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Alumni Association News

New alumni officers and board members for 2001-2002

New Virginia Tech Alumni Association President Gene A. James (animal science '53), President-Elect John B. Higginbotham (civil engineering '77), and Vice President Paul M. Saunders (agricultural engineering '54) have begun their one-year terms as officers.

James, retired president and CEO of Southern States Cooperative Inc., has been president of the Virginia Tech Foundation, director of the Leadership Council of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and director of the Virginia Tech Economic Development Council.
Higginbotham, founder and chairman of the venture capital firm SpaceVest, was formerly a co-founder, director, and senior vice president of International Technology Underwriters, Inc., a space and telecommunications insurance underwriting management company. Higginbotham, who earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1979, has served on the College of Engineering Committee of 100 and was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 1986.
Saunders is the owner of Saunders Brothers Inc., an orchard and nursery in Piney River, Va. He has served on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Council and the Ag Alumni Board of Directors and is active in the American Boxwood Association. His seven sons are all Tech graduates.

The four newly elected board members are Peter Darby (architecture '90), Elizabeth Leonard (agronomy '80), Kevin Mottley (political science '93), and Coleman Rector (building construction '86). Incumbents elected to a second term are Patricia Brown Beuttel '74, Graham Lilly '60, Stephanie McClellan '85, Kimble Reynolds '88, Jesse Richardson '84, Paul Saunders '54, and Laurie Wright '96. Terms are three years.

Alumni educational tours

Virginia Tech alumni have enjoyed traveling together to Ireland, Italy, France, Scotland, Greece, Sicily, Austria, and other places for special "campus abroad" programs. Great destinations, lifelong learning, unpacking just once, seven-night itineraries, and value pricing have made the Alumni Association Alumni Campus Abroad (ACA) tours the most popular among travel opportunities for alumni. The ACA concept provides an educational experience in a special international environment. Through a series of lectures, excursions, and "meet the local citizens" exchanges, participants learn about the economy, culture, and history of each country and region. Virginia Tech's deans and university staff often serve as hosts for ACA programs.

An exceptional value, ACA programs include roundtrip air, accommodations, all meals, excursions, and educational content in a price range from $2,195 to $2,395 per person inclusive. Laura Wedin (lwedin@vt.edu or 540/231-6285) has itineraries for the 2002 season.

International chapters and events

The Virginia Tech Alumni Association has over 100 alumni chapters throughout the world. Although most of the chapters are in the United States, several are in such places as Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Panama, and Nicaragua. Plans are currently underway to form a chapter in Greece.

The chapters in Hong Kong and Malaysia, which meet on a regular basis, were created by alumni shortly after they left Virginia Tech for their home countries. The other chapters were originally brought together by faculty members hosting study abroad trips or conducting research at international sites. Tom Hammett, associate professor of wood science and forest products, helped start chapters in Panama and Nicaragua, where he has hosted study abroad programs. John Ballweg, emeritus professor of sociology, started another in the Philippines.

Other international events are sponsored through the Hokies Abroad program, where Virginia Tech faculty traveling abroad host alumni gatherings on behalf of the Alumni Association. Events have been hosted by faculty in Hong Kong, Beijing, London, and Australia, and future events are being planned for Paris and Tokyo. For more information on international alumni chapters or the Hokies Abroad program, contact Debbie Shelton by e-mail at hokie@vt.eduor 540/231-6285.

Fall Reunion Schedule

September 8, 2001
VT vs. Western Michigan
Corps of Cadets Alumni Reunion

September 29, 2001
VT vs. Central Florida
Class of 1956 - 45th Reunion
Class of 1966 - 35th Reunion
MBA Reunion
Engineering Committee of 100

October 13, 2001
VT vs. Boston College (Homecoming)

October 27, 2001
VT vs. Syracuse
Class of 1961 - 40th Reunion
Class of 1971 - 30th Reunion
College of Natural Resources Reunion
College of Architecture & Urban Studies Open House

December 1, 2001
VT vs. Miami
Class of 1981 - 20th Reunion
Class of 1986 - 15th Reunion
Class of 1991 - 10th Reunion
Class of 1996 - 5th Reunion
Student Alumni Associates Reunion

For more information about any Alumni Association item, please contact the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Alumni Hall (0102), Blacksburg, VA 24061; phone 540/231-6285; fax 540/231-3039; e-mail VaTechAlumni@vt.edu. Alumni can register with the Alumni Association at www.VaTechAlumni.com.