(SND) - The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation has pledged a $3 million gift to Sonoma State University. The gift will support the construction of the new home for SSU’s Wine Business Institute, which will be named the Wine Spectator Learning Center.

“Sonoma State University has taken a leadership position in wine business education, an important field that deserves support,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator. “The potential benefits to the wine industry are enormous. We are pleased to be able to help the University and their students achieve their goals.”

Upon completion, the 15,000-square foot building will be organized around three focal areas: an education core with three classrooms; a student commons with areas for collaboration and student-run businesses; and an industry center with space for professional and academic faculty and program leadership.

“Wine Spectator is the premier media brand in education for the wine industry and Sonoma State University is a global leader in wine business education and research,” said Ruben Armiñana, president of Sonoma State University. “This is a great pairing of two world class education partners.”