Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

By Danielle Damon ’18 ’19

We have all heard of wine and dining, but alumni Bill Whiting ’90 has volunteered his niche knowledge to bring a new perfect pairing to UD.

Bill has more than 25 years of experience in the wine industry and is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Wine Educator. Bill says, “Wine is in my blood.”

Like wine, being a UD alumnus is an unmistakable part of Bill’s identity.

When asked to co-host the virtual wine pairing event “Marianists and Bordeaux: A Perfect Pairing” on December 3, Bill was excited to volunteer, bring joy to others, and nurture connections among UD alumni and friends.

Bill leans into any chance he gets to stay engaged with UD — it is the people that keep him coming back.

“Over my 30 plus years of being part of the UD community, anyone I have come across who attended UD, or is a UD relative, are the most amazing people,” Bill said. “It is such a tight-knit family and we all have the same love for the school.”

During the first-of-its-kind event, Bill's love for UD and wine was perfectly complemented by Marianist history presented by co-host and UD Director of Marianist Strategies Allison Leigh ’05 ’16.

Bill and Allison virtually traveled to Bordeaux that evening with nearly 200 alumni, parents, students and staff from 25 states. The event recording has since circulated to other family and friends, and even made its way to a new faculty and staff orientation at Moeller High School in Cincinnati.

“Wine is a universal beverage that has been around for thousands of years,” Bill said. “It is even better when shared with friends.”

Share a glass with Bill on May 12 during our next event, "Farm to Flyers: Our UD Beginning," and experience a new version of this perfect pairing. Learn more and register now.