Linfield President Thomas Hellie bestows upon local winemaker Jason Lett an honorary degree for Lett's father, David, who pioneered winemaking in Oregon.

Linfield College awarded degrees to more than 600 undergraduates Sunday. It also awarded an honorary doctorate, posthumously, to Oregon wine pioneer David Lett. Lett was honored for his vision and persistence, which led him to plant Oregon's first vineyard in the mid-1960s - a time when experts said winegrapes couldn't grow here.

At Eyrie Vineyards, he produced wines that became world-renowned. He also helped found the International Pinot Noir Celebration and played a key role in industry development.

Trustees notified Lett last fall, just a few weeks before his death, that he would be receiving an honorary doctor of science degree at commencement.

"He was delighted by this honor," said his son, Jason, who accepted the degree on behalf of his father. He joked that the elder Lett had planned to study medicine before he discovered wine.

"At 21, he was rejected by 12 medical schools," Jason said. "Now he's finally a doctor."

The younger Lett, who is continuing the family's winemaking tradition, said his dad's success was due to his ability to "blend heart, head and hand."

Since his heart was open to possibilities, Jason said, his dad paid attention when he was hit by the idea of making really good wine.

During a trip to California for yet another graduate school interview, he stopped at one of the few premium wineries in the Napa Valley in the mid-1960s.

Within a few hours, he was asking for a job there. Within a few months, he was enrolled in a viticulture program.

"Go for it, take detours," Jason Lett advised Linfield graduates on his father's behalf. "Follow your goals, but keep your eyes open."

David Lett used his head to apply not the specific knowledge he learned in viticulture school, but the skills he had gained, his son said.

At the time, California was producing huge quantities of mediocre wine, and viticulture students were learning to continue that tradition.

But Lett had other ideas. Foremost among them was the idea, considered radical at the time, that winegrapes would not only survive in cooler climates, but that they would produce more interesting wines as a result of their struggles.

He applied vine cultivation and winemaking skills in a new way, after moving to Oregon with 3,000 pinot noir cuttings and starting his own vineyard. Within a few years, his wines were being celebrated internationally.

"Don't be afraid to throw out almost everything you've learned," Jason Lett advised graduates. "You have the tools to think things through and apply them in new ways."

As far as using his "hand," Jason said, his father treasured the environment, showered his family and friends with love and valued quality over profit. He produced only 5,000 to 6,000 cases of wine annually for many years - a small batch, in comparison to many wineries - so he could personally ensure the quality.

"Personal dedication trumps financial power," the younger Lett told graduates.

He ended his speech with a toast to the Class of 2009: "Congratulations, and cheers."

Chaplain David Massey opened the commencement ceremony with a prayer asking God to "help graduates continue to learn throughout their lives, equip them with resilience, outfit them with persistence and daring, and develop in them the will and skill to accomplish every good and worthy goal."

Adjacent to the graduation green, the Class of 2009 had repainted the senior bench to resemble the branches of the Old Oak in winter. The symbolic tree toppled when members of the graduating class were juniors.

President Thomas Hellie honored three retiring faculty members: Larry Marsh, professor of music, who had been at Linfield since 1981; Sandra Kiehl, business professor since 1988; and David Groff, director of the Portland campus since 1987 and associate dean of academic affairs since 1996.

Graduation day was gorgeous - bright and sunny. Temperatures were in the mid-50s as spectators took their seats, but rose to near 70 by the time the last diploma was awarded.

It was quite a contrast to the bitter day in December originally set aside for Linfield's mid-year commencement. Two weeks of unseasonable snow eventually forced its cancellation, so mid-year graduates joined the larger spring class Sunday.

With more than 600 students receiving degrees through the main campus, the nursing school in Portland and the adult degree completion program, the ceremony was the largest Linfield had ever hosted.

Graduates marched onto the lawn next to the Oak Grove wearing black robes and mortarboards, their necks draped with red banners and chords in various colors signifying different fields and honors. Spectators applauded, waving banners and bouquets and clicking cameras.

Neil and Jane Brady arrived early to get good seats so they could see their nephew, Matthew McCollum, cross the stage. Actually, McCollum wasn't difficult to spot, as he stands 6 foot 9.

"He calls his dad 'Shorty,'" Neil Brady joked, pointing to Mark McCollum, who stands well over 6 feet himself.

McCollum, liked many other members of the graduating class, was following a family tradition.

Both his dad and mom, Nancy, graduated from the college in the 1970s. His paternal grandmother, Anne (Sitton) McCollum, was a member of the Class of 1934, while his maternal grandparents, Tom and Joann (Kilen) Foster, were members of the Class of 1950. And his sister, Katelin (McCollum) Lomax, received her degree two years ago.

The Bradys, who moved to McMinnville last year to be near family, said they wouldn't have missed seeing the latest member of the clan graduate. Besides, Neil Brady said, "Matthew's very loving and caring. He's a great kid."

He showed his perseverance by switching from baseball to basketball after he blew out his pitching arm, his uncle said. And he showed it again by earning a degree in physics, which he plans to use as a teacher.

"He's got his head on straight," his uncle said proudly.

On the opposite side of the graduation green, Rose and Carl Smith picked out seats early so they would have a good view of the stage. The Eugene couple was eager to see granddaughter Ashlee Rose Smith receive her degree in business.

The new Linfield graduate plans to go on to graduate school in business and design. She also has a part-time job lined up in the design field.

Her grandparents are sure she will do well. "She's a wonderful granddaughter. She's full of love, faithfulness and honesty," Rose Smith.