Virginia Tech Magazine
Alumni Association
Fall 2009

Alumni Association Annual Report 2008-09
Awards presented by the Alumni Association
Virginia Tech's talent and service extend around the world and are embodied in the achievements of loyal alumni, faculty and staff members, and students. Each year, a few of these individuals are recognized with special awards or citations by the university and the Alumni Association.

During the past year, the following individuals were identified and recognized for their special service to society, their professional achievements, or their exemplary performance as members of the university community.

Congratulations to all who were nominated or selected for their achievements and service. We encourage future nominations of others who may be deserving of special recognition.

WILLIAM H. RUFFNER MEDAL
Eugene V. Fife (business administration '62)
Retired general partner of Goldman Sachs & Co., currently heads Vawter Capital LLC
UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Henry A. Long (business administration '59)
Founder of Long and Foster, currently heads the Henry A. Long Co.
ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS
Marni E. Byrum (political science '76)
Attorney
Patricia Caldwell (mathematics '71)
Cofounder of Gordian Group LLC
John B. Higginbotham (civil and environmental engineering '77)
CEO of Integral Systems Inc.
GRADUATE ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Joseph M. DeSimone (Ph.D. chemistry '90)
Chaired professor at University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University
OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNI AWARDS
Graduates of the past 10 years representing the academic colleges
John S. Radcliffe '95, '97, '00
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Lia Bratten-Hager '98
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Nicholas D'Angelo '00
Pamplin College of Business
Kelley E. Jessee '02
College of Engineering
Caitlin A. McHale '06
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Sean K. Wohltman '04
Sybille A. Klenzendorf '02
College of Natural Resources
John F. Berry '00
Kevin M. Rosso '98
College of Science
Tanya LeRoith '99
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
ALUMNI AWARD FOR OUTREACH EXCELLENCE
Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor of English
ALUMNI AWARD FOR TEAM OUTREACH EXCELLENCE
CENTER FOR WATERSHED STUDIES:
Brian Benham, associate professor of biological systems engineering and director, Center for Watershed Studies
Kevin Brannan, former research associate
Theo Dillaha, professor of biological systems engineering
Conrad Heatwole, associate professor of biological systems engineering
Sang Min Kim, former postdoctoral associate
Karen Kline, research scientist
Saied Mostaghimi, H.E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor and head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering
Mary Leigh Wolfe, professor of biological systems engineering
Gene Yagow, senior research scientist
Rebecca Zeckoski, former research associate
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Amy Nelson, associate professor of history
Ann Stevens, associate professor of biological sciences
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC ADVISING
Wayne Moore, associate professor of political science
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN GRADUATE ACADEMIC ADVISING
Hanif Sherali, University Distinguished Professor and W. Thomas Rice Chair of Industrial and Systems Engineering
WILLIAM E. WINE AWARDS
Carol Bailey, associate professor of sociology
Jaime De La Ree Lopez, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering
John Simonetti, associate professor of physics
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Jan Helge Bøhn, associate professor of mechanical engineering
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH
M. David Alexander, professor and department unit chair for the School of Education
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
Sue Tolin, professor of plant pathology, physiology, and weed science
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EXTENSION
David Moore, unit coordinator and Extension agent, Middlesex Cooperative Extension Service
Tony Wolf, professor of horticulture and director of the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agriculture Research and Extension Center
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Roger Ekirch, professor of history
Brett Tyler, professor at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute
GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
Linsey Barker, industrial and systems engineering (Teaching Award)
Sunny Crawley, biological sciences (Teaching Award)
Christina Newman, crop and soil environmental science (Service Award)
OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC COLLEGE SENIOR
Class of 2009 graduates recognized by the Alumni Association for scholarship and leadership
Meagan Meyers
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Amrita Raja
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
B. Stuart Vyule
Pamplin College of Business
Alek Duerksen
College of Engineering
Kathleen Cooperstein
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Ritchie Vaughan
College of Natural Resources
Kevin Finelli
College of Science
Lindsay Turnbull
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
IN THIS EDITION
. Commentary

. Alumni Association Annual Report

. Virginia Tech's international presence

. Hokie Nation serves

. Chapter awards


Virginia Tech