Cincinnati International Wine Festival awarded over $22K to CState for student scholarships

Academics, Community, Fundraisers, Students

Jul 9, 2025

Accepting Cincinnati State's award from the Cincinnati International Wine Festival: Front row - Elliott Ruther, Chief of Advancement & Executive Director of the Cincinnati State Foundation; Yvonne Baker, Dean of the Business Division; Sarah Gagnon, Executive Director of CIWF; Michael Whitley, Director of the Midwest Culinary Institute. Back row - CIFW leaders and staff members.

In June 2025, the Cincinnati International Wine Festival (CIWF) awarded $22,400 to the Cincinnati State Foundation, in partnership with the Midwest Culinary Institute (MCI), to support student scholarships.

As one of Cincinnati State’s longest-running benefactors, CIWF has provided awards to the College every year, starting in 2003, and continuing for more than 20 years.

The annual grant from CIWF provides scholarships for MCI students in a range of programs, in honor of CIWF’s founder, Russ Wiles. When funds allow, students with emergency funding needs also can receive assistance for the cost of their knife kits.

Cincinnati International Wine Festival funds are awarded to support workforce development in the local culinary industry and to recognize MCI’s strong engagement with the annual, multi-day wine festival. Each year MCI faculty, staff members, and students prepare and distribute thousands of desserts as volunteers at the festival. Also, in March 2025 MCI hosted CIWF’s judges panel, welcoming 40 regional experts to Cincinnati State’s campus.

Michael Whitley, Director of the Midwest Culinary Institute, said, “We are very grateful for the Cincinnati International Wine Festival’s generosity in supporting Cincinnati State. Participating in the annual Wine Festival allows MCI to showcase our pastry students’ skills while adding something to sweet to an already great event!”