Darren Phillips

The Bobby Lee Lawrence Academy of Wine is housed in Gerald Thomas Hall.

Just a few months ago, the room looked like any other classroom at Gerald Thomas Hall – all stark white walls and linoleum floors. Today, it has been converted into a Tuscan wine cellar, complete with a vaulted ceiling, granite countertops, large wine coolers and heavy wooden doors.

It is the vision Marion Lawrence had for the Bobby Lee Lawrence Academy of Wine at New Mexico State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management.

The classroom, which opened in mid-August, is named after the man who was known as the “Southwest Wine Guy.” Lawrence passed away in 2010, and his wife, Marion, made a $250,000 gift to HRTM to create the wine academy in his memory.

“Bobby Lee took great pleasure in helping people understand the intricacies of how wine is made, how to develop their own palate, and food and wine pairing,” Marion says. “HRTM Director Janet Green has been very generous in allowing me input.”

Due to Marion’s hands-on involvement in the design and construction of the academy, along with her interests in other HRTM programs, she has become a member of the school’s Board of Advisors.

“Mrs. Lawrence has really become an integral part of the School of HRTM,” Green says.

NMSU groups, including alumni, can rent the space for special events by contacting Judy Story at 575-646-5752 or jstory@nmsu.edu.