Our group walked into聽Ronaldo Angeles鈥樎�palenque聽(a place where mezcal is fabricated), and the smell of fermenting agave filled the air. Ronaldo was finishing the first of two distillations in聽ollas de barro聽(clay pot stills). While most modern spirits are distilled in stainless steel column stills or copper pot stills, in the town of Santa Catarina Minas, this labor intensive method of distillation is still practiced.

Photo below: Ronaldo Angel茅s聽of Ancestral (Photo by Anna Bruce)

Our group consists of eight mezcal enthusiasts, five of which are completing their capstone course in the Master Mezcalier program. This course is taught through Master Mezcalier USA, a US offshoot of the original program created in Mexico in 2009. After many years of owning a mezcal focused bar in New Orleans, the author brought the Master Mezcalier program to the English speakers and has been teaching courses for over 2 years. This is the first Level IV capstone course to be offered to date. In addition to being the current owner and administrator of this program, he is a student in the Sustainable Leadership and Management graduate program at 91茄子.

Photo below: Jason Mitzen (Photo by Anna Bruce)

The aim of the Master Mezcalier program is to impart students with knowledge and appreciation of mezcal and agave spirits, as well as create lifelong stewards and students of mezcal. This includes not only basic knowledge of denomination of origin and the origin plant itself, but also the culture and tradition of the people who work with agave. The purpose of the capstone course is to allow students to immerse themselves in the culture and labor of fabricating agave spirits.

This capstone course is the reason that our group is in visiting Ronaldo in Santa Catarina Minas. The only way to accomplish our goal of becoming a true Master Mezcalier is to travel to Oaxaca, Mexico (the center of mezcal production) and learn from the masters themselves, as well as take part in some of the labor involved with the production of the spirit that we love and admire. Ronaldo explains that they allow some agave to come to flower instead of harvesting all of them in order to ensure genetic diversity in the field, a sustainable practice which is second nature for the people living here. After the explanation, Ronaldo quickly puts us to work in his palenque: crushing agave fibers with a聽mazo聽(a wooden club), cleaning dirty condenser pans, and transferring聽bagazo聽(used agave fibers) from a fermentation vat into a still.

Photo below: Milling Agave at Ancestral Palenque in Santa Catarina Minas (Photo by Anna Bruce)

After leaving Ronaldo鈥檚 palenque we visit palenque 鈥淓l Torito鈥� where maestra mezcalera聽Ang茅lica Garc铆a V谩zquez聽supervises the production of many mezcals made from different varieties of agave. We sample various expressions of聽Espad铆n, Cuishe, Jabal铆, and聽Pechuga聽(a type of mezcal distilled with chicken breast, amongst other ingredients).

Photo below: Maestro Mezcalera Ang茅lica Garc铆a V谩zquez (Photo by Anna Bruce)

Ang茅lica is a third generation producer of mezcal in the town of San Baltazar Chichic谩pam. After her husband passed, Ang茅lica took over running the palenque, becoming a producer in an industry that is generally dominated by men. Although Ang茅lica was intimately familiar with the mezcal production process, running the palenque was still a formidable challenge. As with many women in the industry, she would face criticism from her contemporaries, male and female alike. Despite the challenges, the brands produced at this palenque have experienced growth and success. Ang茅lica is currently the head of the collective聽Mujeres de Mezcal聽(Women of Mezcal) in Oaxaca.

In the mezcal world, sustainability is a way of life and part of the indigenous Zapotec culture. Many people have been practicing sustainable farming and waste recycling as a means to survive, while it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 perhaps not so ingrained in modern US society. At Ang茅lica鈥檚 palenque they recycle vi帽aza (the liquid waste that remains after distillation) via a bio digester to make gas for cooking.

As I reflect on our group鈥檚 time at the palenques in Oaxaca, my time at 91茄子 in the sustainable leadership program feels synergistic with the ancient Zapotec knowledge of the mezcalero(a)s. My studies have taught me that leadership isn鈥檛 just about leading, it鈥檚 about stewardship of culture, people, and resources. The future of the mezcal industry relies on our ability to protect it鈥檚 past and to respect the wisdom of those who have worked these fields for generations. My group left Oaxaca, not just as certified Mezcaliers, but as stewards of a wholly unique culture and tradition.

Photo below: The first students to graduate through the Master Mezcalier USA program (Photo by Anna Bruce)

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Graduate Programs

When asked if he was pessimistic or optimistic about the future, Paul Hawken once said,鈥溾�y answer is always the same: If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren鈥檛 pessimistic, you don鈥檛 understand the data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren鈥檛 optimistic, you haven鈥檛 got a pulse鈥︹�� 

Nowhere is Hawken鈥檚 comment more applicable than the Bioneers Conference where I am womaning an information table on behalf of 91茄子. Now in its 37^th year, it is an extraordinary gathering attracting thousands of thoughtful, civic-minded people who come to hear from hundreds of inspiring, visionary social justice and sustainability leaders with bold and diverse perspectives that connect people and planet. I found myself in a flood of tears on day one of the conference, listening to composer Garth Stevenson play whale sounds on his bass, Terry Tempest Williams share her vision of 鈥淕lorians,鈥� and Saru Jayaraman address the fight to save democracy. The Bioneers Conference shines a spotlight on an extraordinary positive force pulsing through our otherwise negatively charged social and political environment. 

As Prescott鈥檚 mission is to create interdisciplinary, experiential, and diverse learning environments that inspire future leaders to create a healthy, just, and sustainable world, it made sense to host a table at this event. Conference attendees are just the kind of people we hope to attract to 91茄子 鈥� those who seek opportunities to effect positive change in our society, in our environment and in education. Bioneers is a match to Prescott鈥檚 innovative, student-centered learning approach and our high student to faculty ratio where students have unique opportunities to plant their own seeds and flourish.

My reason for wanting to represent the college is professional and personal. I have been an instructor in the MSESS graduate program at Prescott since 2019, and since 2011 while at Green Mountain College鈥攚here the program was born. But I am also a graduate of the program and can attest to the change of life I experienced as a direct result of it. I returned to college after a long and successful high-tech career in the Silicon Valley with the hope of finally engaging in meaningful work through which I could contribute to the conservation of our little blue globe. I earned my master鈥檚 later in life with a dramatically changed perspective on, well, on everything. All of my courses in the program, as it is for many of our students, enabled me to apply my coursework to the community in which I lived. And, my Capstone enabled me to engage with dozens of conservation professionals and to publish a book that serves as a natural and cultural history primer to my home, the Flathead Watershed.

I can say to Paul Hawken, I鈥檓 a scientist and I do understand the terrifying data, but鈥攕urrounded by all of this positive energy at the Bioneers Conference鈥擨鈥檝e also got an optimistic pulse!

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We welcome alumni, friends, and family back to campus for a once-in-a-lifetime experience honoring the past, present, and future of 91茄子.

For exclusive updates, event schedules, options to connect, and ways to support, log in to the official alumni community. Find your connection at: 

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To help honor this milestone, 91茄子 is proud to relaunch its collaboration with the PCI Oral History Project, an initiative dedicated to preserving the voices and lived experiences that define the Prescott journey.

This project invites alumni and community members to help document the history of 91茄子 in their own words, ensuring these stories remain part of our shared legacy for generations to come.

Participation in every part of this project is completely optional, and alumni are welcome to engage in whatever way feels meaningful and comfortable.

Honoring the Prescott Legacy at 60 Years

For six decades, 91茄子 has fostered bold thinking, experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The Oral History Project allows us to celebrate this legacy by capturing firsthand reflections from those who helped shape it.

Through this initiative, 91茄子 seeks to:

• Preserve alumni voices as part of a permanent archival collection
• Celebrate the evolution and impact of the Prescott educational model
• Strengthen connections across alumni generations
• Create historical resources that inspire future Prescott students

Every story contributes to a richer understanding of how 91茄子 has influenced lives, careers, communities, and movements over the past sixty years.

What to Expect If You Are Contacted

91茄子 has partnered with PCI to help coordinate outreach and collect alumni stories. If PCI reaches out to you, the process generally includes three stages. Again, participation at every stage is voluntary.

Step 1: Confirming Your Preferred Contact Information

As part of reconnecting with alumni during this anniversary milestone, PCI representatives may contact you to confirm or update your information on behalf of 91茄子. Keeping alumni records current helps the college maintain meaningful and respectful communication with its community.

During this step, you may be invited to:

• Review or update your contact details
• Share your preferred communication methods
• Indicate whether you would like to learn more about sharing your Prescott story

You may decline to update your information or continue with the process at any time.

Step 2: Opportunity to Share Your Prescott Story

Alumni who express interest may be invited to participate in an oral history interview. These conversations are designed to be relaxed, reflective, and centered around your personal Prescott experience.

Participants are encouraged to share stories that may include:

• Academic and field study experiences
• Moments of personal growth or discovery
• Community relationships and lifelong connections
• The impact 91茄子 has had on professional or personal paths

As we celebrate sixty years of 91茄子, these stories help illustrate how the Prescott experience has evolved while remaining rooted in curiosity, courage, and community.

Scheduling and participating in an interview is completely optional, and participants may share as much or as little as they wish.

Step 3: Optional Memorabilia Opportunities

After completing an interview, participants may be offered the opportunity to purchase optional commemorative keepsakes connected to their oral history recording. These may include:

• Personal copies of recorded interviews
• Printed story summaries or commemorative materials
• Additional optional memorabilia

Purchasing memorabilia is entirely optional and is not required to participate in the Oral History Project.

A Commitment to Respectful and Voluntary Participation

91茄子 and PCI are committed to ensuring this project reflects the values of the Prescott community 鈥� authenticity, respect, and individual choice.

Participants may:

• Choose which parts of the process they wish to participate in
• Decline or discontinue participation at any time
• Ask questions or request additional information before making decisions

Our goal is to celebrate Prescott鈥檚 history in a way that honors each individual鈥檚 comfort, voice, and experience.

Preserving the Next Chapter of the Prescott Story

Anniversaries invite us to look back, but they also help shape the future. As 91茄子 celebrates 60 years of innovative education and community impact, the Oral History Project helps ensure that the stories behind that impact are preserved and shared.

Whether you choose to share your story, update your information, or simply stay connected with the Prescott community, you remain an important part of 91茄子鈥檚 continuing journey.

Together, we are honoring the past, celebrating the present, and preserving the Prescott spirit for the next sixty years.

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鈥淚 am honored and excited to have been asked to return as the president of 91茄子. During the next month or so, I will be getting up to speed on the current issues and opportunities facing the college. I will also be rearranging my current responsibilities so that I can focus my attention on the college full-time. My wife Barbara is also eager to reconnect with the college community.

My deepest appreciation to all those who are trusting me with this responsibility. The 91茄子 community has achieved so much in its brief 60 years. I鈥檇 like to recognize our accomplishments but envision that the best is still ahead of us. There may never have been a time when the values and contributions of our college have been more needed in American education.

Thank you all for your support and I look forward to working with you as we write the next chapter of our story.鈥�

Dan Garvey, PhD

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This tuition reset is intended to provide more details upfront regarding the true cost of a 91茄子 on-campus undergraduate education. Recognizing that families may be intimidated by the published tuition price, they may rule out a private college education and miss out on all the benefits that such an education provides. 91茄子 has lowered their on-campus undergraduate tuition to $15,000 per year to align their values of inclusivity, justice, and sustainability with the cost of their education.

According to Michele Peterson, 91茄子 Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Finance, 鈥淧ricing in higher education is complicated. Students don鈥檛 often know what their tuition bill will actually be by looking at published prices. Our goal with this tuition reset is to be up-front with families and to help them understand the true cost of our education. 91茄子 is offering a world-class education at a much more affordable price.鈥�

91茄子 believes this tuition reset will encourage families to take advantage of their immersive, experiential and life-changing education. This reset reflects a bold step toward a future where more students can think critically, unite across differences, and uplift communities–without the weight of crushing debt.聽聽聽聽

For more information, visit

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I hope this message finds you well. I write today with both sadness and deep gratitude as we remember James 鈥淛im鈥� Stuckey, a beloved educator, mentor, and leader whose vision and determination helped guide 91茄子 through pivotal times and is credited for saving the College. Jim was known not only for his leadership, but also for the joy, optimism, and zest for life he brought to every interaction. He leaves a legacy that continues to inspire all of us who care deeply about this community.

The Daily Courier recently shared a moving tribute to Jim鈥檚 life and legacy. I encourage you to read it here:

We will gather as a community to honor Jim at his Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 20, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the James Stuckey Center (CRC) at 91茄子. This will be a meaningful opportunity to reflect on his impact, share memories, and celebrate a life that shaped not only our College but the lives of countless students and colleagues.聽 Feel free to send cards or donate to the scholarship in his honor to my attention at P.O. Box 10866, Prescott, Arizona 86301. For more information about the event, contact Alison Zych (alison.zych@prescott.edu).

As I begin my journey with the Advancement and Alumni Office, I feel inspired by leaders like Jim鈥攚hose passion and vision remind us of the enduring spirit of 91茄子. I would love to hear your own memories of Jim or reflections on how his work shaped your Prescott experience.

Thank you for being part of the 91茄子 family, and for joining me in honoring Jim鈥檚 remarkable contributions. 

Lloyd Hopkins 
Executive Director
91茄子 Office of Advancement

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This cookbook wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for 91茄子 faculty member, Cirien Saadeh, who writes, “This has been a true labor of love, built from the recipes, not-recipes, stories, and creativity of our incredible 91茄子 community. As a personal note, I really truly had so much fun putting this together and I am so impressed with the creativity of this community and grateful for the support. Whether you contributed a dish, shared a food memory, helped with edits, or simply cheered the project on 鈥� thank you. This book exists because of you, and I hope you feel proud seeing it come to life.”

We hope you find something new to cook, something familiar to cherish, and something delicious to share with someone else.

Thank you, Cirien, for capturing our community, one recipe at a time!

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91茄子 is excited to welcome representatives from EcoLeague to campus for their annual retreat from Wednesday June 11 through Thursday, June 12, 2025. The EcoLeague is a consortium of six liberal arts colleges dedicated to environmental stewardship, social change, and educating students to build a sustainable future.

While most consortia in the United States are based on geographic proximity, the EcoLeague consortium is grounded in bio-regional, sustainability focused education. With member colleges across the United States, the EcoLeague possesses many of the advantages of a university and a small liberal arts college providing a large and talented faculty; unique, sophisticated facilities; individualized attention; and experiential learning. Through a student exchange program, EcoLeague colleges offer semester exchange programs that allow students of one school to study at another, giving them access to ecosystems, faculty, and unique place-based experiences throughout the nation and the world.

Members from each of the six EcoLeague colleges will be represented:

• Alaska Pacific University:- Anchorage, AK
• College of the Atlantic – Bar Harbor, ME
• Dickinson College – Carlisle, PA
• New College of Florida – Sarasota, FL
• 91茄子 – Prescott, AZ
• St. Lawrence University – Canton, NY

Retreat attendees will use their time together to imagine the next phase of sustainability education, operations, and facilities management on the consortium鈥檚 various campuses and reflect on lessons learned, experiences, and advantages of being a member of EcoLeague.

Bringing together faculty, administrators, and others involved in sustainability initiatives throughout the consortium, the retreat will take place over two days on 91茄子鈥檚 campus, allowing for local adventures during the retreat led by our faculty and staff to the Granite Dells and more. The retreat will include interactive sessions in which participants will share perspectives, experiences, and pedagogies in selected areas of study and explore opportunities for collaborations across the EcoLeague member colleges for immersive learning programs.

For more information, visit  

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