“Heart and Soul of the Verde Campus . . ..”

Longtime Verde Valley resident and art instructor Tom Schumacher was recently honored by staff and faculty for his forty years of service at Yavapai College’s Verde Valley campus in Clarkdale. “To me, Tom Schumacher is the heart and soul of the Verde Campus,” said fellow instructor Terence Pratt. “He’s had an indelible effect on our institution and has built an art department that hundreds of our citizens have benefited from.”

Among his many accomplishments is the wine-making program on the Verde Valley Campus. In 2009, the wine-making program was established primarily because of Tom’s persistence and hard work.  Five years later the Southwest Wine Center became a reality. Schumacher recalls working with 30 volunteers on a blazing-hot June day to plant the first acre of grapevines, and thinking, “God I hope these things grow.” They did! There is now a 13 acre vineyard and a $3 million dollar  academic winery on the Verde Campus, thanks to his groundbreaking efforts.  The first wines from the winery have won accolades from the wine industry.

“I’m very proud of our viticulture and enology programs, not only for what they have done for the (wine) industry, but for the community. The community is now thriving because of this industry.”

Schumacher holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.  Along with his wife, Deborah, a financial aid advisor at Yavapai College, he has  raised their two children in the Verde Valley. He says he plans to continue teaching ceramics and Photoshop at the College along with creating his own artwork.

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