum in this topic, and other topics at The
Culinary Institute of America, have prepared you to be the next leaders
and problem solvers in the world of food. Tap into that creativity and don’t
give up.”
Ms. Jackson established the Grounded Summit in 2019 to share
solutions to the climate crisis and she has created partnerships with
organizations such as the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Inspired by her mother, she also founded Cambria Seeds of
Empowerment, which celebrates women who overcome hardships and awards $100,000
a year to organizations that embody the values of equality, community, and
spirit.
Ms. Jackson works with the marketing department at
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, as well as with the international
sales team—bringing appreciation of her family’s wines around the world. She is
also proprietor of the family’s Cambria Estate Wines, produced from a vineyard where
she was raised.
The amphitheater at The CIA at Copia in Napa, CA is named in honor of Jackson Family Wines.
Both commencement ceremonies can be found online, including
Ms. Jackson’s address to recipients of bachelor’s degrees in Food Business Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies and her remarks to associate degree graduates majoring in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Vintner and environmental advocate Julia Jackson addressed
graduates of The Culinary Institute of America at bachelor’s and associate commencement
ceremonies at the CIA’s New York campus on April 11 and 12, 2019. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res image >
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America:
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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