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WORLD AT WAR The influence of World War I magazine on Virginia Tech

BURNING ISSUES A fiery course in forest ecology IMAGINE A DESTINATION FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION FOR CREATIVITY A DESTINATION CLAIM YOUR ROLE THAT VTMAG.VT.EDU

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VTAlumniMagazineADv2.indd 1 4/29/2019 4:38:10 PM FEATURES 24 IMAGINE THAT With dedicated spaces designed to exercise imaginations, Virginia Tech’s Creativity and Innovation District moves ideas from concept to real-world application.

34 THE TRANSFORMATIONAL EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR On July 2, 1919, Virginia Tech unveiled a stone memorial, The Rock, dedicated to those who died in World War I. The monument's dedication was the beginning of an era of change for the university.

40 BURNING ISSUES Students in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment are learning how to use fire to restore and protect forests.

DEPARTMENTS 4 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

6 AROUND THE DRILLFIELD 16 How Tech Ticks 18 Question 19 Athletics 20 Corps 21 What's In It?

46 AROUND THE HOKIE NATION 46 Alumna Profile: Morgan Blackwood Patel 51 Class Notes 59 Travel 62 Retro CONTENTS 63 Alumni Commentary 64 Family TUNNEL VISION STILL LIFE Once a picturesque village in France, Vauquois became a World War 70 I battleground. Soldiers from both sides dug tunnels in an attempt to destroy their enemies with underground explosives. Virginia Tech’s 72 END NOTE Vauquois Experience Exhibit uses virtual technology and a physical replica to enable participants, like student Dillon Cutaiar, to learn ON THE COVER: Created by movement and more about the experiences of the soldiers who lived and fought in media artist Scotty Hardwig in collabora- tion with visual artist Zach Duer, “Body, Full the tunnels. Turn to page 34 to read about the immersive exhibit. of Time” is a choreographic work that uses motion capture, projection, and interactive This collaborative project is an example of the research that is sup- avatar designs. Photo by David Franusich, a graduate student in the School of Visual ported in Virginia Tech’s Creativity and Innovation District, which is Arts. (at right) Virginia Tech’s award-win- ning FutureHAUS took center stage in featured on page 24. EW WHEELER JOE OF COURTESY New York City’s Times Square during NYCxDESIGN in May. VIRGINIA TECH MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019, VOL. 41, NO. 3 EDITOR LETTERS Erica Stacy

ART DIRECTOR Shanin Glenn

SECTION EDITORS/WRITERS Mason Adams, Jenny Kincaid Boone, TO THE EDITOR Olivia Coleman, Richard Lovegrove, Travis Williams, Grace Baggett (student intern), Brendan Coffey (student intern), Haley Cummings (student intern) WORLD VIEW VOLUNTEER DIGITAL DESIGN Bruce Harper (webmaster) I read with interest your article on the APPRECIATION trip to South Africa by the 17 agricul- PRODUCTION COORDINATOR I am the uncle of Justin Graves (spring Megan Zalecki tural students (VT Monthly, March; 2019, page 42.) PHOTOGRAPHERS also see related story page 7.) Olivia Coleman, Dan Mirolli, Ray Meese, I admire all that the Virginia Tech Erin Williams I lived in South Africa for 13 years, community has done to support my

DIRECTOR OF DESIGN & DIGITAL STRATEGY coming back to the U.S. in 2010. I’ve nephew’s success academically and Brad Soucy experienced being in a huge com- professionally. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR bine on a wheat farm, visiting Kruger Jesse Tuel National Park, living on a mountain I thank God for the VT family for cre- ating a place of study that welcomes all. WINNING SMILE: Virginia Tech President Tim Sands interacts with colleagues at SENIOR ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT alongside baboons outside Cape Town, FOR ALUMNI RELATIONS an event honoring numerous members of the faculty and staff. Being from Tennessee, I’m a big Ten- Matthew M. Winston Jr. living next to a grape farm in the wine district, ministering to people in the nessee Vols fan, but I’m also a VT fan. PUBLISHER Go HOKIES! Tracy Vosburgh townships, and experiencing the won- derful people and foods of this richest Jessie J. Gillis Jr. CONTACTS country of Africa. STORY IDEAS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Humboldt, Tennessee EMAIL: [email protected]. MAIL: VIRGINIA TECH MAGAZINE; I’ve watched the neighboring country, A PIPELINE FOR TALENT 902 PRICES FORK ROAD; UNIVERSITY GATEWAY CENTER, SUITE 2100; BLACKSBURG, VA 24061. ADDRESS CHANGES: Zimbabwe, fall from the breadbasket I recently had the privilege of addressing the Class of 2019 rience that meets the needs of our students, communities, and EMAIL: [email protected]. PHONE: 540-231-6285 of Africa to 95 percent unemploy- BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 5 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. during our spring commencement ceremony. The rain didn’t partners. ment and talked with the people who CLASS NOTES: EMAIL: [email protected]. MAIL: fled to South Africa to find work so dampen their enthusiasm or appreciation for our commence- This summer our Board of Visitors will affirm the university’s CLASS NOTES, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION; HOLTZMAN ment speaker, Coach Frank Beamer. ALUMNI CENTER, VIRGINIA TECH; 901 PRICES FORK RD.; they could send money back to their priorities for the future with a new strategic plan, developed BLACKSBURG, VA 24061. ADVERTISING: IMG COLLEGE, families. Your students are greatly These graduates have a lot to be excited about, as they go into collaboratively with the university community and alumni. [email protected], 540-641-0754. blessed, and I am pleased that they the world with tools and experiences that will help them be suc- The rapidly expanding need for talent in technology and related Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, had the opportunity to see the strug- cessful in their careers and life in general. industries is a primary focus. As I meet with industry, govern- or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, gles others face. ment, and economic development leaders from around the race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran As members of our newest alumni class plan their post-gradua- country, it’s clear that Virginia Tech is well-positioned to make status; or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants A great article and well done. tion future, another group of students, the Class of 2023, is pre- who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the a difference. As the nation’s fifth largest producer of engineer- compensation of other employees, or applicants; or any other L. Eugene Hayden ’58 paring to begin their first year as Hokies in the fall. The skills basis protected by law. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination ing graduates, we are uniquely qualified to support the rapid policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Access at Raleigh, North Carolina and experiences they will need to be ready for the world in four expansion of the tech sector and related demands across multi- 540-231-8771 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300, 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061. years are already changing, and Virginia Tech will adapt to sup- ple industries. port their success and the rapidly expanding industries that will need them. The development of the Innovation Campus in Northern Vir- ginia, the strategic expansion of our Blacksburg campus, and our This is one of higher education’s greatest challenges: antici- advancing health and research presence in Roanoke will maxi- pating the future, staying ahead of the curve, and developing mize our impact. And our dedication to service and outreach in curricular and co-curricular experiences that continue to be rel- the spirit of our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), will truly evant and rewarding. differentiate Virginia Tech from the rest as we develop a pipe- BEST FRIENDS: Justin Graves ’12, At Virginia Tech, our commitment to excellence and our line of diligent, creative, versatile leaders who are ready to meet MAED ’14, and his dog, Charlotte, the challenges ahead. visit with Growley II, the canine modern land-grant mission is driving a transformative process SOMETHING TO SAY? ambassador for the Corps of Send us a message at [email protected]. to ensure that we continue to provide an extraordinary expe- Tim Sands is Virginia Tech’s 16th president. OC DM Cadets.

4 | PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE VTMAG.VT.EDU | 5 ON SAFARI: Virginia Tech students spot a tortoise during a winter break study abroad course in South Africa. AROUND THE DRILLFIELD 16 How Tech Ticks 18 Question 19 Athletics 20 Corps 21 What’s In It? NEWS EXPLORING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH AGRICULTURE SEVENTEEN VIRGINIA TECH STUDENTS SPENT A PORTION of winter break learning firsthand about South Africa as part of a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences study abroad course on food security, wildlife, and conservation. Over the course of two weeks, the students journeyed through South African agri- culture, history, economics, politics, culture, and society. “Whether it is talking about race and the challenges of re- appropriating farms in the wake of apartheid, or it is examin- ing conservation agricultural practices in an arid country with issues of food inequality, many of the challenges that make South Africa so interesting and dynamic are connected to agri- culture. Agriculture is a common thread that unites us all,” said Mark Reiter, an associate professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Extension specialist at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center. He was one of two leaders on the trip.

ADVENTURE AFRICA Learn more about the study abroad experience and view a video at vtmag.vt.edu.

ZEKE BARLOW NEWS | DRILLFIELD | 7 MOOSE, THERAPY DOG VIRGINIA TECH AND 'TRUE ANIMAL HERO' TO FREEZE INFORMING INNOVATION: University leaders, including Brandy Salmon, found- UNDERGRADUATE ing managing director of the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, discuss the future campus during a town hall in Blacksburg. TUITION, INCREASE MINIMUM STARTING PAY FOR STAFF

TWO RECENT UNIVERSITY MOVES will benefit undergraduates and full- time staff employees. In April, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors voted to freeze tuition for MOOSE’S GREATEST SUPERPOWER undergraduates for the 2019-20 aca- is his unconditional love. demic year. Tuition will remain at During the past five years, the 7-year- $11,420 annually for resident students. old therapy dog has partnered with Also, to further support low- and Trent Davis (pictured above), his LIFT OFF: Virginia Tech students Madison Brodnax and Nick Angle conduct a final in- owner and a counselor and coordina- middle-income families seeking a spection of the Ceres satellite, which was named for the Roman goddess of agriculture. tor of Virginia Tech’s Animal Assisted Virginia Tech education, the univer- Therapy at Cook Counseling Center, sity will allocate approximately $5 SATELLITE BUILT BY VIRGINIA TECH UNDERGRADUATES in more than 5,000 individual and million in additional resources—the TRAVELS TO SPACE group counseling sessions. Moose also largest one-year increase in its his- VIRGINIA TECH LEADERS HOLD BLACKSBURG TOWN HALL has been part of countless hours of tory for the second year in a row— IN A GIANT LEAP FOR VIRGINIA TECH, the Center for Space Science and Engi- ABOUT INNOVATION CAMPUS outreach. He has become one of Vir- toward financial aid programs next the first satellite built by undergraduate neering Research at Virginia Tech, ginia Tech’s most beloved celebrities. year. This raises total institutional students has launched into space. known as Space@VT. UNIVERSITY LEADERS SHARED PLANS tech-talent shortage, Virginia Tech will In February, Moose was named the support for student financial aid to and fielded questions about Virginia expand some existing programs at its The students delivered their small satellite The project has provided students studying Virginia Veterinary Medical Associa- more than $55 million for 2019-20. Tech’s new Innovation Campus and Falls Church campus this fall, according to Houston to be incorporated into Nano- aerospace engineering, mechanical engi- tion’s 2019 Animal Hero. The annual the commonwealth’s tech-talent pipe- to Cyril Clarke, executive vice president Racks’ commercially developed CubeSat neering, electrical and computer engineer- In July, Virginia Tech will increase award is given to an animal that has line during a town hall in April for the and provost. deployer. Virginia Tech’s satellite, along its minimum starting pay for full- ing, computer science, and physics with performed a heroic act of service or Blacksburg campus community. with two satellites from other Virginia uni- time, benefits-eligible staff employ- “Construction on the Innovation crucial hands-on experience in both space- provides daily outstanding service for versities, launched on the payload section ees to $12 per hour. The new pay Students, faculty, staff, and community Campus will happen within the next two craft design and manufacturing. humans. Moose not only embodies of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket, rate will take effect July 10. Virginia members gathered in Haymarket The- to five years, though the full scale of pro- those qualities, but also highlights the headed to the International Space Station. The initiative began in June 2016 as part Tech’s current minimum starting pay atre inside Squires Student Center for the grams will unfold over eight years,” said of the Virginia CubeSat Constellation, association’s increased emphasis on for full-time, benefits-eligible staff is hour-long public event. Questions from Brandy Salmon, who is founding manag- The project’s mission: Obtain measure- a collaborative effort between the Vir- mental wellness. the audience ranged from the enrollment ing director of the Innovation Campus. $10.25 per hour and was last adjusted ments of the properties of the Earth’s ginia Space Grant Consortium and four timeline and location specifics to details In April, David Baker was hired as assis- “Moose loves you if you’re super in May 2018. atmosphere in low Earth orbit. As the of its member universities—Virginia smart, and he loves you if you got an about how the Innovation Campus will tant director of governmental and com- satellites’ orbits decay due to atmospheric Tech, Old Dominion University, Uni- F. He loves you if you’ve been in the This increase will raise the annual benefit students in disciplines other than munity affairs, based in Alexandria. drag, the satellite instruments will quan- computer science. versity of Virginia, and Hampton Uni- hospital, and he loves you if you’re salary of approximately 225 employ- In Blacksburg, Virginia Tech expects tify atmospheric density. versity. All three of the university-built a sports star,” Davis said. “Moose ees who currently make less than The university expects to begin offer- to add at least 2,000 more undergradu- For the past several years, an interdisci- CubeSats deployed simultaneously into doesn’t care if you have a mental $12 per hour. Approximately 312 ing Innovation Campus courses in ate students studying computer science, plinary team of 50 undergraduate students orbit by astronauts aboard the Interna- health concern. He doesn’t care if you employees who make between $12 start-up space in Alexandria beginning computer engineering, and related dis- from the College of Engineering and the tional Space Station, where they will got an A or a B or if you didn’t get into and $13.50 per hour will also receive in fall 2020. But as part of an agree- ciplines over the next five years, along College of Science developed CubeSat at function as a constellation. college … That’s got a magic to it.” a salary increase. ment with the state to fulfill a critical with 140 new faculty members.

| | | | 8 DRILLFIELD NEWS DM ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, OF COLLEGE BATTEN ODU OF COURTESY DM NEWS DRILLFIELD 9 VIRGINIA TECH TO IN OTTER NEWS OBSERVE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY A RIVER OTTER BECAME VIRGINIA Tech’s social media sensation after it IT’S OFFICIAL—VIRGINIA TECH WILL was spotted swimming in the Duck observe Indigenous Peoples Day on Pond in March. the second Monday of October each Jim Parkhurst, wildlife Extension year. As part of the university’s ongo- specialist in the College of Natural ing commitment to InclusiveVT, Uni- Resources and Environment, said versity Council approved a resolution that otters have been observed else- to observe this annual celebration of where in the Stroubles Creek and Native Americans to honor their place Tom’s Creek systems. in history and culture. InclusiveVT is the university’s institutional and indi- “I predict that it’s a young otter who vidual commitment to Ut Prosim (That could soon try to find a mate and start I May Serve) in the spirit of commu- a family in the area around the pond,” nity, diversity, and excellence. Vir- Parkhurst said. ginia Tech recognized Indigenous The otter quickly became an online Peoples Day for the first time on Oct. star. A photo on the university’s Ins- 4, 2018. tagram account became its top post in the five years since the account was created. A photo on Tech’s MORE THAN 6,600 HOKIES DONATED $2.8 MILLION TRANSFORMATIONAL RESEARCH: Sharon Landesman Ramey, professor and dis- Facebook page resulted in more than ON GIVING DAY tinguished research scholar at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, is 6,000 reactions, plus more than 1,100 co-leading the nation’s first clinical trial for infant stroke victims. comments and 1,400 shares. THE CALL WENT OUT AND HOKIES Theresa Myers, a spring 2019 graduate joined forces around the globe to answer in marketing who chaired the iSupport Virginia Tech asked Hokies for name in resounding fashion. student giving campaign, said her mes- RESEARCH SCHOLAR CO-LEADS NATION’S FIRST CLINICAL suggestions, resulting in a list that sage to peers was simple. TRIAL FOR REHABILITATING INFANT STROKE VICTIMS included Ot Prosim, Otter Sandman, More than 6,600 people gave during Vir- Alma Motter, and Otterson Caldwell, “If we didn’t have this outside support, STROKES ARE DEVASTATING EVENTS QUIRE. The grant was awarded by the ginia Tech’s Giving Day, which began among others. In a vote across Vir- maybe half of your friends wouldn’t be often associated with people over 65. But National Institute of Neurological Dis- at noon on March 19 and ran through ginia Tech’s social media platforms, noon on March 20. The joint effort far able to attend such a great university,” large numbers of infants have strokes, too. orders and Stroke of the National Insti- Hokies overwhelmingly chose “Otter surpassed last year’s participation total Myers said, referencing the fact that tutes of Health. In the nation’s first multicenter pedi- Sandman” as the otter’s name. of 4,617 people and topped this year’s more than 50 percent of students receive some type of financial aid. atric stroke recovery trial, researchers The Phase III trial will examine the effec- goal—5,500—by more than 20 percent. and clinicians from 12 sites across the tiveness of pediatric therapy to increase U.S. will evaluate an innovative thera- The landmark participation during the HOKIES LOVE TO GIVE: Virginia Tech’s upper extremity skills, gross motor peutic approach to help 8-month-old to second-annual 24-hour fundraising cam- annual Giving Day for 2019 began at development, and cognition in 240 noon on March 19 and ended at noon 24-month-old infants who have been paign resulted in $2.8 million given to children nationwide who experienced on March 20. diagnosed with strokes. more than 500 areas across the university. strokes when they were younger than 4 Sharon Landesman Ramey, a profes- weeks old. The Giving Day effort included more sor and distinguished research scholar at than 340 ambassadors, who not only EXTRA, EXTRA! Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Findings from the trial have the poten- gave but encouraged others to join in, READ ALL ABOUT IT. VTC, is one of two lead principal inves- tial to transform clinical rehabilitation and nearly 120 matching or challenge DANCE CULTURE: Virginia Tech’s For additional details, images, and tigators for a five-year, $13.5 million for more than 3,000 newly diagnosed Indigenous Peoples Day celebration gifts, roughly triple the 2018 total. Those videos related to the stories featured grant to conduct the trial, called I-AC- infants in the United States. featured traditional dances. gifts spanned 22 colleges and programs. in Drillfield, go to vtmag.vt.edu.

| | | | 10 DRILLFIELD NEWS , EW KRISTI DECOURCY RICHARD RANDOLPH, LOMAN, AMANDA NEWS DRILLFIELD 11 NEWS REEL T. REX HAS A 3-FOOT- LAURA DELAMONTE TALL RELATIVE NAMED DEAN A NEW RELATIVE OF THE TYRANNO- saurus rex—much smaller than the huge, ferocious dinosaur made famous VIRGINIA TECH VIDEOGRAPHERS HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK CAPTURING THE in countless books and films, including UNIVERSITY’S NEWS AND EVENTS. WATCH THESE VIDEOS AND MANY OTHERS AT “Jurassic Park”—has been discovered VIDEO.VT.EDU/. and named by a Virginia Tech paleon- tologist and an international team of FELINE OBESITY STUDY scientists. FOLLOWING A NATIONAL SEARCH, “Fat cats” and their owners participated in a The newly named tyrannosauroid Virginia Tech Executive Vice Pres- study conducted at the Virginia-Maryland Col- dinosaur—Suskityrannus hazelae—stood ident and Provost Cyril Clarke has lege of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech to roughly 3 feet tall at the hip and was appointed Laura Belmonte as dean discover how owners perceptions of their cats about 9 feet in length, the entire animal of the College of Liberal Arts and ’ ’ quality of life were influenced by adding food only marginally longer than the skull of Human Sciences. Belmonte will toys to the cats’ weight-loss regimen. a fully grown T. rex, according to Ster- begin at Virginia Tech on Aug. 1. ling Nesbitt, an assistant professor with “Laura’s strong record of scholarship, the Department of Geosciences in the leadership, and achievement made Virginia Tech College of Science. her the ideal candidate to lead our HOKIES GATHER FOR SPRING WEEKEND EVENTS In all, Suskityrannus hazelae is believed College of Liberal Arts and Human Thousands of Hokies flocked to campus on to have weighed between 45 and 90 Sciences,” Clarke said. April 13 for Spring Weekend events. The day TECH TIMES TWO: Mercedes Robinson, a student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School pounds, compared with a roughly began with the 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance, Belmonte currently serves as associ- of Medicine, is the first to earn an MBA through a new program that combines medicine 9-ton T. rex. Its diet likely consisted with more than 14,000 people walking and and business. ate dean for instruction and person- of the same as its larger meat-eating running. A family tailgate followed, along with nel at Oklahoma State University. counterpart. the Hokies spring football game. “I am honored to lead a college with THIRD-YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT EARNS MBA Nesbitt found the fossil at age 16 as a a remarkable legacy of outstanding THROUGH NEW PROGRAM high school student participating in a research and innovative teaching dig expedition in New Mexico in 1998. LAST YEAR, MERCEDES ROBINSON, A The combined program enabled her to addressing all facets of the human ACCELERATE FESTIVAL 2019 Nesbitt and Doug Wolfe, who led the Virginia Tech and the Smithsonian’s National third-year student at the Virginia Tech earn her degree in one year, including a experience,” Belmonte said. “I’m expedition, authored the paper, which Museum of American History held the ACCel- Carilion School of Medicine, set her few courses she took the summer prior thrilled to support Virginia Tech’s was published in Nature Ecology & erate: ACC Smithsonian Creativity and Inno- to starting the fall semester. Classes met visionary leadership and world-class white coat aside and picked up a brief- Evolution. vation Festival on April 5-7 in Washington, one weekend per month and rotated partners and people in advancing case to pursue an MBA through Virginia D.C., which showcased research in science, meeting locations between Blacksburg, knowledge, improving society, and Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. engineering, arts, and design. Roanoke, and Richmond. celebrating diversity.” Robinson took advantage of a program, Robinson said one person who had a Rosemary Blieszner, Alumni Distin- developed by both schools, to help future particular influence on her decision to do guished Professor of Human Devel- physicians attain skills needed to navigate the program was Cynda Johnson, found- opment, has served as dean of the BREAKING THROUGH ADVERSITY: ANDREW challenges in health care management. ing dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion college since 2017 and will be return- YOUNG’S INSTRUMENTAL INSPIRATION ing to the faculty in the fall. “Earning an MBA really opened up an School of Medicine, who has both M.D. Andrew Young, a junior at Virginia Tech, was entire new world for me,” Robinson and MBA degrees. DIG IT: Sterling Nesbitt, Belmonte holds a bachelor’s degree in born without a left arm from the elbow down. an assistant professor, He taught himself how to play guitar. Now he’s said. “I came away with more founda- history from the University of Geor- “Seeing how successful she’s been and the discovered a new relative in a band and performs solo. tional business skills and a better under- career path she has taken was definitely of the Tyrannosaurus rex. gia and a master of arts and Ph.D. standing of how organizations operate.” inspiring for me,” Robinson said. from the University of Virginia.

| | | | 12 DRILLFIELD NEWS EW ANDERSON, RYAN NEWS DRILLFIELD 13 ANDREA BRUNAIS D ifference Difference Maker GIVE BY JUNE 30. YOUR GIVINGHELPS a difference for students with your gift today. learning thatprepares Make them to excel. to make theirmark. Supportthehands-on → VT.EDU/GIVE → ourstudentsget ready 1-800-533-1144 GRADUATION CAPS ARE MORE THAN JUST HEADPIECES THAT COMPLETE THE TRADITIONAL REGALIA.

FOR MANY HOKIES, THE CAPS ARE WINDOWS THAT OFFER A GLIMPSE OF THE WEARER’S PERSONAL STYLE.

STUDENTS DECORATE MORTARBOARDS WITH MESSAGES THANKING MOM AND DAD, DECLARING FUTURE PLANS, SHOWCASING HOKIE PRIDE, OR FEATURING ANY NUMBER OF CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS. JB

HOW TECH TICKS CREATIVE CAPS CHRISTINA FRANUSICH, JACK MAYER - GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, EW, LOGAN WALLACE, DM, EW, JIM STROUP, DM, EW, SKYLER TAUBE DM, EW, JIM STROUP, DM, EW, WALLACE, LOGAN EW, OFFICE, - GOVERNOR'S MAYER CHRISTINA FRANUSICH, JACK

CAPPING IT OFF For photos and video from spring commencement 2019, go to vtmag.vt.edu.

16 | DRILLFIELD | HOW TECH TICKS HOW TECH TICKS | DRILLFIELD | 17 ATHLETICS QUESTION THE ADVANTAGE LINE

AFTER A CO-OP EXPERIENCE AT WALT see those rewards every day. Their office annual dues ranging from $50 to $2,500 Disney World her sophomore year, helps with guidance and logistics, but it’s (rugby dues are $100). Teams do get a sti- Amelia Griese ’19 realized she’d be in the 1,100 student-athletes who partici- pend from the university, but they also SAY WHAT? Blacksburg for five years to finish her pate on one of the 29 different teams at raise money for travel, meals, and lodging. major in mechanical engineering and Virginia Tech who make the decisions PREPARING TO PRONOUNCE THOUSANDS OF GRADUATES’ NAMES minors in classical studies and art his- and run the teams. Participants also find the training and conditioning time to be competitive. tory, so she looked for ways to get more “We know that people who are involved Rhoads points out that the women’s field actively involved on campus. in activities like sport clubs have a better hockey team won a national champion- sense of belonging at the university, and WHY IS PRONOUNCING A WHAT TIPS DO YOU TRY TO REMEM- She settled on sport clubs. And she they feel more supported,” Hughes said. ship in 2018, and 18 of 29 clubs went to GRADUATE’S NAME CORRECTLY BER WHEN YOU ARE ANNOUNCING picked one she had never played—rugby. “Only two on our team had played rugby “The grittiness required can translate to their respective national tournaments. SO IMPORTANT? NAMES? before college, so everybody comes in at other areas, like in the academic realm.” And athletes in lesser known sports, such MEROLA: “They’ve worked hard. For MEROLA: “You don’t want to get too as rugby, fencing, and cricket, get a kick the same level,” Griese said. Rhoads was president of her college’s international students, their families will monotonous. There’s a real problem out of just introducing more people to As a senior, Griese helped lead the cheerleading club team, which helped have come from all over the world. The because you’re doing name after name their passion. Joe Merola Cayce Myers Katie Wells team to a spot in the national club lead her to her current career. “It was worst thing that could happen to them is after name. You really do want to find COMMENCEMENT WOULDN’T HAPPEN a way to make that student special, and rugby championship game (they lost to ‘Oh, I can do this in a real-world setting!’ “What I was looking for in team sports is if you mess up their name, their moment each year without a certain contingent of so you try to pronounce it [the name] Brigham Young) while serving as one of It’s kind of awesome,” she said. accountability to other people and build- in the sun. Their time on stage is fleet- Virginia Tech faculty—the ones who read with confidence, properly, and maybe if four co-captains and the match secretary, ing relationships,” Griese said. “I can walk ingly small.” Unlike varsity student-athletes, many of the graduates’ names aloud. Each year, I can manage it, with a little twinkle in a position that required her to schedule whom get at least a partial scholarship, on campus and there’s at least 50 people as faculty readers prepare to pronounce HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO PROPERLY my voice.” matches and arrange all travel logistics. sport club participants pay to play, with I know really well.” RL thousands of names in front of com- PRONOUNCE SO MANY NAMES? WELLS: “You’ve just got to go with what “It falls on the four of us to make this mencement crowds, they pore over lists comes out. You can’t try to go back. Just team work, which can be a handful when MYERS: “I have the students call me on BONUS POINTS: Amelia Griese (right) was of graduates, scribbling meticulous pho- my office phone and leave a voicemail say it and say it with confidence. Say it we’re full-time students and we’re trying one of four captains for the rugby team. netic notes and praying that they won’t of their pronunciation if they think that once; say it loudly and with conviction.” to play the game,” Griese said. get sick or lose their voices. it will be mispronounced. I then will go WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR The skills she honed helped her land a Joe Merola, a chemistry professor, has been through the cards [with graduates’ names COMMENCEMENT ROLE? job after graduation as a production reading names for the Graduate School for on them], and if I think their name will MEROLA: “Over the years of being here, supervisor for Anheuser-Busch. at least 15 years. Cayce Myers, associate be mispronounced, I email them and opportunities that I’ve been given to “It’s easy to fix a machine, but people are professor of communication, reads names have them call me. I will go back and serve, I cherish, I really enjoy. In this more dynamic,” Griese said. “Rugby’s for the Department of Communication, listen to it [voicemail] five or six times. case, I just love doing it, and that term given me great experience dealing with while Katie Wells, director of advising for Also, on the day of graduation, I get their labor of love is really true. As long as I people. It also gave me a lot of real-world the Pamplin College of Business, splits the attention, and I say, “I am reading your don’t screw up, I know that I’m helping challenges learning to manage my time list of more than 1,000 Pamplin gradu- name, and if you haven’t called me or and contributing to the day, which is a and prioritize. It’s a lot of work, but it’s ates with two other advisors this spring. emailed me, let’s get it done now.” very big day for some people.” JB very rewarding.” Julie Rhoads, Virginia Tech assistant director for sport clubs, and Megan IMPORTANT PRONOUNCEMENT Hughes, associate director for adminis- Read the full story at vtmag.vt.edu. trative services in Recreational Sports,

| | | 18 DRILLFIELD QUESTION ABEDIN NOSHIN MEREDITH, OLIVER MICHAEL KIERNAN, WALLACE, LOGAN 19 WHAT'S IN IT? CORPS OF CADETS

VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY THAT’S GONE TO THE DOGS

CLICK THROUGH LAYERS OF TISSUE. Unreal Engine, a software used by video VR technology creates an immersive expe- game developers, powers the technology. rience, and related applications are enhanc- Zoom in on a kidney. ing education throughout the university. By wearing VR glasses, clicking a button, Walk inside a rib cage. and moving around, students can navi- Veterinary students have access to the First-year students at the Virginia-Mary- gate through layers of tissue, zoom in on anatomical VR technology through the land College of Veterinary Medicine at specific organs, and step into parts of a college’s library for use as they study. Virginia Tech are getting an up-close and virtual dog’s body. There also is a special- But the veterinary VR doesn’t stop with rare look at what is inside a dog’s body. ized section that allows for a deeper view dogs. Tucker is leading a group of stu- Virtual reality (VR) makes it possible. into the dog’s skull. dents and veterinary school faculty who Last fall, aspiring veterinarians who “I literally stood inside the rib cage,” said are creating a VR cow for instructional MUSEUM ON THE MOVE were enrolled in a physical exam and veterinary student Sara Farthing, after use. They hope to complete it by the clinical skills course taught by Michael she donned the VR glasses and followed summer’s end. Nappier, an assistant professor of com- the dog’s image floating virtually in front And look for a VR horse in the future. IF YOU SPOT A BRIGHT ORANGE TENT versity history through artifacts that date 2017. These buildings surround Lane munity practice, began using VR equip- of her. JB while strolling across Virginia Tech’s from as far back as 1872, when Addision Hall, the original barracks, which is now ment during their lab time to help them campus this summer, step inside. Caldwell enrolled as the first student. on the commonwealth and federal lists of visualize a mid-sized dog’s body parts. historic buildings. You may find pennants hanging along the Educational programming is the cor- The 3D moving picture of a dog stand- INSIDER INFORMATION: Victoria tent’s edge, an alumnus’s World War II nerstone of museum curation, and the Meanwhile, corps artifacts are on exhibit ing on all fours was the brainchild of Umana uses virtual reality technology, uniform, or candid photos from the days pop-up museum creates spontaneous on the fourth floor of Newman Library. Thomas Tucker, an associate professor which received funding through a when Lane Hall was still the cadet bar- opportunities for the curator and cadet Although space is limited in Newman, in Virginia Tech’s School of Visual Arts University Libraries Open Education Faculty Initiative Grant. racks. You might even see yourself star- historians to talk with visitors about the there are acres of campus on which to and a fellow with the Institute for Cre- ing back from one of the photos. corps’ history and its foundational ties to expand the museum—if only for a few ativity, Arts, and Technology. hours—through the pop-up museum. The Corps of Cadets’ Pop-Up Museum the university. Tucker and five graduate and undergrad- started two years ago as a way to evoke A permanent museum space will be Samantha Riggin is the Corps uate students, crafted the images using CT UNLEASHED memories and showcase a few of the housed within the Corps Leadership and of Cadets’ museum curator. scans. The project team also worked with Watch as veterinary students items from the Corps of Cadets Museum. Bonnie Smith, an associate professor of experience anatomy virtually. Military Science Building, the third build- View a video at vt.mag.vt.edu. The traveling mini-exhibition celebrates ing planned in the revitalization project POPPING UP anatomy in the college’s Department of alumni, veterans, and history. The goal is that brought two new residence halls to Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, to Look for the Pop-Up Museum to provide the community with an oppor- the Upper Quad. Pearson Hall opened during reunion weekends and identify the bones in a dog’s body and to tunity to learn about the corps and uni- in 2015, and New Cadet Hall opened in other large events on campus. position them correctly.

20 | DRILLFIELD | CORPS OF CADETS BARNHART SHAY RM WHAT'S IN IT? | DRILLFIELD | 21 A POWERFUL NEW GIFT OPTION MOMENT THE VIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION DONOR-ADVISED FUND

OTHER-FOCUSED Debbie ’78, Allison ’15, Ian ’15, and Dan Tillotson Minoka Gunesekera ’13 SAKET BIKMAL, A RISING SOPHOMORE increasing awareness of spectrum disor- THERE’S A LOT OF TALENT studying computational neuroscience, is ders like autism. His goal is to empha- OUT THERE IN KIDS living a life focused on others. size each individual’s unique abilities and skills, so that they are not overlooked in WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. Inspired by his younger brother, Himal THEY SHOULDN’T BE Bikmal, who was diagnosed with the broader context of the disability. DISCREDITED." low-functioning autism at an early age, “There’s a lot of talent out there in kids and the corresponding challenges his with special needs,” said Bikmal. “They Saket Bikmal, family faced trying to secure treatments student shouldn’t be discredited.” and needed accommodations, Bikmal has Bikmal was drawn to Virginia Tech’s developed a commitment to helping indi- specialized neuroscience program and viduals affected by the disability. the opportunities to explore relation- Although Himal Bikmal cannot do many ships between computers, the brain, DEBBIE TILLOTSON ’78 WAS LOOKING decide which causes to support. Over the The donor-advised fund also proved an things for himself, he can paint. His art and disease pathology. As a first-year for a way to support the Corps of Cadets course of this decade, their popularity has ideal way for Minoka Gunesekera ’13 to led Saket Bikmal and their father, Harish student, he was involved with Bio- and engage her son and daughter-in-law grown dramatically. Across the nation, structure a gift of real estate to support the Bikmal, to co-found Zenaviv, a business activity, a biomedical design team, as in the family tradition of giving back to they accounted for 4.4 percent of charita- Cranwell International Center. that helps artists with special needs sell ble giving by individuals in 2010. By 2017, well as the Neuroscience Club. While Virginia Tech. Gunesekera’s parents moved from Sri their work. According to the company’s that had grown to 10.2 percent, according he was still in high school, Bikmal She found it by becoming the first Hokie Lanka to Blacksburg in 1984 so her mother website, “The name Zenaviv is derived researched synthetic neurochemistry to the National Philanthropic Trust. from the Japanese word ‘zen,’ meaning to take advantage of the Virginia Tech could earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry. They with the National Institutes of Health and Foundation Donor-Advised Fund, a new Tillotson has used her fund to support were among those cheering when the enlightenment, and the Hebrew word tested drug effects on non-small cell lung ‘aviv,’ meaning spring, or colors of spring.” way to structure gifts to the university. several programs in the Corps of Cadets, Cranwell International Center opened in cancer with the Georgetown Lombardi including an Emerging Leader Scholar- 1986, and Gunesekera remembers finding “Working with the university’s Office of More than 66 percent of the profits from Comprehensive Cancer Center. ship and the Corps Leadership and Mili- a sense of community through that center Gift Planning was quick and easy, and my the art sales go directly to the artists, with In addition to continuing work with Zena- tary Science Building project. Her son Ian as a child. Now, the Bhadra and Chrys the rest going back into the company to donor-advised fund and stock transfer viv, Bikmal has set his sights on medi- ’15 and daughter-in-law Allison ’15, both Gunesekera Memorial Excellence Fund continue their mission. Zenaviv’s clients were handled efficiently,” Tillotson said. cal school and starting his own company. serving in the Air Force, used the fund to helps others feel equally at home. include businesses and homeowners. Donor-advised funds allow people to establish a Giving Day challenge to help Whatever the future may hold, Bikmal’s “I caught the ‘giving bug’ and hope to receive immediate tax benefits from a motivate other corps alumni and cadets Bikmal’s education at Virginia Tech is a desire to serve is fueling his direction. inspire others,” Gunesekera said. “The step toward his long-term goal to syn- making a gift and still take their time to to make gifts, too. “Even if I fail at one thing, I can always find process was easier than I expected, and thesize business and scientific research another way to help people,” he said. someone walked me through it. There to become a “neuropreneur”—a designer was this journey of thinking about what it of biomedical devices to help those with Grace Baggett was a student intern To learn more about the Virginia Tech Foundation means to leave a legacy and serve others.” special needs. Bikmal is passionate about with Virginia Tech Magazine. Donor-Advised Fund, visit give.vt.edu/daf, email [email protected], or call 540-231-2813.

22 | DRILLFIELD | MOMENT OC CF FAMILY, THE TILLOTSON OF COURTESY DONOR ADVICE | DRILLFIELD | 23 N THE EASTERN EDGE OF VIRGINIA TECH’S BLACKSBURG

CAMPUS, WHERE THE UNIVERSITY INTERSECTS WITH

DOWNTOWN, THE VIEW OF THE FUTURE IS CLEAR.

HERE, THE UNIVERSITY IS MAPPING OUT A PLAYGROUND OFOR THE INNOVATORS, INVENTORS, AND MAKERS WHO WILL BUILD THE WORLD OF TOMORROW. FINDING SOLUTIONS

FOR COMPLEX PROBLEMS THAT RANGE FROM WATER

CONSERVATION AND FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS TO ENERGY

DEMANDS AND TRANSPORTATION CONGESTION WILL REQUIRE

EXPERTISE FROM MANY SOURCES. FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNITY,

THERE IS NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL STRATEGY. BY CREATING

SPACES THAT BRING TOGETHER POETS AND SCIENTISTS,

ENGINEERS AND ARTISTS, AND CHEMISTS AND HISTORIANS,

VIRGINIA TECH IS LEVELING THE FIELD, ADVANCING CROSS-

CULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND EMPHASIZING

THE COMBINED STRENGTHS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,

BUSINESS, AND THE HUMANITIES. BY MASON ADAMS

THE $250 MILLION CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT

CAPITALIZES ON EXISTING PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES WHILE

CREATING NEW SPACES AND MAKING LARGE-SCALE CHANGES

TO OTHERS. THE GOAL: TO GALVANIZE INNOVATION, FROM

CONCEPTION TO COMMERCIALIZATION. A DESTINATION FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION FOR CREATIVITY A DESTINATION IMAGINE THAT IMAGINE

LOGAN WALLACE, AMANDA LOMAN, OC, KYRIAKOS TSOUKALAS, LOGAN WALLACE, "BODY FULL OF TIME" - ZACH DUER, SCOTTY HARDWIG DUER, SCOTTY TIME" - ZACH FULL OF "BODY WALLACE, TSOUKALAS, LOGAN OC, KYRIAKOS LOMAN, AMANDA WALLACE, LOGAN IMAGINE THAT | FEATURE | 25 THANASSIS "WE CREATED ASPIRATIONAL PLANS Virginia Tech’s landmark district will be anchored by the Moss RIKAKIS, Arts Center; the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technol- WHERE THE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION PROFESSOR OF ogy (ICAT), which includes the Center for Human-Computer Interaction and the Center for Research on SEAD Education; BIOENGINEERING DISTRICT WOULD BECOME A KEY FEEDER the School of Performing Arts, including Theatre 101; and the AND PERFORMING OF INNOVATION TALENT FOR THE School of Visual Arts, including the Armory Gallery. ARTS METROPOLITAN D.C. AREA, AND THE Squires Student Center, Newman Library, the Graduate Life geographic extension of President Tim Sands’ Beyond Bound- Center at Donaldson Brown, and the Media Building will round PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCES THAT aries vision—specifically the concept of students and faculty out the district. Several will retain their traditional functions from a variety of backgrounds living and working together in a WOULD DEVELOP IN METROPOLITAN while offering enhanced spaces to foster creativity and innova- shared community. The idea was to combine areas of strength tion. The Media Building, however, will undergo a comprehen- for Virginia Tech so that individuals working across disciplines D.C. WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY SUPPORT sive renovation to support the initiative. can come together and create. Additionally, Rikakis wanted the THE DISTRICT IN BLACKSBURG." “What we’re developing with the physical district and technolo- district in Blacksburg to engage with Virginia Tech’s outposts gies is all about student learning and giving students the oppor- in Roanoke and Northern Virginia. tunity to develop in creative ways,” said Ruth Waalkes, associate “We created aspirational plans where the Creativity and Innova- provost for the arts and executive director of the Moss Arts tion District would become a key feeder of innovation talent for Center. “It’s really about being able to engage with people across the metropolitan D.C. area, and the partnerships and resources “Studio 72 is open to all majors, so we have a wide range of stu- difference. That can mean art students working with engineers that would develop in metropolian D.C. would significantly dents studying different subjects,” Cruz said. “Seeing how art, or computer scientists or collaborating across different lan- support the district in Blacksburg,” Rikakis said. science, engineering, or any other major differs with respect for guages or cultural practices.” creative process has introduced me to new ways of thinking and With a proven track record for projects that transcend traditional According to Cal Ribbens, head of the Department of Com- new points of view.” boundaries, ICAT stands as an example of how connections pro- puter Science, “identifying a particular region of campus and vide value for university researchers, students, and private part- Ella Davis, a rising junior majoring in geoscience, chose Studio intentionally creating space for this kind of learning will create ners. The institute fosters creativity and critical reflection in a living 72 as a way to keep in touch with her artistic interests even as more opportunities and a bigger impact that will affect entre- illustration of Sands’ Beyond Boundaries vision. she pursued a science degree. Davis said the blend of students preneurship, partnerships with the private sector, and recruit- pushes her to communicate more effectively about her scien- ment of talented students, staff, and faculty. Attracting scholars from around the globe who work side- tific work and has helped her better understand how concepts by-side in campus facilities such as the Cube at the Moss Arts “[The district] engages students in tackling broad problems transcend disciplines. Center, ICAT extends the reach of the district to the world. that span disciplines. It’s important for students to get exposure In April, ICAT partnered with the Smithsonian Lemmelson “I think my favorite thing I’ve discussed with other people so far working with people who think differently, who communicate Center for Invention and Innovation to present the ACCel- is how we all use very similar vocabularies, but we all have sit- differently, because they’re going to be part of diverse teams uational definitions,” Davis said. “How I talk about the geome- throughout their working lives,” Ribbens said. erate: ACC Smithsonian Creativity and Innovation Festival at the National Museum of American History in Washington, try of rock beds and faults uses the same words an architecture Although the Creativity and Innovation District exists in a D.C. The festival showcased creative projects emerging from major might when talking about the geometry of their designs, defined location on campus, the environment supports tech- the nine public and six private schools that make up the Atlan- but we mean two completely different things.” nology and other features that reach far beyond Blacksburg. tic Coast Conference. The new residence hall will boast 30,000 square feet of public “Bridge spaces” will allow companies, students, faculty, and Additionally, the Creativity and Innovation District will expand space devoted to artistic, performance, and research-based other scholars to work in close proximity to create, incubate, creative influences from the eastern side of campus. A 596-bed experiences to support engagement and meaningful connec- and bridge ideas into viable businesses. The collaborations will residence hall is among the buildings planned for the area. The tions within the district, Blacksburg, and the world. connect to existing initiatives in Blacksburg, Roanoke, and new construction, which is expected to be finished by summer Plans for the facility include apartments for residential faculty. The Northern Virginia. 2021, will house two living-learning communities: Studio 72, special living arrangement, which exists in other environments “It’s not a district that says, ‘We’re going to do this particular for students interested in the arts and design, and Innovate, for across campus, will allow instructors to be fully immersed and to project,’” said Knapp. “Instead, we’re saying, ‘If you’re interested those who want to pursue entrepreneurship. Student-athletes engage with students in ways that will enrich the community. in the creative process, from imagination to innovation, this is will also live in the residence hall. While the eastern side of campus is abuzz with construction and where you come to work with a like-minded community, no Nicky Cruz, a rising junior pursuing degrees in fashion mer- planning activities associated with the developing district, Virginia matter what your disciplinary origins.’” chandising and design and multimedia journalism with a minor Tech leaders, faculty, and researchers are already recognizing the The district was conceived by Thanassis Rikakis, professor of in popular culture, lived in Studio 72, which is currently located value of these creative collisions. The resulting projects and their bioengineering and performing arts and former provost, as a in Pritchard Hall, during the 2018-19 academic year. outcomes will define and describe success for the district.

26 | FEATURE | IMAGINE THAT JIM STROUP WALLACE, LOGAN WALLACE LOGAN IMAGINE THAT | FEATURE | 27 SHAKESPEARE’S GARDEN This theatre installation, created by a team of faculty from the School of Performing Arts, the School of Visual Arts, and ICAT, used the spatial audio capabilities of the Cube to create a specialized immersive sound and visual experience. Partici- pants meander along a path through the virtual space, listening WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GREAT IDEAS MEET GREAT MINDS? to Shakespearean texts performed by Virginia Tech students.

HONEYBEE DANCES Two assistant professors and their teams decoded the language of honeybees in a way that allows scientists around the world to interpret the insects’ highly sophisticated and complex com- munications. The researchers discovered a universal calibration that translates honeybee communications across sub-species and landscapes. By deciphering the messages encoded in the insects’ movements, called waggle dances, the teams hope to better understand the insects’ preferred forages and the loca- tions of these food sources.

BELLEIIVR An ICAT grant funded the creation of BelleIIVR, which allows the study of subatomic particle physics using virtual reality. The team used the Cube to create a virtual supercollider that allowed an untethered, locomotive virtual-reality exploration of parti- THE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT BRINGS cle physics. Now, the team has created a computer version and RESEARCH TOGETHER SCIENTISTS AND ARTISTS COMMITTED TO is working on one for mobile devices.

EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE. THESE RESEARCHERS MAY

EMPLOY NEW METHODS OR INTERPRET RESULTS PROSTHETIC SENSORS A Virginia Tech professor and a team of undergraduate student THROUGH SEEMINGLY DISPARATE LENSES. researchers have made inroads in integrating electronic sensors with personalized 3D-printed prosthetics, which could one day lead to more affordable electric-powered prosthetics. RUTH WAALKES, “ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO TAKE ASSOCIATE CLASSIC WORK LIKE SHAKESPEARE OUTSIDE THE BOX PROVOST FOR THE AND THRUST IT INTO THE FUTURE HERE Learn more about the projects, events, and classes in the ARTS AND EXEC- Creativity and Innovation District at vtmag.vt.edu. UTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE CUBE IS REALLY DYNAMIC. OF THE MOSS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT’S GOING TO ARTS CENTER HAPPEN ONLY HERE AT VIRGINIA TECH."

28 | FEATURE | WALLACE LOGAN EW, EW LEO PIILONEN, IMAGINE THAT | FEATURE | 29 PROJECTS BEN KNAPP, “IT’S NOT A DISTRICT THAT SAYS, FOUNDING EXECU- ‘WE’RE GOING TO DO THIS PARTICULAR TIVE DIRECTOR OF ACCELERATE: ACC THE INSTITUTE PROJECT.’ INSTEAD, WE’RE SAYING: ‘IF SMITHSONIAN CREATIVITY FOR CREATIVITY, YOU’RE INTERESTED IN THE CREATIVE ARTS, AND THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS, CAMPS, AND PERFOR- PROCESS, FROM IMAGINATION TO AND INNOVATION FESTIVAL TECHNOLOGY MANCES, THE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DIS- ACCelerate, a partnership between Virginia Tech and the Smith- INNOVATION, THIS IS WHERE YOU TRICT REACHES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES FROM ALL sonian’s National Museum of American History that was first COME TO WORK WITH A LIKE-MINDED launched in 2017, celebrates creative exploration and research at WALKS OF LIFE. THESE EXPERIENCES CONNECT EDU- the nexus of science, engineering, arts, and design. At the 2019 COMMUNITY, NO MATTER WHAT WILL OUTREACHCATORS INSPIRE AND SCIENTISTS THE NEXT WITH SCIENTIFIC STUDENTS, BUSINESS BREAKTHROUGH? festival, which featured research projects from universities across the Atlantic Coast Conference, nearly 62,000 visitors interacted YOUR DISCIPLINARY ORIGINS.’” LEADERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. with innovators and experienced new technologies.

VIRGINIA TECH SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS Since 2014, the Virginia Tech Science Festival has offered dozens of free hands-on, minds-on learning interactive booths and activities to showcase physics, space, engineering, commu- nication, geology, health and medicine, history, transportation, computers, chemistry, and more. Nearly 5,000 visitors of all ages attend the festival each year. The university funds trans- portation to enable school children from underserved areas to attend the festival.

ICAT CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DAY ICAT Creativity and Innovation Day demonstrates Virginia Tech’s latest innovations combining science, engineering, arts, and design through dozens of experiences, performances, demonstrations, expo-style exhibits, and a panel discussion.

CUBE FEST Cube Fest features spatial music, immersive aural experiences, and 3D audio technology. The annual festival brings together international audio technology experts, computer engineers, music technology experts, musicians, and composers who pres- ent lectures, conduct workshops, and perform original compo- sitions specifically created for high-density loudspeaker arrays.

30 | FEATURE | IMAGINE THAT RM, EW - SAM BLANCHARD, "SEE MORE" EW, JIM STROUP, IMAGINE THAT | FEATURE | 31 SERVICE/USER EXPERIENCE CLASS A demonstration of Virginia Tech’s Beyond Boundaries ini- tiative, this class brings together students in industrial design, computer science, and business, and is co-taught by faculty from each discipline. Teams of students create projects to solve prob- lems related to disability and aging. The class emphasizes Vir- HOW DO CREATIVE COLLISIONS AFFECT LEARNING? ginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

USING HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING TO BOOST STUDENT CREATIVITY A partnership between the Division of Information Technol- ogy, the School of Visual Arts, and ICAT, this advanced ren- dering class blends architecture, industrial design, and interior design. Students boost their technology skills, learning advanced techniques to create complex animations.

CLASSES DIGITAL STUDIOS Students use the Digital Arts and Animation Studio, located in the library, to access high-end tools used in the production of digital film, web design, and animation. In the Digital Inter- IN THE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT, VIR- active Sound and Intermedia Studio, researchers and students GINIA TECH IS PROMOTING STUDENT COURSEWORK merge contemporary technology with traditional performance to pursue new forms of artistic expression and multimedia art. AND DEVELOPING SPACES THAT BLEND ACADEMICS,

SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, AND RESEARCH STUDIES TO THE SANDBOX SUPPORT THE SORT OF BOLD THINKING THAT WILL The Sandbox is an idea incubator. Teams meet to brainstorm, THE CUBE discuss visions, and roll up their sleeves to start projects. The LEAD TO REAL SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES. The Cube is a highly adaptable space for multidisciplinary, col- flexible meeting space encourages collaborative creativity with laborative research and experimentation. Both a state-of-the-art moveable furniture, dry-erase boards, and a projection array. theatre and a high-tech laboratory, the four-story Cube offers visualization, motion tracking, and immersive 3D audio. Users can experience total immersion in virtual realities. Research- MEDIA BUILDING ers have developed immersive environments in the Cube that The former school building is being transformed through a pro- allow them to interact with anything in the world in real time, cess in which architecture students and faculty members are from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest building. The embarking on their own “living lab adventure.” The students Cube is home to one of the largest multichannel audio systems and faculty are creating spaces to meet their own needs. in the world, with 150 independently operating loudspeakers.

32 | FEATURE | EW JIM STROUP, EW, LOMAN AMANDA WALLACE, LOGAN IMAGINE THAT | FEATURE | 33 AND SPACES World War I marked a great juncture in history, ending the Gilded Age and making way for the modern era. The conflict forever altered the nature of warfare, with industrialization producing changes of scale in weapons, tactics, and casualties. The Great War left an enduring mark on Virginia Tech, too. The early university emphasized military edu- cation, so many students and graduates served on fields of battle. On the Blacksburg campus, three iconic landmarks memorialize their wartime sac- rifices: The Rock, which stands on the Upper Quad; War Memorial Gym, which was dedicated to Hokies who served; and the Brotherhood Pylon, which bears the names of those who died in the line of duty. World War I transformed Virginia Tech in more subtle but influential ways as well, prompting decisions that changed the school’s direction and established a solid foundation for the future. As Virginia Tech evolves, a simple prevailing ideal connects the global-facing university of today to its pre-war iteration as a military-focused institution— the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL BY MASON ADAMS EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR I

VIRGINIA TECH CORPS TECH CORPS VIRGINIA OF CADETS MUSEUM, EW CADETS OF Captain Lloyd W. Williams DON'T BOTHER WITH ME. THE ROCK THE 11 NAMES TAKE CARE OF MY GOOD MEN." On July 2, 1919, Virginia Tech President Joseph Eggleston ON THE ROCK: -Capt. Lloyd W. Williams, 1907 delivered his final commencement address. That same day, the Class of 1919 unveiled a stone memorial dedicated to “Our CAPT. LLOYD W. WILLIAMS (CLASS OF 1907) Dead Heroes Over There.” Known as The Rock, the memo- Later, Williams led an assault at Belleau Wood. Although the rial includes the names of 11 alumni who were killed in action LT. HOWARD THORNTON BARGER (CLASS OF 1916) mission routed the Germans, the lead Marine unit was devas- and stands in honor of all graduates who lost their lives during tated; only one of the 10 officers and 16 of the 250 enlisted men World War I. According to the corps guidebook, “while not LT. ROBERT LEWIS BUTLER (CLASS OF 1915) survived. Again, Williams ignored advice to retreat. During the dedicated so, [The Rock] is also a symbol to all former VTCC LT. J. FRANK CLEMMER (CLASS OF 1920) skirmish, he was gassed and injured by shrapnel, but refused graduates who have died in conflict.” treatment. “Don’t bother with me,” Williams was heard telling LT. JEROME M. CUDLIPP (CLASS OF 1912) medics. “Take care of my good men.” Williams died when a shell From that day forward, as cadets pass The Rock, they salute if exploded as he was being evacuated from the battlefield. He was in uniform or place their hands over their hearts if in civilian LT. JAMES WAYNE FRANCE (CLASS OF 1915) ALUMNI WHO FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR I posthumously promoted to major and received three Silver Star clothes. citations and a Purple Heart. That tradition was established by an editorial in the June 12, LT. ALFRED RORER HARVEY (CLASS OF 1915) Many Virginia Tech alumni saw combat during the final two 1919, edition of The Virginia Tech student newspaper: “This World War I veterans with a connection to Virginia Tech totaled years of World War I. Twenty-six Hokies died in service, and thought, though simple, has a meaning which should always LT. ARTHUR BLACKIE MOORE (CLASS OF 1917) 2,297 in uniform: 2,155 in the Army, 125 in the Navy, 19 in the another 26 were wounded. stand before our eyes, and it 'tis this: The memorial (not a mon- Marine Corps, six in the Coast Guard, one in the British Army, ument) will be unveiled during Finals, and from that day hence LT. SYLVESTER BAKER MOORE (CLASS OF 1916) and one in the French Foreign Legion. One alumnus was awarded “It is important to understand that more than one-half of Amer- let every student of V. P. I. salute or uncover to the memory of the Medal of Honor, seven the Distinguished Service Cross, and ican deaths in World War I were caused by disease, not by front LT. SETH WHALEY MURRY (CLASS OF 1916) eleven brave warriors, and respect the small space it covers with one the Navy Cross. At least eight were awarded the Silver Star. line combat, and almost all of these deaths by disease came in the the respect due the King of England, always being proud of V. final three months of the war during the Spanish influenza epi- PVT. J. CAMPBELL BERKELEY (CLASS OF 1912) The Hokies influenced the conflict through their courageous demic,” said Tom Ewing, a history professor and associate dean P. I., her records, and her son.” actions and leadership. Probably the most well-known is Capt. of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. “These pro- “The Rock’s creation introduced a distinction between combat Lloyd W. Williams, Class of 1907, who commanded the 51st portions are slightly different for Virginia Polytechnic Institute deaths in France and deaths in other places from causes such as Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment. In 1918, (VPI) men. Approximately one-fifth of the names on the Pylon for disease, training accidents, and deaths at sea,” said Ewing. Williams’ division was deployed to support the French army at World War I were men whose deaths were attributed to disease, “At least two names seem to be missing from the Rock,” said the Battle of Belleau Wood. The unit arrived to find the allies including several men who died in Virginia before they ever left retreating. A French colonel advised Williams to follow suit, but for service. Eleven of these men were killed in action or died from Daniel Newcomb ’13, M.S. ’17, an alumnus and advisor who legend has it that the captain memorably responded, “Retreat, wounds on the front lines. The remaining deaths were due to acci- oversees “VPI in World War I,” a research project connected hell! We just got here!” (The first two words of that quote live dents or from an unknown cause. At the time, all of these deaths to Virginia Tech’s experiences in the war. “Lt. Harry Clay Wil- on as the motto of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and were classified as war-related deaths. As we think about the mean- liams and Priv. Maury Lake both died and are buried in France. Alpha Company within the Corps of Cadets, of which Williams ing of military service, it is important to continue to think holisti- It’s possible they weren't listed because they hadn’t graduated was an alumnus.) cally about the costs of war.” or because their deaths were yet unknown at the time of The Rock’s dedication. Although the men experienced untold hardships and bore wit- ness to war’s grim realities, for some, resilience was manifested “If one includes those who died in training, the total number of RETREAT, HELL! by retaining a positive perspective and even a sense of humor. In Hokies who died from causes related to World War I is at least a survey after the war, Leonard Gaines, Class of 1917, who served 26,” Newcomb said. “However, a definitive number may never WE JUST GOT HERE!" as first lieutenant in the Army, noted his impressions of the fight- be known, due to the deaths of students who left Virginia Tech -Capt. Lloyd W. Williams, 1907 ing: “It was good fun until you were hit.” in the midst of their undergraduate studies to serve in the war.”

› HONOR AND DUTY: A cadet salutes as he passes The Rock.

36 | FEATURE | THE TRANSFORMATIONAL EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR I ARCHIVES THE MARINEAND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS CORPS (COLL/77) WILLIAMS COLLECTION AT W. THE LLOYD COURTESY DM | 37 RESEARCHERS RECREATE

Battery F. 60th Regiment Coast Artillery, Fortress Monroe, Virginia, March 1918. A FRENCH BATTLEGROUND

In early spring, the fourth floor of Newman Library HOW WORLD WAR I CHANGED TECH STUDENT RESEARCH ON LETTERS OF hosted one of the bloodiest battlegrounds of World War I: the French village of Vauquois. Pocked with VIRGINIA TECH ALUMNI IN WORLD WAR I underground tunnels, Vauquois was pummeled by The war and the years that followed set in motion cascading artillery fire from 1914 to 1918. effects that transformed the institution into a comprehensive Newcomb collaborated with Ewing to design a project to research Joseph Ware Sr. modern land-grant university. Funded by a grant from the Institute for Creativity, the life stories of Virginia Tech alumni and students who served Arts, and Technology, Virginia Tech researchers vis- At the beginning of World War I, Virginia Tech students, all of in the war. The resulting database incorporates information from ited Vauquois in 2016. Using laser scanning and pho- whom were white males, were required to spend all four years of official records and historical letters, along with personal accounts togrammetry, the team re-created the underground their education in the Corps of Cadets. When the U.S. entered from the family members and descendants of those who fought. Students in the first-year experience class traced Ware’s journey passages in a virtual reality environment, then con- the war in 1917, Tech and military institutions across the coun- to Europe through his letters to his future wife, learning about structed a mock shaft complete with era artifacts. try became primary sources of officers. “Studying the experiences of VPI men in the war raised important techniques for preserving history by performing them. questions about why Americans go to war, how and why the U.S. “All of this is rolled together to create an immersive “The American army at the start of war was only 100,000 sol- government becomes involved in international conflicts, and how “They didn’t learn top down about World War I as a military environment that allows people to learn what it was diers,” said Newcomb. “By the end of the war, it was 4 million. these experiences are remembered,” Ewing said. “Studying VPI in endeavor,” Becker said. “What they learned was absolutely from like to be there at Vauquois before and during the If you went and signed up and had a college education, chances World War I has shaped my thinking about the ways that veterans the bottom: What’s going on with this individual and his col- war,” said Todd Ogle, University Libraries executive were you were going to become an officer.” today are regarded, how we remember wars that we have fought leagues and his friends and who he is serving with? We came director of applied research in immersive environ- By the end of the war, Virginia Tech had become home to a recently and are still fighting, and what kinds of questions must be from the bottom up.” ments and simulations, who worked with colleagues sprawling unit of the Student Army Training Corps (SATC), a asked about potential involvement in military conflicts.” Liv Wisnewski, a rising junior majoring in history and theater, from the VT Visualizing History Team to develop the virtual experience. national project intended to create soldiers by simultaneously First-year history students in 2016 and 2017 aided the effort. By read two of Ware’s letters in which “he talked to his wife about providing military training and a college education. Somewhere participating in the data collection, the students learned firsthand their kids, their finances, how he hoped to come home soon, and “It’s really an activity that typifies the sort of research between 400 and 600 soldiers—about half of the total number of about techniques for documenting history. The 2017 class drilled what he did and didn’t like about being overseas.” and development that can happen in [Virginia Tech’s] students at the time—were in an SATC camp at Virginia Tech down into the letters of Joseph Ware Sr., Class of 1903. Ware Wisnewski continued her study of Ware with an independent Creativity and Innovation District and brings together when the war ended. None of them would see combat. faculty and students from a number of disciplines,” was a professor and commandant of the Corps of Cadets from project. She examined Ware’s life after the war, including the dis- Ogle said. “You had people from computer science, The years following World War I ushered in a time of transition 1911 to 1914, as well as the father of the flight test engineer for integration of his first marriage, his extended time in Europe, and education, libraries, visual arts, and performing arts all for the university. Eggleston resigned from his post as Tech’s sev- whom the Joseph F. Ware Jr. Advanced Engineering Laboratory his eventual return to the U.S. enth president in 1919 to become president of Hampden-Syd- is named. The students each transcribed a letter written by Ware working together to create this virtual experience.” ney College. that had been stored in an archive in Special Collections. They “To read the letters of someone who lived such a different collaborated on tricky or challenging excerpts. The transcriptions life from me—what brought him joy, what brought him pain, Julian Ashby Burruss, Class of 1898, was named the university’s are now available in Special Collections. what made him feel worthless, which he wrote several times— eighth president. Under Burruss, the corps requirement fell from was interesting,” Wisnewski said. “It reinforced what I already four years to two. In a related move, Virginia Tech de-empha- “We wanted students to recognize that they have a responsibility enjoyed about history: The idea that people have always been sized military education to advance the land grant-related fields to preserve history as much as the [upperclassmen],” said Trudy people and have always had concerns and small happinesses, and of agriculture and engineering, which subsequently defined the Harrington Becker, senior instructor in the Department of History. other things they experience differently than anyone else.” university for much of the 20th century. The class and project developed Wisnewski’s skills as a historian Nearly a century later, the shifts that World War I spurred mark a and deepened her appreciation for Virginia Tech. bright line in the university’s history, highlighting a juncture that made possible developments that would play out over decades: “Now when I walk past [The Rock], I have a sense of respect the university’s outreach to returning World War II veterans in and a new sense of pride for it,” Wisnewski said. The inscrip- the late 1940s, the acceptance of women and African Americans tions now represent more than just a list of names. “These people in the ’50s and ’60s, elimination of the corps requirement alto- existed and went to school here and weren’t just figures in history gether, and development of the Principles of Community, which who went off to war.”

have opened the door for a student body that is more diverse in ‹ SINCERELY YOURS: Liv Wisnewski, a rising junior, studied the wartime letters of Joseph Ware Sr., a multitude of ways. Class of 1903. › TECH TIME TRAVEL: Using virtual reality technology, students can travel through time to experience the World War I tunnels at Vauquois, a French village.

38 | FEATURE | THE TRANSFORMATIONAL EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR I MUSEUM, EW CADETS OF TECH CORPS VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, TECH, EW VIRGINIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, COLLECTION WARE F. JOSEPH OF COURTESY PHOTO | 39 MOLLY HUNT TILTS A DRIP TORCH. INSIDE THE CANISTER, A LIQUID MIXTURE OF GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL SHIFTS FORWARD AND SIPHONS DOWN, MAKING A FULL CIRCLE AROUND THE FUEL TRAP LOOP BEFORE REACHING THE LIT WICK. HUNT, A FORESTRY MAJOR IN THE COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT, BEGINS TO POUR FIRE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIDGE, FORESTRY MAJOR EMILY NEWCOMBE LIGHTS A PARALLEL LINE. THE RADIO ON NEWCOMBE’S SHOULDER CHIRPS AS VOICES DIRECT HER MOVEMENTS. AT THE PERIMETER OF THE BURN, STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY STAND GUARD, READY TO PREVENT ANY WAYWARD SPARKS FROM CROSSING THE FIRE LINE. BURNINGISSUES BY DAVID FLEMING THE FIRE STARTS SMALL. AS THE FLAMES GROW, THEY BURN BRANCHES AND SINGE THE LOWER BARK OF TREES. EVENTUALLY, FLAMES CLIMB 10, THEN 20 FEET HIGH. .

THIS IS A WORK DAY FOR STUDENTS IN VIRGINIA TECH’S WILDLAND FIRE: ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT COURSE. TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT: A PRESCRIBED BURN. ADAM COATES ADAM

BURNING ISSUES | FEATURE | 41 what we think it did a long time ago,” Coates said. “To some degree, we have novel forests now. We took fire away, and in I GREW UP IN THE WOODS. I HAVE A doing that we’ve changed the dynamics of our forests. So trying HUGE PASSION FOR CONSERVING THE to put it back is a complicated and challenging process. But it’s LAND AND PROTECTING THE WOODS, also pretty interesting.” AND I CAME TO VIRGINIA TECH TO For Molly Hunt, working in forestry has always been an ambition. LEARN HOW TO DO THAT." “I grew up in the woods,” said Hunt, a May 2019 graduate. “I Molly Hunt ’19 have a huge passion for conserving the land and protecting the woods, and I came to Virginia Tech to learn how to do that.” The wildland fire course inspired Hunt to join the New River Valley Wildland Fire Crew. Monthly training activities spon- sored by the group helped her work toward an Incident Qualifica- tion Card, a requirement for fire crews working on federal lands.

PREPARING TO LIGHT Prescribed fires are not appropriate for every portion of our current landscapes. Some areas have gone extended periods without fire, and other management activities might be needed before prescribed fire can be considered as an option. Careful FIRED UP: Senior forestry major Emily consideration and planning are necessary for prescribed fire, Newcombe uses a drip torch to ignite long before anyone can ignite fuel on the landscape. brush along the established fire line. On the day of the burn, the first stage of prescribed fire imple- mentation on the ground typically involves shovels and rakes, A HISTORY OF FIRE when forest fires from lightning strikes would be unlikely to occur. but—if one is lucky and terrain permits it—preparations might So we’re in an area that was once dominated by repeated and fre- include a bulldozer. Fire has always played a role in the forest ecology of southwest- quent fires, both naturally occurring and man-made.” ern Virginia. “Once we determine the general area we want to burn, we con- The rise of development, and particularly the movement toward struct a boundary around it,” Coates said. “The key is to remove EVER GREEN: Many pine species “If you look back on the history of our forests, fire has been a urban living over the past century, has led to efforts designed any potential fuel from the line so the fire can’t cross.” benefit from prescribed fire. These natural part of a forest’s life,” said Adam Coates, assistant pro- to prevent naturally occurring fires in order to protect people trees will grow new shoots from fessor of forest fire ecology and management in the Depart- and property. For the 11-acre burn conducted on Virginia Tech’s Fishburn buds activated by the heat. ment of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Forest to enhance wildlife habitat, the crew used heavy machin- “As a result, we have forests in Virginia that have large accumu- “Wildfires may have ignited when a lightning strike occurred ery to dig a portion of the fire break, a perimeter around the burn The students also study the movement of the smoke and mon- lations of fuel in places where a long time ago fire would have during drier conditions. The fire would move and meander area where the ground is cleared to bare soil. Students completed itor the perimeter to confirm no sparks have crossed the divide burned off that excess,” Coates said. “Controlled burns allow us until precipitation extinguished it, a stream or water body cre- the circle using metal rakes and leaf blowers. Personal protective into the wider forest. They check tree stumps and pour cold ash to return the forests to a balance that once occurred naturally, ated a boundary to contain it, or it ran into fuels that would not equipment includes fire-resistant clothing, work gloves, fire-re- and dirt over the heat to fully exhaust the fire. while making sure that wildfire can’t reach where people live.” ignite. We also know that Native Americans used fire to clear sistant boots with 8-inch tops and Vibram-soles, and hard hats. In one corner, a stand of pitch pines has survived. The trees will land for agriculture or to maintain wildlife habitat. The forests of Appalachia, less studied than drier landscapes where The fire burns with surprising speed, the dormant fuel of the grow new shoots from epicormic buds activated by the heat. wildfire is a more prevalent occurrence, present compelling new “Many older trees have been harvested to expose their annual forest quickly exhausted. When it is out, the students march New branches will grow at angles, developing layers of bark areas of research related to fire use and prevention. growth rings,” he continued. “Often, you can see in the rings when onto the blackened landscape, using steel rakes to check the that protect inner layers from future fires. In spring, the trees fire events happened, and you can tell that some of the fire events “We’ve gone so long without fire being prevalent on the land- ash layer for dormant hotspots and taking measurements of the will drop their cones onto the ash and rich soil, and seeds will

were occurring when the trees were dormant during cold months, scape that it’s really hard to put fire back and expect it to do HELEN THOMPSON CHRIS DUKES depth of the burn in the layers of soil. emerge from these cones.

42 | FEATURE | BURNING ISSUES BURNING ISSUES | FEATURE | 43 FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE FOREST in the field,” Coates explained, “but we don’t have a central- ized burning chamber or table experiment space to take smaller amounts of material and run research. It’d be great to be able to Across the U.S., few universities employ professors dedicated to manipulate variables in a controlled setting, to create certain teaching and researching fire ecology. Coates’ position reflects types of fires with specific vegetation under specific environ- Virginia Tech’s commitment to studying the role that fire plays ments and measure how they burn. We’ve talked about devel- as a tool for foresters and as a naturally occurring event that oping a facility where we could do that type of research with a demands preparedness. The availability of a fire expert on campus high level of accuracy. That’s the next step.” also broadens research opportunities. David Fleming is a staff writer for the College of Natural Resources “We have some really terrific, highly specialized faculty here,” and Environment. Coates said, “and having a designated ‘fire guy’ like me, someone who can put fire on the ground and study the energy being pro- duced by it, really creates unique opportunities for collaboration. We can better understand how fire might affect soil or water, for example. This helps us fit both prescribed fires and unplanned THE WILDFIRE CHASER wildfires into the broader context of forest management.”

According to Coates, climate change has increased the urgency Emily Newcombe for studying forest fires. He cites the spate of wildfires in North Carolina, Georgia, and eastern Tennessee in late 2016 as a precursor to what Appalachia could face in coming years. “Only three ingredients are needed to create flames: heat, BURN NOTICE: A pre-burn briefing, oxygen, and fuel. If you consider weather patterns and how where tasks are assigned to crew they affect fire, you have to think about periods of wetting members and safety measures are reviewed, is a critical part of any and drying and how they affect vegetation. In the context of prescribed burn. fire, living and dead vegetation become fuel. When we receive abundant rainfall, vegetation responds with new growth. If we have extended periods of dry weather after that abundant new growth has occurred, that vegetation becomes dry and easier to SENIOR EMILY NEWCOMBE SPENT THE SUMMER OF 2018 ON ‘THAT’S WHEN YOU KNOW YOU GOT ‘EM’ ignite,” Coates said. A WILDLAND FIRE CREW BASED IN IDAHO. THE TEAM FOUGHT “Under these conditions, all it takes is one major wind or storm YOU CAN SEE THEIR FACES LIGHT UP WITH Conducting a burn with the Virginia Department of Forestry FIRES ACROSS THE WESTERN U.S. event, or someone being careless or malicious with fire, and the EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE WORK WE’RE gives students one-on-one time with professionals, transfers results are these seemingly anomalous wildfires. We’re seeing DOING, AND THAT’S WHEN YOU KNOW classroom learning to the field, and creates an experience that rising temperatures and changes in the dynamics of moisture, “THE BIGGEST FIRE WE SAW WAS AROUND 450,000 ACRES,” helps bring a new generation of foresters to the field. YOU’VE GOT ’EM. THAT’S WHEN YOU and we’ve got to get a grasp on how these events occur so we NEWCOMBE SAID. “IT WAS MOSTLY GRASS AND SAGEBRUSH KNOW THEY’RE HOOKED." “We ask the students to tell us what they’re seeing as the burn is can make efforts to prevent them, or at least minimize poten- THAT RAN REALLY QUICKLY. WE’D GET TO ONE LOCATION AND happening,” Coates explained. “Afterwards, they’ll start to make Adam Coates, tial damage for people and their property.” FIND THAT THE FIRE HAD RUN OFF, AND THE HEART WAS 30 inferences from the experience. And because each fire is such a assistant professor of forest fire ecology Education is also essential. Coates intends to work with com- and management unique event, we’re asking them to be the scientists of the event, MILES AWAY FROM WHERE WE EXPECTED IT TO BE.” munities across the region through the Firewise USA program, to be the ones asking the questions and working out the answers. aimed at educating residents in suburban and developing areas NEWCOMBE, WHO HAS COMMITTED TO WORKING THIS “It’s perfect on-the-job training,” he continued. “The work of con- on how to build houses and maintain properties in ways that ducting a burn briefing, laying out the objectives, and doing the reduce fire risk. SUMMER ON ANOTHER WILDLAND FIRE CREW IN DARBY, preparation is what the students are going to wind up leading MONTANA, SAID THAT WORKING AS A WOMAN IN THE FIELD Coates also hopes to develop a designated center for fire research. when they’re on a job. You can see their faces light up with excite- HAS BEEN A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. ment about the work we’re doing, and that’s when you know “I have an infrared camera and numerous devices that measure

you’ve got ’em. That’s when you know they’re hooked.” DM CHRIS DUKES heat, and we’re able to use all of these tools to conduct research

44 | FEATURE | BURNING ISSUES BURNING ISSUES | FEATURE | 45 AROUND THE HOKIE NATION 51 Class Notes 59 Travel 62 Retro 63 Alumni Commentary 64 Family

Morgan Blackwood Patel ’03

THE BUILDING WHISPERER ON EACH AFTERNOON’S COMMUTE, MORGAN BLACKWOOD PATEL CRITIQUED THE PROGRESS ON A BARBECUE RESTAU- RANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE IN THE RICHMOND AREA. Mind you, she was riding home from daycare, because she was a toddler. Her early curiosity has served her well. Blackwood Patel, a 2003 industrial and systems engineering (ISE) graduate, is now regarded as one of the most prominent women in commercial real estate in the mid-Atlantic, according to Spencer Stouffer, vice chairman at the Cushman & Wakefield brokerage firm. From 2015 to 2018, as a vice president for The Meridian Group, a private equity firm and one of the region’s premier developers, Blackwood Patel helped to shape The Boro District, a mixed-use development in Tysons Corner, Virginia, that blends residen- tial, office, retail, dining, and entertainment spaces across about a dozen new and repositioned properties and 25 acres. Real estate is a traditionally siloed industry—a property is routed from the acquisitions team to the designers and architects to the developers to the brokers to the landlords and property man- agers—but Blackwood Patel thinks less about a single asset and more about managing the brand of an entire development. That thinking is evident across The Boro District, where she focused on offering a unified experience for tenants, making eight repo- sitioned office buildings feel right at home amid the new assets.

EW ALUMNA PROFILE | HOKIE NATION | 47 EMBRACING tems Engineering, including one year design class and inviting 100 classmates is also collaborating with another Hokie as chair. When she joined the board, to her house for a barbecue. to develop document-management soft- In the evening hours, Willis P. Black- “I didn’t know what a force she was,” ware for real estate assets. wood ’72 would often spread out blue- The campaign will emphasize not only said Don Taylor, former ISE depart- prints on the sunroom floor at home, philanthropy but also engagement. “I knew what I wanted to do when I was ment head and now Virginia Tech’s INCREASING RETURNS: Following red pen in hand, to evaluate the prog- Philanthropy drives Virginia Tech’s 4 years old,” Blackwood Patel said. “I vice provost for learning systems inno- the example set by her parents, ress of his development company’s shop- excellence, because state funds and took a sort of winding path to get here.” Blackwood Patel is committed to vation and effectiveness and Charles O. ping-center projects. And his daughter tuition can’t finance the full costs of serving Virginia Tech students. Gordon Professor of Industrial and Sys- At the time of an interview at her home Morgan, after some explanation, began empowering students and faculty to solve tems Engineering. “She quickly proved in March, Blackwood Patel was easing to understand the drawings. “She got world-scale problems. And engagement that we made a great decision.” back into a work routine, meeting with means building and strengthening Hokie into the business, tangentially, pretty colleagues and friends at restaurants and At her first board meeting, Blackwood bonds—reconnecting with classmates, early,” Blackwood said. “She had an affin- coffee shops—and, naturally, she took Patel displayed a willingness to take alumni mentoring students, and much, ity for it at an early age.” along 3-month-old Jules, who was prob- “It’s as well-branded and connected a charge and give of her time. “Within much more. ably taking mental notes. JT development as I’ve ever seen in North- Drawn to drafting classes and architecture about 10 minutes, you can figure out that “There’s never a time when you can't ern Virginia,” said Stouffer, who placed in high school, Blackwood Patel found Morgan is a leader,” Taylor said. “She has industrial and systems engineering to be help someone,” said Blackwood Patel. “It tenants for Meridian. “Morgan’s vision a very strong servant-leader orientation.” a perfect fit. In her first year at Virginia is looking internally and asking, ‘How to give it a sense of place was remark- Tech, she earned top marks in a course in As advisory board chair, Blackwood can I make a difference?’ My company RÉSUMÉ HIGHLIGHTS THERE'S NEVER able. The result is the most prominent which students disassembled and assem- Patel championed the growth of ISE’s could host an intern. I can take phone A TIME WHEN and successful mixed-use development bled such objects as lawnmowers and Excellence Fund, an endowed fund calls from students. I can welcome a new in Northern Virginia in a decade. It has 2003 YOU CAN'T HELP disposable cameras. And there was no that generates earnings to support stu- graduate into the area and broaden his Bachelor’s in industrial and systems changed the market.” SOMEONE. IT IS question she would become a Hokie. Her dent activities, such as sending a stu- network by introducing him to people.” engineering, minors in business and Gary Block, chief investment officer father and mother, Mary Nolen Black- dent to a conference, bringing a speaker French LOOKING INTERNALLY Van Aken marveled at Blackwood Patel’s wood ’73, met on a blind date on Hallow- to campus, or helping students con- and partner at Meridian, said the firm’s willingness to connect with students. AND ASKING, ‘HOW investment philosophy is to provide een as undergraduates, and nearly 30 in duct research. Gifts to the fund come in 2003-07 all sizes. “As Morgan described it once, “She’s serious about it. She makes the Supply chain and strategy consulting, CAN I MAKE A an unparalleled experience to tenants. her extended family are alumni. we call it ‘the-nickels-and-dimes-that- time. Hokies aren’t afraid to roll up their Accenture, New York City “Morgan helped us synthesize and exe- DIFFERENCE?’" In the real estate and private equity add-up fund,’” said Eileen Van Aken, ISE sleeves and not just sit on the sidelines— cute on that thesis,” said Block, adding fields, Blackwood Patel often finds that and Morgan is out on the field.” Morgan Blackwood Patel ’03 department head and professor. 2007-09 that she was the first to express the idea she’s the only woman in a meeting. She MBA program at Harvard Blackwood Patel and her husband, that tenants would actually seek out a counters with confidence and authentic- “When everybody gives $25, it really Manish Patel, are now even more moti- Meridian building just like a traveler ity, embracing rather than suppressing adds up,” Blackwood Patel said. “You vated to help. They recently welcomed 2009-11 might look for a Ritz-Carlton hotel. her differences. have a direct impact on people. It’s not Director of marketing for a business some nebulous thing.” their first child, son Jules, via a gesta- focused on energy use in buildings, Blackwood Patel likes to absorb the vibe With her stature in the industry, Black- tional carrier. Overwhelmed that another Redlands, California of a building and imagine its next life. wood Patel “has really done a won- HOSTING person would give them such a gift, the “I feel like the building whisperer,” she derful job mentoring and embracing Blackwood Patel, who served for years on Patels felt a renewed sense of the good- 2011-14 said with a laugh. Planning a develop- younger women in our industry, and the Women in Leadership and Philan- ness of humanity. Development executive, Clark Energy ment, she ponders the human factors, she has been a champion for all of her thropy Council and the Alumni Associ- Group, working on large energy-effi- BUILDING ciency projects, Arlington, Virginia such as whether a parking garage seems peers,” Stouffer said. “She treats everyone ation Board of Directors, is now one of sunny or dreary or how people will inter- equally, whether they’re in their first year three chairs for Virginia Tech’s upcom- In mid-2018, Blackwood Patel began act with a green wall full of plants. In a or they’ve been doing it 30 years.” ing capital campaign, alongside Lynne transitioning away from Meridian. She 2015-18 Vice president, Meridian real estate tight labor market, where employees want Doughtie ’85 and Horacio Valeiras ’80. launched a consulting business called private equity, Bethesda, Maryland to brag about their office digs on Insta- SERVING Her decision to step into the role makes Greystreak—at the same age, inciden- gram, innovation matters to employers. In 2018, Blackwood Patel finished a five- tally, as her father when he launched his ADDENDUM sense in the context of her favorite under- 2018 Read the full story about Blackwood As Blackwood Patel tells investors, “I’m an year term on the advisory board for the graduate memory: standing up on many business—to help clients develop and Launched Greystreak, a real estate Patel at vtmag.vt.edu. engineer, but I talk about feelings all day.” Grado Department of Industrial and Sys- Fridays in Professor Brian Kleiner’s senior execute on new visions for old assets. She consulting business, McLean, Virginia

| | ALUMNA 48 HOKIE NATION PROFILE EW CLASS NOTES

Alumni, we want to hear what you’ve been doing. Mail career, wedding, birth, and death news to Class Notes, Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Holtzman Alumni Center, 901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061; email the information to [email protected]; or submit the news online at vtmag.vt.edu/submit-classnote.php, where photos may also be uploaded for consideration. For assistance, call 540-231-6285.

ALUMNI AT NETFLIX HOKIES IN LA NETWORKING EVENT ’55 ’74 CAREER George E. Keller II, CAREER Elizabeth "Ann" Virginia Teske Smith ’39 Charleston, W.Va., received the 2017 Dunnington, Blacksburg, Va., was The alumni relations office hosted a Hokies in LA networking event March 19 at the Distinguished West Virginian Award. honored with emerita status by the Netflix headquarters. The event, which drew about 140 Hokies to the streaming giant’s Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. ’ headquarters, fell on the university’s second annual Giving Day and served as a West Edward Phillip Hickman Jr., 64 Horntown, Va., is serving a one-year Coast hub. CAREER R. Bradley Chewning, term as chairman of Potatoes USA, the Harrisonburg, Va., was named to the marketing and promotions board of During the event, Michelle Kruseic ’95, Adam Abrahamson, ’06, David Silberstein ’10, and Department of Civil and Environmen- the U.S. potato industry. He is the first tal Engineering Academy of Distin- chairman from Virginia. Tom Bagamane ’83 participated in a panel discussion moderated by Senior Associate guished Alumni at Virginia Tech. Broomfield, Vice President for Alumni Relations Matt Winston ’90. (Participants are pictured in Steve Allen Orndorff, Homer Hickam, Huntsville, Ala., Colo., is CEO of Canalis Pharmaceu- image at bottom right.) was featured in an interview series by ticals, a subsidiary of Teewinot Life Sara Connell, a best-selling author and Sciences. writing coach. Henry B. Smith III ’69 Kruseic is an accomplished actress best known for her roles on “Hawaii Five-O,” “Com- George Todd Wright, Hilton Head Island, S.C., received the Order of the munity,” “ER,” “Star Trek Deep Space Nine,” “General Hospital,” and more. Abrahamson ’68 Palmetto from South Carolina Gov. is currently the director of digital content for the “The Late Late Show with James Henry McMaster. A TIMELESS TRADITION CAREER Martin Peter Azola, Bal- Corden.” Silberstein is the co-founder of Megahouse music and is an accomplished timore, Md., published a book, “The Azola Legacy-50 Years Rebuilding ’ music producer and manager for some of the biggest hits like “Moves Like Jaggar” by 75 A lot can change in 80 years, but many would say Virginia Baltimore.” Teske Smith’s favorite aspect of Virginia Tech has stood the CAREER John Robert Lawson II, Maroon 5. Bagamane founded The Giving Spirit, a nonprofit that provides the homeless Newport News, Va., was named Vir- test of time. with survival assistance. ’70 ginia Business Person of the Year. “Every person on campus spoke to a stranger, every stranger. CAREER Jane Craig Sebok, Congers, N.Y., Raleigh "Leigh" Milton published "Time Changes Everything," They just said hello or something,” said Smith, a member of Felton III, South Boston, Va., assumed pastoral leadership for Boydton United a book for young adults. the Class of 1939. “When you’d come back several years later Methodist Church. and walk the campus and everyone greeted you, it was just Joel Stone Sr., Glen Allen, Va., received the inaugural 2019 Thomas such an overwhelming experience.” Edward R. Pittman, Lancaster, Va., was elected senior vice president of Champion for Industry Award. Having just celebrated her 100th birthday, Virginia Smith VCB Financial Group. ’ returned to Blacksburg to celebrate her 80th reunion in 76 ’73 May. Accompanied by her son, Henry B. Smith III ’69, she was CAREER Marni E. Byrum, Alexan- acknowledged as a Virginia Tech Centenarian and awarded dria, Va., is president of the Virginia CAREER Jere R. Mitchell, Colum- a piece of Hokie Stone by the Old Guard Society of Golden bia, Mo., retired as technical director State Bar. Alumni during their annual celebration. of the National Association of Animal John Thomas Patton, Blooming- Breeders. ton, Ind., was elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Nancy Pachuta Anderson, Greens- burg, Pa., was named interim CEO for Advancement of Science. Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

50 | HOKIE NATION | NETWORKING CLASS NOTES | HOKIE NATION | 51 PHOTOS BY TROY HARVEY BY TROY PHOTOS STEVEN MACKAY Robert Alan Rapaport, Virginia ’ Brian Allen Talbert, West Lafayette, ’ Gary Keith Morrill and Kristin Wendy Lu Critchfield Kesslak, Beach, Va., was inducted as a Class of 81 Ind., was inducted into Purdue Uni- Ruestow Morrill ’91, Blacksburg, Sarasota, Fla., is an associate at RE/ 2019 Fellow in the College of Work- versity's Book of Great Teachers. 86 Va., were named Virginia Tech 2019 Max Alliance Group in Siesta Key. ers' Compensation Lawyers. CAREER CAREER Family of the Year. William Ronald Aimutis Fairfax Louise Holt Calderwood, Arlington, Jr., Denver, N.C., is director of the Douglas Keyes Wiltsie, Arlington, Va., is director of regula- Kathleen Mary Murtagh, Ellen Vance, Henrico, Va., retired as N.C. Food Processing Innovation Station, Va., is vice president of tory affairs with the American Feed Sanjay Mahesh Shah, Voorhees, N.J., Mass., was appointed to the Massachu- chief human resources officer of Shel- SAVE THE operations for the Defense Systems is iManage managing director for Asia. setts Department of Transportation Center. Industry Association. tering Arms Hospital on 2/4/19. Customer Group for Science Applica- board of directors. Fuquay Va- Phoenix, Ariz., Jennifer Moore Rock, tions International Corp. Arthur Glenn Davis, rina, N.C., is chief accounting officer was named president of Vela Insurance BIRTH James Charles Galonsky, James Edwin Plowman, Leesburg, ’ Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., a daughter, 77 with Zillow Group. Suzanne Hall Wood, Mooresville, Services, a Berkley Company. Va., was elected to a circuit court DATES N.C., is senior vice president and 1/01/19. judgeship in the Virginia 20th Judicial Rich- Port Saint Weston, CAREER Tim H. Mullins, Paul Alan Grachow, chief financial officer with Vulcan Kevin Barry Sullivan, Circuit serving Loudoun, Fauquier, mond, Va., was named the 2019 Best Lucie, Fla., retired from the Woodrow Materials Co. Mass., received the 2019 AIA Archi- ’ and Rappahannock counties. in State Wealth Advisor by Forbes. Wilson International Center for tecture Firm Award, the highest honor 89 Scholars where he was the audiovisual Sept. 4 the American Institute of Architects Abingdon, CAREER Charles- Robert Lee Richter Jr., Gregory C. Thompson, Fort Lauder- and media services specialist. ’ can bestow on a practicing architecture Robert L Hogan, Md., joined Independence Blue Cross dale, Fla., is executive vice president Hokies in 757 84 ton, W.Va., joined the Pittsburgh as consultant relationship manager. firm in the U.S. office of Rawle & Henderson LLP as and chief financial officer of KEMET Martin Styer Frankhouser, Beth- CAREER James Friend Dickerson, Of Counsel. Fort Mill, S.C., Corp. lehem, Pa., is the national director of Zion Crossroads, Va., was selected as Christopher Lewis Swan, Virginia Janet Watt Steele, American Humane's farm program. Sept. 7 the 2018 Realtor of the Year by the Beach, Va., is chief revenue officer joined Clemson University’s Extension team as a forestry agent for Orange- Charlottesville Area Association of with Dispersive Networks. WEDDING John Milton Hiner- Russell David Housley, Herndon, burg, Calhoun, and Lexington counties and Pamplin College of Business Tailgate Realtors. man Jr. Marjorie Elizabeth Va., was named to the Diamond Key Raghuram Tadepalli, Elon, N.C., was in South Carolina. Washington, D.C., Jones ’79, Security Advisory Council. Multicultural Alumni Tailgate Thomas Edward Hughes, Cam- named 2019 Beta Alpha Psi Outstand- 02/27/19. bridge, Mass., was named CEO at ing Dean. New Castle, Va., Brian R. Murphy, Navitor Pharmaceuticals. was honored with emeritus status by ’ ’ 78 Virginia Tech. Sept. 12 Geoffrey Randall Jesberg, Dallas, Texas, is president of FlexRay. 87 Suwanee, CAREER Richard Lee Anderson, Joseph Clinton Rivers, Women in Business CAREER John Craig Asbury, Woodbridge, Va., announced his can- Ga., is the vice chairman of the Na- Jesse Richardson Jr., Morgantown, Richmond, Va., is the head of Union didacy for Virginia House District 51. tional Chicken Council for 2018-19. W.Va., received the Excellence in Bankshares Corp. and a member of the Agricultural Law for Academia Award Sept. 14 finance department's advisory board. David Warner Miller, Louisville, Robert Christopher Rosenthal, from the American Agricultural Law Ky., authored “Employed Physician Edgewater, Md., joined Vallit Advisors Corps of Cadets Reunion Association. Phillip Rodney Blevins, Montpelier, Networks: A Guide to Building Stra- as a partner. Va., is president and CEO of Domin-

tegic Advantage, Value and Financial Centre Vet Med Tailgate ion Energy's Southeast Energy Group. Sustainability,” which was published by Janis Pinchefsky Terpenny, ’ Hall, Pa., was named to the Wayne 85 Ashburn, Va., the Health Administration Press. T. Davis Endowed Dean's Chair and Edward Robert Green, CAREER is a project executive at Gilbane Build- appointed dean of the Tickle College Betsy Gano Brumback, Katherine Ellen Quesenberry, Sept. 27 Winchester, Va., retired from MidAt- ing Company in Washington, D.C. Ridgefield, Conn., is chief medical of Engineering at the University of lantic Farm Credit after 28 years. officer at New York City’s Animal Tennessee. Chapter Officers Forum Brenton Jan Keefer, Scituate, Mass., Mike Clarke ’83 Medical Center. Jon Charles Emanuelson, Leland, was elected to the Sustainable Forestry ’ College of Architecture N.C., began pastoral leadership at Holy Initiative's Board of Directors. Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in John Asbury ’87 82 Pembroke ’ and Urban Studies Tailgate Lewiston, Massachusetts. Percival George Ricketts, 79 CAREER Kathleen Blomstedt Tim- Pines, Fla., has developed a four-year Far Hills, N.J., was named to Rut- Ashburn, Va., guided journal available through CAREER Carl Billian, Marietta, ko, Family Relations Tailgate Brent James Fields, Ga., operates a multidisciplinary head gers University's Customer Experience was named associate director in the online bookstores. Certificate Program Advisory Board. Division of Investment Management injury clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. College of Science Tailgate Alexandria, Va., at the Securities and Exchange Com- Jackie Rustigian, Jacksonville, retired from Army Civil Service. MERGING INTERESTS Phil- William David Francis, mission. David Christopher Dunbeck, Fla., is chief compliance and human adelphia, Pa., is executive director of the Center for Nonviolence and Social resources officer for Dewberry. Sept. 28 Michael Donald Freund, North- ’ When finance professor George Morgan suggested that brook, Ill., was appointed managing Justice at Drexel University. Richmond, 88 two of his former students get to know one another, lit- Paul Barnes Mustian, HokieTalks director with Rittal North America Va., is firm administrator with Chris- CAREER tle did he know that the CEOs would later lead a merger to LLC. Allison Parker Andrews, ’ tian & Barton. Richmond, Va., joined the Monroe reconstruct something from their past: “a great Virginia- 80 Charlottesville, Park Conservancy as director. Oct. 2 Bettina Kay Ring, based regional bank,” like the ones they once worked for. CAREER Va., who was appointed secretary of Thomas Benton Kelso II, ’ Nigel Anthony Greene, Elkins Park, Southport, N.C., published “Fractured.” 83 Hokies in Federal Government agriculture and forestry by Gov. Ralph Pa., moderated a Pennsylvania Bar Mike Clarke ’83, CEO of Access National Corp., and John Northam, received the Sir William Suffolk, CAREER Michael Wayne Clarke, Institute seminar on truck accident Asbury ’87, president and CEO of Union Bankshares Corp., Claudia Kitchen Cotton, Vienna, Va., joined the Union Bank- Schlick Memorial Award from the litigation. Va., is CEO of Tidewater Builders Society of American Foresters and was didn’t cross paths as students at Virginia Tech, but met a Association. shares Corp. board of directors and Oct. 10-11 was named a Wells Fargo Distin- elected a Fellow of the society. Also, Jeffrey Scott Kellerhouse, Vinton, couple of years ago at a meeting of bank CEOs in Richmond. she was awarded the 2018 President's Va., is director of pre-construction for Raymond Jeffrey Kmetz, Liver- guished Speaker. Virginia Tech Alumni Association more, Calif., is chief business officer Award from the Sustainable Forestry Breeden Construction. The completion of the merger, with Union acquiring Access, with Ascentage Pharma. Donya Cecilia Lester, Linden, Ind., Board Meeting Initiative Inc. was announced in February. The combined company will received an Alumni Award of Excel- Peter Jay Merkle, Alexandria, Va., is Avon, head of the Federal Aviation Adminis- have total assets of $16.8 billion, deposits of $12.2 billion, Kurt James Krause, Norfolk, Va., is lence from the University of Georgia’s William Matteson Sisson, president and CEO of VisitNorfolk. College of Agricultural and Environ- Conn., was named executive director tration's Unmanned Aircraft Systems and loans of $11.9 billion. of the World Business Council for Integration Office. mental Sciences Alumni Association. Sustainable Development North Read more about Clarke and Asbury at magazine.pamplin. Anthony Vernon Marshall, Mc- America. Donough, Ga., was reappointed to the For more information, including a complete vt.edu/issues/spring-2019/va-bank-merge/. Georgia Council on Aging. FOR MORElisting INFORMATION, of events, visit INCLUDING alumni.vt.edu/events. DETAILS ABOUT OTHER FUTURE EVENTS, VISIT ALUMNI.VT.EDU/EVENTS

52 | HOKIE NATION | CLASS NOTES BANK UNION (ATLANTIC JUSTIN NAUMANN MICHAEL FOLTA, CLASS NOTES | HOKIE NATION | 53 RINGING IN THE Colin Brooks Winchester, Lancaster, Timothy Edward Pierce, Laurel, Barry Irvin Matherly, Richmond, S.C., opened Fitness Machine Techni- Md., was named to the board of direc- Va., was named to lead a new econom- ’96 cians in Charlotte, North Carolina. tors of Junior Achievement of Central ic development entity to promote 11 Maryland Inc. Southeastern Michigan counties. CAREER Marc Christopher Brade, Wytheville, Va., is fire chief with the STANLEY CUP ’ 90 Kelly “Kathleen” McNany Gorman, Town of Wytheville. WEDDING Pamela Sue Speed, Cranford, N.J., is principal with Novo- CAREER Cynthia Ann Arnold, Roanoke, Va., and Brian “Stork” Seal, gradac and Company LLP. Mary Carroll, Pacifica, Calif., is Long Lake, Minn., was appointed 10/07/18. executive director of the Department to the Citrine Informatics board of Edward V. McAndrew, Mechan- of Emergency Management in San

directors. icsville, Va., is chief operating officer Francisco, California. ’ with AIS Network. FOR YEARS, WASHINGTON, D.C., WAS stadium—including the Virginia Tech Yonkers, 92 Abingdon, Va., Timothy Albert Booth, Powhatan, Robert Allen Jessee, a big sports city without a championship alumni. N.Y., performed in “Mamma Mia” at CAREER Jay Allen Altizer, Dallas, Floyd Cameron Palmore, is plant manager for the Clinch River Mill Mountain Theatre. Texas, is president of North America Va., is an associate and senior project power generating plant. team. So, in 2018, when the Washing- manager with Dewberry. “It was something that was very unex- for GES. Shirley Elizabeth Winfield Dre- Scott Richard Kizner, Harrisonburg, ton Capitals won the Stanley Cup, the Disputanta, Va., is the deputy West Milford, N.J., Andrew Ferguson Warren, Blacks- Va., is superintendent of Stafford pected, but … it was really cool for him wry, Paul Chodak III, burg, Va., is the Town of Christians- city went wild. county administrator in Prince George is executive vice president-generation County Public Schools in Virginia. to be able to go above and beyond for the County. with American Electric Power. burg’s assistant town manager. Baltimore, Md., But nowhere was the excitement more rest of the organization,” Shapiro said. Thomas Peter Fabrie, Richmond, James Harry Jarrett, Va., is chief financial officer at was appointed chief revenue officer for palpable than at Monumental Sports and According to the alumni, D.C. is filled INGENCO, a renewable energy VXI Global Solutions. Entertainment, which owns and operates company. with Hokies. Joy Horner Kauffman, Washing- ton, D.C., hosted a “Whole Foods for the Capitals. Six Virginia Tech alumni, Susan Tinsley Gooden, Richmond, “If I’m wearing Tech gear, someone will Va., was named interim dean of the L. Whole Body Health” class. Darren Montgomery ’95, Greg Turner Douglas Wilder School of Govern- “It’s going to be huge,” Lucent said, “a Christopher S. Waltz, Glastonbury, ’04, Ryan Shapiro ’10, Megan Garner ’10, call out, ‘Let’s go,’” said Turner, senior ment and Public Affairs at Virginia Conn., was named principal at Shepley pipeline of tech talent coming in and Commonwealth University. She is a Bulfinch. Travis Lucente ’15, and Lauren Zavaleta director of sales and suites at Monumental. recipient of the YWCA Richmond's staying and working.” 2019 Outstanding Women Awards. ’17, were working for Monumental in Most of these alums grew up in the BIRTH and Hartland, Wis., Paul Joseph Zahorchak sales and marketing at the time. (Lucente The Monumental Hokies have plenty Michael P. Maxwell, Susan Marie Stanley-Zahorchak ’04, greater Washington, D.C., area, so when was named an adjunct faculty lecturer Roanoke, Va., a daughter, 8/28/18. has since taken a position with a differ- they returned to the city to work, they to keep them busy, but they always find by the School of Business, Carroll University. ent employer.) They compared the feel- were happy to encounter fellow Hokies. time to represent Hokie Nation. ’93 Aimee Michelle Golden Johnson, ing to game days at Lane Stadium. Seattle, Wash., was named Chief Mar- Walter Barnes ’00 Rob Wallace ’00 “So many people that come from [D.C.] go “Four hours north, Virginia Tech still has a CAREER Jeffrey Brian Deibel, keting Officer with Zillow Group Inc. Glen Allen, Va., is vice president of the “You almost felt like you were in Blacks- to [Virginia Tech], so it’s nice to come back strong presence,” Montgomery said. OC Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Ralph Allen Trinter, Irmo, S.C., is burg at a Hokies football game because and just have even more of a connection vice president of field operations with in the Supervision, Regulation, and McCrory Construction. Credit Department. everybody in D.C. was rocking the red, PUT A RING ON IT: (above) Tech alumni with the Hokie community,” said Zavaleta. Virginia sport their championship rings. (below) Neal Franklin Wellons, as we say,” said Montgomery, senior vice ’ Beach, Va., is vice president of finance Virginia Tech has had a presence in Six Virginia Tech alumni (listed in the 91 and accounting at Chartway Federal president of Capitals’ sales and arena above story) were employed by Mon- Northern Virginia since 1969. Now, CAREER Credit Union. umental Sports when the Washington Joyce Agnes Cacho, events at Monumental. Edwards, Colo., a member of the board AN ENERGIZING VISION with Amazon’s decision to build a Capitals brought home the Stanley Cup of directors for Sunrise Banks, was ’94 To celebrate the Stanley Cup win, team second headquarters in National Land- in 2018. named one of 19 Directors to Watch Fifteen years after meeting and making entrepreneurial by Directors & Boards Magazine. owner Ted Leonsis gave championship ing and the newly announced Innovation CAREER William Wesley Griffith plans as new students, Rob Wallace ’00 and Walter Barnes Christians- III, Madison, Ala., joined Peco Foods rings to nearly everyone working in the Campus, that presence is expanding. Jennifer Poff Cooper, as chief operating officer. ’00 are realizing a vision with a unique project in the clean burg, Va., is a public relations specialist energy sector. for the Virginia Department of Health, Tamara A. Kloecki Nelsen, Bloom- New River Health District. She has ington, Ill., is executive director of the Leaning on Wallace’s expertise in solar energy develop- been published in the collection Minnesota AgriGrowth Council. “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life ment, Power52 Foundation provides workforce develop- Lessons from the Dog." Angela Cutler Rambeau, Duluth, Ga., ment opportunities in the solar energy sector for at-risk is director of planning and development and underserved individuals living in Baltimore and sur- David "Buzz" Neil Crosby, Raleigh, for the City of Georgetown, South N.C., was selected to serve on the Carolina. rounding counties. And Barnes, president of PM Consulting board of directors of the Wake Tech Group, was selected to chair the board’s foundation. Foundation. ’ 95 To date, the company has trained more than 100 people Katherine Jean Hubbell, Silver Spring, Md., received the Albert of all backgrounds and provided 30 megawatts of solar CAREER James B. Daniel II, Amelia Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Court House, Va., received the Vir- projects that will produce 40,000 megawatt hours of clean Award from Marquis Who's Who. ginia Forage and Grassland Council’s energy for 2,500 middle- and low-income households. Richmond, Harlan White Distinguished Service

OC William L. Murray, Va., is senior vice president-corpo- Award. Read more about their work at eng.vt.edu/magazine/sto- rate affairs & communications with ries/fall-2018/rob-and-walter.html. Dominion Energy.

54 | HOKIE NATION | PROFILE ERICA CORDER CLASS NOTES | HOKIE NATION | 55 WORDS TO WALLS MASTERING THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE

Sue Ellen Pressman-Dosik, Ar- tionally acclaimed play about actress BIRTH Lisa Fletcher Pace, Houston, Transportation’s efforts to develop lington, Va., is president-elect of the and inventor Hedy Lamarr, “HEDY! Texas, a son, 8/7/18. a strategic plan for the interagency American Counseling Association for The Life & Inventions of Hedy Coordinating Council on Access and

2019-20. Lamarr” at the Cube in Virginia Tech’s ’ Mobility. WHEN AVERY SEFCIK ’03 HOSTED transitioned his background in language HOW DO YOU WORK WITH Moss Arts Center. 02 Mark A. Roy, Oakton, Va., is exec- events at his home in Richmond, Vir- A BUDGET, AS YOU DID WHEN Alexan- arts into a more visual craft. He studied utive vice president for Hourigan's Jocelyn Loren Oldham, Richmond, CAREER Mark William Abbott, BIRTH Scott Lamar Pearce, Hampton Roads office. Va., was voted as best wedding soloist Spring, Texas, is director of engineer- dria, Va., a daughter, 1/7/19. ginia, guests frequently marveled at the the trade under an older designer in what YOU FIRST STARTED? ing with ValvTechnologies Inc. in a Richmond Bride survey. Rockville, “It does constrain you, but paint is still Mark Carson Walker, Sterling, Justin Kenneth Leiter, elegance of the space. The interior decor Sefcik referred to as a “Devil Wears Prada” Winchester, Md., a daughter, 2/28/18, and a son, Va., earned the Large-Scale Manager Rachel Varner Smith, Lewisburg, Katherine L. Andersen, featured touches of modernism in the cheap. You can take something, simply designation from the Community Pa., is vice president of human Mass., is a senior market manager 03/14/19. experience. Just two years later, Sefcik covering health care corporate finance add paint to it, a small piece of art that you Association Institute. resources at Evangelical Community dark blue hues, traditionalism in the old Hospital in Lewisburg. in the U.S. for Silicon Valley Bank’s emerged with a successful business and Peterstown, W.Va., ’ stone walls, and naturalism in the green- found at an antique mall and really change Brad E. Williams, national life science practice. 05 many lessons to share on design. is president of The Safariland Group. Caitlin Beck Stella, Los Angeles, Ca- ery sprinkled throughout. According to a room just by being bold. The trend lif., is CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children's Sterling, Va., CAREER Douglass Robbin Baner- Daniel James Hibbard, Dallas, Texas, is senior managing today is that everything is grey or white, ’ Hospital. is vice president of electronic systems jee, Sefcik, visitors often asked: “Who did you WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU FOLLOWING 97 at Trident Systems. director at Greysteel. Holliston, Mass., pay to do your house?” and that’s pretty, but take a risk. People Michael D. Zehner, Suffolk, CURRENTLY IN DESIGN? CAREER Timothy James How- is the planning and development Roanoke, Youlander Moring Hilton, will be saying, ‘Wow, that looks great.’” Kenneth Edward Nicely, Va., was appointed to the board of land, Blacksburg, Va., is project director for the Town of Nags Head, Va., is superintendent of Roanoke “I didn’t pay anyone to do my house,” “The magazines I read, they keep me manager with Facility Logix. North Carolina. County Public Schools. Paul D. Camp Community College and received the Joint Forces Staff College said Sefcik. “I can’t afford that.” But updated on trends. I go toward mag- HOW DO PEOPLE FIGURE OUT THEIR Dahlgren, Va., was Chesapeake, Va., Gladys B. West, Gary V. Parker Jr., Commandment’s Appreciation letter. azines like Elle Decor, Architectural OWN STYLE? inducted into the Air Force Space and WEDDING Brian Isaac Seal, is business development manager for the common question inspired him to Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame. Roanoke, Va., and Pamela Speed, Watts' drainage products and solutions Andrew Huber, Roswell, Ga., is develop his unique talent. Digest; that’s the aesthetic that I like. It’s “It takes time for people to figure out their 10/07/18. in the eastern U.S. product strategy manager with GWC Stephanie Johnson Kalantarians, Warranty. own style. Usually, it is really a gut thing. Williamsburg, Va., is vice president Murfreesboro, Sefcik, a blog-writer turned interior a bit more exciting, bold, more daring. ’ Heather Slayton, Ashburn, If you’re in a store, and you see something and stockholder of GuernseyTingle. 00 Tenn., is assistant state forester for the Abhijit “A.P.” Vijay Patel, One thing that I’ve done in my house is Tennessee Department of Agriculture Va., is vice president of marketing and designer, is now the owner of Avery you love, if it’s a gut feeling, go for it. If ’ CAREER Stephen L. Ambruzs, Division of Forestry. distribution strategy and operations Frank Designs, a full-service interior lacquer, which is super high-shine paint, 98 Roanoke, Va., received a business with Choice Hotels International Inc. you like it immediately when you see it, placemaker award during the City- design firm in Richmond, Virginia. A and you’ll see it in New York, in D.C, in Wood- CAREER Erkan Baloglu, Tulsa, Works (X)po community develop- BIRTH Amanda Lee Halks Drezek, George Anthony Preston, you’ll love it for a long time. bridge, Va., was one of four winners in graduate of the Virginia Tech College of Europe a lot. At night, when the lights are Okla., is vice president of drug dis- ment conference. Amesbury, Mass., a son, 03/18/19. covery and medicinal chemistry with the Virginia Lottery's inaugural "Made Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Sefcik on, it’s an amazing effect.” On a basic level, buy the magazines—it is resTORbio Inc. Jeffrey M. Ellis, Moseley, Va., is area ’ in Virginia" program. construction manager at HHHunt so important to be able to rip the pages Marietta, Ga., 03 Signal Mountain, Michael John Burgiss, Homes. Robert Ryan Ruff, out and put them on a board. Read them, is chief product officer with DealerPol- CAREER Michael J. Barber, Tenn., is senior vice president of Huntington, Vt., is general counsel icy, LLC. Louis Joseph Molinini, Oakton, Va., strategic growth at Aflac Inc. look at what’s exciting to you, rip them is the Mid-Atlantic Project & Devel- for Green Mountain Care Board in Cumber- Hau Huu Doan, Charlotte, N.C., opment Services Market lead at Jones Montpelier. Carol Elizabeth Watson, out—that’s how you learn what you like, land, Md., was named 2018 Teacher opened Banh Mi Brothers restaurant Lang LaSalle Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Anna Rebecca Shaffer, Arlington, Educator of the Year by the Pennsylva- what you don’t like, what your style is.” Va., is senior vice president of Jones Avery Sefcik James Andrew Moore, Baltimore, nia Association of Colleges of Teacher Larry Anthony Patrizi, Purcellville, Md., received the 2019 Soul Justice in Lang LaSalle Inc. Education. Va., is executive vice president and Education Award from the American WHAT ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS? HOW Fairfax Richmond, provost at the American College of Educational Research Association and Andrew Joseph Schulman, Erin Michelle Webb, DO YOU KEEP YOUR DECORATIONS Station, Va., is diocesan OPCF director Va., earned an Emerging Professional Financial Services. the 2019 Asa G. Hilliard Model of for the Diocese of Arlington. Award from the American Institute of FRESH AND EXCITING? San Excellence Award. Thomas Joseph Pierri II, Architects Virginia. “I mixed it up this year—I usually do a lot Francisco, Calif., is general manager of Irving, Vijaybalaji Padmanabhan, BIRTH Oakton, Hotel Zoe, a luxury boutique hotel at Texas, is a director with KKR & Co. LP. Michelle C. Dominguez, Christopher Lee Young, of fresh greenery, which is really beauti- Fisherman's Wharf. Washington, D.C., a son, 2/28/19. Va., joined Miller, Miller & Canby's Brooklyn, N.Y., Business and Tax Practice Group. ful and a traditional thing that you see all Mount Crawford, Maurizio Porfiri, Kai O. Torkelson, was named a Fellow of the Institute of ’ over Europe, see it at the Biltmore Estate Va., is the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 04 commander. BIRTH Daniel Blakey Heatwole in North Carolina, but it does dry out India- CAREER and Bristow, Va., company Christopher Russell Reading, Richard Matthew Lindsay Anne Williamson Jing Zhou, napolis, Ind., was recognized with the Bemben, Arlington, Va., was elected Virginia Beach, Va., a quickly. This year, I did a different feel, president, will lead the international director of the electronics practice Heatwole, 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award daughter, 04/04/19. where I used manmade garland. That expansion business effort for Pintec from Indiana University-Purdue group with Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein Technology Holdings Ltd. and Fox. Dorothy Pendleton Heimlich, Me- University Columbus. chanicsville, Va., a daughter, 9/6/18. was all flocked, which is when they have

Springfield, Va., is a Benjamin Hall Moore, Venice, Fla., is the fake white snow on them. There’s ’ Ryan W. Smith, superintendent of Catholic Education 99 partner in the Mechanical Patent Pros- ’ more of a modern feel to it all as opposed ecution practice group at Oblon. for the Diocese of Venice. 06 CAREER Amanda C. Boone, Bridgeton, N.C., is the public utilities Washing- CAREER to simple greenery.” Wayne Allen Wilkinson, Vienna, Danielle Wight Nelson, David Eric Collins, director in Elizabeth City. Va., is executive vice president and ton, D.C., received the 2018 Silver Blacksburg, Va., launched an online Medal for Meritorious Achievement magazine, blacksmithingmagazine.com. Brendan Coffey, a junior majoring New York, N.Y., chief operating officer with Ace Info Heather M. Massie, Solutions. for leading the U.S. Department of in communication, is an intern presented her award-winning, interna- SEFCIK AVERY OF COURTESY with Virginia Tech Magazine.

56 | HOKIE NATION | CLASS NOTES QUESTION | HOKIE NATION | 57 Blacks- Rose Bradshaw Jeter, Buchanan, Va., Manisha Pravinchandra Patel, WEDDING Caroline Marie Oliver Charles Joseph, Worcester, Alexandra Paige Mitchener, burg, Va., is commercial assistant prompted by farming stress, proposed Greensboro, N.C., received the 2018 McWilliams Alsup, Roxbury, Mass., Mass., is on the consultant medical policies on mental health that were Young Alumna Award by Elon Law's and Justin Summer Brown, 11/3/18. staff with privileges in psychiatry at portfolio manager for Hampton Roads adopted by the commonwealth. Women's Law Association and was AdCare Hospital. with Thalhimer. Dennis Preston Hollich, Fairfax, Va., recognized by Business North Carolina Stony Creek, Lorena “Rena” Jo Johnson, Glade magazine as one of North Carolina's and Emma Pearson-Hollich, 12/14/18. Adam Paul Holbrook, Madison, Betty Knott Spiers, Spring, Va., operates Highland Dairy, a Va., joined Cushman & Wakefield, Va., an instructional specialist for top lawyers for family law for the innovation and development, is the pilot farm for a new design for milking and Thalhimer as portfolio manager. second year, earning the Legal Elite BIRTH Emily Hughes Hicks 2019 Division Teacher of the Year for by DeLaval. Arlington, Va., a distinction. She is the 2019 president Alan B. Hicks ’11, Elyssa Shaye Bernstein Mackey, Dinwiddie Public Schools. of the North Carolina Association of son, 4/4/18. Robert David Ritchie, Aldie, Va., is Henrico, Va., joined the King Agency Women Attorneys. Blacksburg, Va., head of software practice at Science Crozet, Va., as social media manager. Alan Kirk Thibault, Lindsay Cobb Whit, is the winemaker for Ashton Creek Applications International Corp. a daughter, 04/08/19. Andrew Graham Satterfield, Midlo- Vineyard. thian, Va., is vice president of Scott ’ Dawn Marie South, Richmond, Va., 14 2020 ALUMNI formed a family law firm, DeBoer- Insurance in Richmond. ’

South, PLLC. 11 CAREER Bennett Thomas Wil- WEDDING Demetrius Jeremy Scott V. Totman, Vienna, Va., is Blacksburg, Va., is and vice president of engineering with CAREER Elberon, loughby Eastham, Lunsford Alicia Kattariya Ever- Ashley W. Winsky, Henrico, Va., Brenton Byrd, an associate at Christian & Barton LLP Cincinnati, Ohio, 11/10/18. joined Gentry Locke as a partner in the DivvyCloud. Va., is principal at Sunnyside Elemen- ette ’15, tary School in Dinwiddie County. with the bankruptcy and creditors' Transportation, Insurance, and Civil rights and commercial litigation Litigation practices. ’ TRAVEL TOURS BIRTH Laura Valentine Breedlove, Lindsay Nicole Chapon, Lyndhurst, practice groups. 17 Vestavia Hills, Ala., a son, 7/5/18. Ohio, is director of food and beverage Blacksburg, Va., was CAREER Saiara Musarrat Adrita, ’ for Hotel Revival. Siddhartha Roy, Blacksburg, Va., was keynote speaker MAKE A MEMORABLE TRIP BETTER: TRAVEL WITH FELLOW HOKIES. 07 Andrew Paul Showalter, Fairfax, named one of ten 2019 New Faces of Va., a daughter, 11/12/18. Olney, Md., is Civil Engineering by the American at The Daily Star O- and A-Level CAREER Blacks- Emily Marie Feeney, Kali Jane Casper, manager of capital markets and invest- Society of Civil Engineers. awards presentation ceremony at THE VIRGINIA TECH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFERS TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES burg, Va., is assistant planning director Andrew Shepard Rivenbark and ments with Noble Investment Group. Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium with the Town of Blacksburg. Virginia Tyler Dougherty Riven- Sydney Katherine Vaughan, Roa- at Mirpur. Suffolk, Va., a daughter, Atlan- noke, Va., accepted a research position FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS. EACH YEAR, THE ASSOCIATION SELECTS MORE Forest, Va., bark ’11, Danielle Marie Jakubowski, Kyle Matthew Kramer, 8/16/18. ta, Ga., is project architect at Blackney at Brown University. Kathleen Anne O’Dell, Dublin, Va., is one of Engineering News Record Hayes Architects in Philadelphia, received the Presidential Award for THAN 20 TOURS. Mid-Atlantic's 2019 Top Young Christopher Edward Sopko, Pennsylvania. ’ Excellence in Mathematics and Science Professionals. Gloucester, Va., a daughter, 12/13/18. 15 Teaching for K-6 Math from the Olivia Nicolai Marshall, Blacksburg, National Science Foundation. Namrata Loomba, Gainesville, Va., Va., joined Caplin & Drysdale as an CAREER Cham- Feb. 18-March 1 joined Blank Rome LLP’s Washington, ’ Kelly J. Cross, 09 associate in the political law group. paign, Ill., joined University of Neva- Faizan Ahmed Hasnany, South Rid- D.C., office as an associate in the Con- da's Engineering Department ing, Va., is the Chicago Bulls basketball New Zealand and the Circumnavi- March 5-15

sumer Finance Litigation group. CAREER Virginia Louise Lessard Evan Layne Synstad, Los Gatos, Ca- analytics associate. gation of the South Island Davila, Chesapeake, Va., is vice presi- lif., relocated to Charlotte, North Caro- Kathryn Dean Jackson, Glen Burnie, Legends to Lagoons Jeffrey Robertson Mettam, Brook- dent of S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. lina with Gilbane Building Company. Md., joined Pessin Katz Law, P.A. as lyn, N.Y., is principal with Oak Hill an associate in the medical malpractice ’ Capital Partners. 18 Experience the black-sand beaches group. Feb. 21-March 3 BIRTH Kathleen Berger O'Brien, WEDDING Emily Hollingsworth CAREER of Papeete, relax on the beaches of Saint Louis, Mo., a son, 8/7/2017 Fairfax, Va., and William Wes- Blacks- Victoria Lee Arczynski, and Reed, Gregory Alfonso Polinger, Falls Church, Va., has created her own Egyptian Wonder BIRTH Ashley Rood Spinetto and a daughter, 01/10/19. son, 10/20/18. burg, Va., is a project manager with Moorea, and see the coral churches Herndon, tie-dye business, Just Vicky Thingz, Jonathan Neil Spinetto, Bognet Construction Co. and was featured on ABC7 News- of Fakarava. Visit the tallest waterfall Va., a daughter, 11/15/18. Brian Edward Smith, Bel Air, Md., a son, 01/09/19. ’ Blacksburg, Va., Good Morning Washington. March 2-13 in the world in Nuku Hiva and explore 12 Alec Yuzhbabenko, is associate principal with Hanbury. the marine life of Rangiroa. ’ Washington, Rachel Christine Dodson, Rhoad- Tanzania: During 08 Megan Lloyd Varrone, CAREER Kevin Dean Rice, Bris- esville, Va., joined Clevengers Corner D.C., a daughter, 03/12/19. tow, Va., is chief operating officer of Veterinary Care. $4,299 per person CAREER Lindsay Christine Bade, B3 Group Inc. WEDDING Chandler Alice Regina the Great Migration Lynchburg, Va., is project manager and (airfare included from select cities) ’ Eaglestone Kyle Robert Krc- Owen Matthew Hoagland, Da- with Banker Steel. 10 Chevon Nichole Dunnings Thorpe, maric ’18, Bedford, Va., 08/10/18. vidson, N.C., joined Federal Capital Blacksburg, Va., is director of inclu- Partners as an analyst on the asset April 14-22 Anna E. Carpenter, Virginia Beach, CAREER Anthony Caleb Bauer, Alicia Kattariya Everette and Los Angeles, Calif., joined HNTB's na- sion, diversity, and equity in the Col- management team. Va., is associate principal at Hanbury. Demetrius Jeremy Lunsford ’16, tional tunnel group as national tunnel lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences Windmills, Tulips, Cincinnati, Ohio, 11/10/18 Annandale, Virginia Beach, practice operations manager-west. at Virginia Tech. Linda Carol Jantzen, Joshua Yost Haddad, Va., is on the adjunct research staff and Belgian Delights Va., purchased the Thomas Crown Studios. Skyler Glen Cooper, Dallas, Texas, ’ ’ for the Institute for Defense Analyses’ is regional manager for Marcus & 13 16 Information Technology and Systems Berwyn Millichap. Division. Govindaraj Dev Kumar, CAREER CAREER Ashley Laken Ad- April 22-28 Heights, Md., published an article on Andrew Walton Beal, Blacksburg, Va., is a portfolio State College, Wake Forest, N.C., is communica- ams, Manassas, salmonella in the January 2019 issue of Caitlin Anne Grady, analyst with AMJ Financial Wealth Jasmine Alethia McNeil, California Rail Discovery Pa., is the inaugural Faculty Fellow tion specialist for the North Carolina Va., was hired to the architecture staff the Journal of Applied and Environ- Management and earned the Certified of Penn State University's Center for Department of Commerce, an adjunct at HEWITT. mental Microbiology. Financial Planner designation. Security Research and Education. instructor of political science for Brian Anderson Peters, Raleigh, Vance-Granville Community College, Mechanicsville, May 6-18 Washington, Erica Kelley Grant, N.C., received his doctorate in edu- Atsuko Watanabe, and secretary of the Franklin County Va., launched a startup, Quantum D.C., earned a Ph.D. from the Uni- Insider’s Japan cational research and policy analysis Board of Elections. Lock. from North Carolina State University versity of Warwick in 2017 and is an Burke, and is now associate director of aca- associate professor at Hosei University Marcus Benjamin Cadman, Nancy Hardie Leonard, Clover, Va., demic advising programs and services in Japan. Va., is an associate with Dewberry. is 2019 Virginia’s Region 8 Superin- ALUMNI.VT.EDU/TRAVEL at the school. tendent of the Year for 2019. Robbie M. Garnes, Lawrenceville, For more information about Alumni Va., is assistant principal at Dinwiddie Association travel tours, go to Middle School. alumni.vt.edu/travel.

58 | HOKIE NATION | CLASS NOTES TRAVEL | HOKIE NATION | 59 ALEXANDER SHALAMOV ALEXANDER 60 | visit alumni.vt.edu/events. a complete listing of events, For moreinformation, including Highty-Tighty Reunion Class of 196950thReunion Virginia Tech CarilionSchool Lapide TailgateEx School TailgateGraduate Tailgate College of Liberal Arts College of Natural College of Engineering Tailgate of Agriculture College HOME- OCT. 17-18 COMING HOKIE NATION of Medicine Tailgateof and HumanSciences Resources Tailgate and Life Sciences Tailgate | ALUMNI PROFILES

2018-19 schoolyear. was the lone winnerinVirginiafor the tion professionals in the Eschenbach U.S. awards target early-to-mid career educa - and inspiredexcellenceineducation.The Grammys of teaching, have rewarded tor Awards,oftencalled theOscars or For 30 years, the Milken Educa - room, whichwasroaring. winner, was ushered to the front ofthe Award Educator aMilken now, and uate, Eschenbach, a 2010 Virginia Tech grad- called myname.” teacher. “I thought, ‘No way’—then they oline Eschenbach, athird-grade literacy be recognized with $25,000,” said Car- talking about how one teacher would ognized, but then [the speakers] started “We thought [the school] was being rec Elementary Schoolgym. faculty filed into and the Heights Virginia IN ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, STUDENTS BEST INCLASS -

with VirginiaTechMagazine. with in communication, isanintern Brendan Coffey, ajunior majoring have academicssecond.” Eschenbach. “You buildrapportfirst and are allclassroom standards,according to it may taketo make moreofanimpact” whatever and dances, rhythms, “Rhymes, hands-on, relationship-buildingstyle. have been phenomenal, thanks to her ing scores for Eschenbach’s students theread Despite thesechallenges, even playingfieldintermsoftesting.” ences that make it difficult to have a more kids come from more challenging experi- students,” said Eschenbach. “A lot ofthese of population hasadiverse and funding “We areaschoolthatreceivesTitleI ous yearforstudents. an often transformational, yet tumultu According to Eschenbach, third gradeis and creativelyreinforces their learning. that range frombooks to news articles exposes her students to reading materials sizes literacy andcritical thinking. She In the classroom, Eschenbach empha- Eschenbach ’10 Caroline - -

LOGAN WALLACE, CHRISTINA FRANUSICH, PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

TIM FORD often required to separate gas streams. captured without using the extra energy thatcanbe dioxide stream ofcarbon The process produces anearly pure fuels to capture electricity and carbon. as fossilchemical looping toconvert NETL have been using a method known at herteam and Siriwardane Recently, in scienceandtechnology. these awards honor revolutionary ideas Known as the “Oscars of Innovation,” also has received three R&D 100 awards. ical looping, andchemical stability. She chem- carries, on oxygen tions focused holds 21 U.S. patents for various inven in Morgantown, West Virginia. She Energy TechnologyLaboratory(NETL) U.S. Department of Energy’s National is Tech, at a Virginia researcher atthe cal chemistry fromthe College ofScience earned a master’s and a Ph.D. in physi A native of Sri Lanka,Siriwardane,who convert fossilfuelsintoenergy. to safeway environmentally an toward researcher and inventorwho is working isanaward-winningSiriwardane VIRGINIAALUMNA TECH RANJANI CONSCIOUSNESS FUELING CARBON - -

relations, Virginia Tech News. is an intern with public in majoring junior a Cummings, Haley is thequalityofenvironment.” life. New products are important, but so ment, andhow that impacts day-to-day concerned aboutpeople,theenviron- “We Siriwardane. said ant,” to be need import- qualityis very “Environmental quality whendevelopingnewproducts. environmental toconsider engineers hopes to inspire the next generation of enthusiasm and new ideas. Siriwardane the students is rewardingbecause oftheir ginia University. She said working with mentors graduate students at West Vir- In addition to her research, Siriwardane the processonacommercialscale. ners to find economical ways to develop tunities to teamupwith industrial part- conduct research and investigate oppor- the and team atNETLarecontinuing to but the process is expensive. Siriwardane sions from coal-burning energy plants, Chemical looping could reduce emis produce othergoods. to orused permanently underground The carbon dioxide can then be stored -

THE QUALITY OF THE WE NEEDTO BE IMPORTANT, BUTSOIS NEW PRODUCTS ARE ENVIRONMENT." CONCERNED ABOUT DAY-TO-DAY LIFE. HOW THAT IMPACTS ENVIRONMENT, AND PEOPLE, THE Ranjani Siriwardane M.S.’80,Ph.D. ’81 Ranjani Siriwardane ALUMNAE PROFILES | HOKIE NATION | 61 Retro

SCATTERED SHOWERS: A brief weather delay didn’t dampen the spirits of the families, grad- uates, or speakers, like Mark Lawrence ’80, at the 2019 spring commencement. HONORED TO SERVE

AS PRESIDENT OF THE VIRGINIA TECH ginia, and made history when the Fralin ues to grow and have relevance in lives Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, family in Roanoke made the largest gift and communities across the state, region, I have the honor of speaking at com- our university has ever received. country, and globe. What I’ve observed STYLING: Participants in Virginia Tech’s Denim Day Do-Over gathered mencement each spring. There’s little during my time as board president is a for a photo in the Moss Arts Center. (at right) News clippings and We also started new traditions—Giving that compares to the feeling in Lane Sta- university prepared for the future and promotional fliers from the first Denim Day on the Blacksburg campus Day and Reunion Weekend—and com- are a part of the historical archive. dium on graduation day. poised to change the world. mitted ourselves to storied legacies, Recently, I asked the Class of 2019 to reflect such as the Old Guard Society of Golden In July, Deseria Creighton Barney will on their time at Virginia Tech. I asked our Alumni. become our leader of the association newest group of alumni to think about board. She has been an active member of We watched our student athletes excel in what makes our university special and to the Hokie alumni community, and I am DENIM DAY DO-OVER always show their Hokie pride. ways that make all of us Hokies proud. excited about her leadership and the great The men’s basketball team advanced to work she will do representing you. I hope VIRGINIA TECH HELD ITS FIRST DENIM resulted in a flurry of animosity that lin- event that recognized the 40th anniver- This year, as my time as board president the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament; you’ll join me in congratulating Deseria. Day 40 years ago, and although partic- gered for decades. sary of the original day and was held in ends, I find myself also thinking back we celebrated a national champion in ipants might suggest the event was less conjunction with Pride Week, April 1-8. on my time at Virginia Tech. As a four- It has been an honor beyond measure to Last summer, Kelly returned to campus young Mekhi Lewis, who earned that than successful, denying the existence term member of the Alumni Association serve our beloved alma mater in this par- for the first time since her graduation The celebration marked the first return to prize in wrestling as a freshman; and the of the LGBTQ+ community at Virginia board, I’ve seen our university move and ticular role. I hope I’ve had a fraction of and was surprised by the university’s campus for many LGBTQ+ alums and for women’s softball team won the ACC reg- Tech became nearly impossible. advance in exciting ways. the impact on our alumni community as many solidified the importance of what ular season title, while the indoor track efforts to be more inclusive. that same community has had on me. “You cannot say that people in 1979 did they endured four decades earlier. MA Like those new grads in Lane Stadium, and field team claimed the conference not know that there were gay students “I started looking around and seeing all I’m nostalgic about the past AND enthu- championship. And, of course, our foot- GO HOKIES! [at Virginia Tech],” said Nancy Kelly ’81. these little rainbow things. I was blown siastic about what’s next. ball team retained the Commonwealth Mark S. Lawrence ’80 is vice president away there was an LGBTQ+ Center,” Cup for the 15th consecutive year after Then co-president of the university’s During my time as president, Virginia of governmental and external affairs Kelly said. defeating that school from Charlottesville. Gay Student Alliance, Kelly helped lead FLASHBACK Tech made an impact in many ways, at Carilion Clinic and president of the the event that asked Hokies to sport The visit was the first step in launch- Read more about the Denim Day including the announcement of the These successes, and many more, are Virginia Tech Alumni Association denim in support of gay rights and ing this year’s “Denim Day Do-Over,” an Do-Over at vtmag.vt.edu. Innovation Campus in Northern Vir- examples of how Virginia Tech contin- Board of Directors. SKLER TAUBE 62 | HOKIE NATION | RETRO SPECIAL COLLECTIONS MICHAEL FOLTA, ALUMNI COMMENTARY | HOKIE NATION | 63 FAMILY 1 6

1 “We are proud to introduce 6 “We got married on the roof our future Hokie, Rowan De- of War Memorial Chapel and nise Spinetto, Class of 2040.” took photographs on the Drill- ——Ashley Rood Spinetto ’07, field.” ——Hayley Nixon McCord Herndon, Va., who along ’17, Henrico, Virginia, who mar- with Jonathan Spinetto ’07, ried Nick McCord ’17, 10/13/18. welcomed a daughter, Rowan LISA FLETCHER PACE ’00 ’00 PACE LISA FLETCHER Denise, 11/15/18. 7 7 “Hokies past and future: Adam Pace snuggles with his 2 “Our Hokie marriage began grandmother, Catherine G. with a wedding on a perfect Fletcher ’69.” ——Lisa Fletcher fall day.” ——Alicia Everette Pace ’00, Houston, Texas, who Lunsford ’15, M.S. ’16, Cincin- welcomed a son, Adam James, nati, Ohio, who married Deme- LISA ROGERS ASHLEY ROOD SPINETTO ’07 ’07 SPINETTO ASHLEY ROOD 8/7/18. trius Lunsford ’16, 11/10/18. 2

8 “Another little Hokie came 3 “We are happy to share the into this world as Oliver Dewey news of our new arrival with 3 Hicks.” ——Emily Hicks ’10, our fellow Hokies.” ——Christi Arlington, Va., who along with Santora ’08, Chesterfield, Va., Alan Hicks ’11, welcomed a son, who along with Jason Santora Oliver Dewey, 4/4/18. ’09, welcomed a daughter, Avery Ruth, 12/6/18. 9 “We met at Virginia Tech in 2013 and got married at a 4 “Just married and ready to rooftop venue in Roanoke, Va., shout the happy news to ev- JO

SAMANTHA LETO surrounded by friends, family, eryone.” ——Emily Reed Wesson 8 and the Blue Ridge Moun- ’11, Fairfax, Va., who married tains.” ——Chandler Eagleston William Wesson, 10/20/18. ’15, Brandon, Fla., who married 9 Kyle Krcmaric ’18, 8/10/18. 5 “Evelyn Anne looks forward to her arrival in Blacksburg with the Class of 2040 as a fourth-generation Hokie. Her alumni family includes aunt ERICA HALLER PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Woodford Bratton ’14, uncle Paul Bratton ’13, grand-

parents Howard and Linda KRISTIE LEA PHOTOGRAPHY Woodford ’82, and great-grand- 4 5 father Howard “Winston” Woodford ’50.” ——Anna Clark Woodford Seibert ’09, Bea- vercreek, Ohio, who along with Matthew Thomas Seibert ’07, welcomed a daughter, Evelyn Anne, 4/23/18. GRACE HART GRACE BELLA BABY PHOTOGRAPHY

64 | HOKIE NATION | FAMILY FAMILY | HOKIE NATION | 65 Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Lloyd Alven Ward, Abingdon, Va., Stuart Dale Carter, Buchanan, Va., Va., 8/7/17. ’55 ’4358 7/23/18. 10/26/18. IN MEMORIAM Parksley, Va., Forest, Va., Robert Watts, Ralph G. Powers, 10/20/18. 11/27/18.Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Listing includes notices shared with the university betweenOct. 1 through June 1, Dec. 2017, 31, and 2018. Sept. 30, 2017. ’ field, Va., 8/26/17. The next edition will include those recieved between Oct. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017. ’ ’ John F. Nelson43 Jr., Charleston, FeliciaNewman Mohaupt R. Ogden Cornwell, Jr., Richmond, Ogden, 62 66 W.Va.,Everett 12/9/18.F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Utah,Va., 7/14/17. 8/20/18. Archie Lee Hankins Jr., Cary, N.C., William Edmund Alzheimer, field, Va., 8/26/17. Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 10/11/18. Sandia Park, N.M., 11/1/18. DeanNewman M. Carter,R. Ogden Oldsmar, Jr., Richmond, Fla., Va.,John 8/7/17. T. Smith Jr., Lady Lake, Fla., 10/24/18. 8/20/18. James Randolph Steele, Fredericks- Philip Walton England, Richmond, Va., 7/14/17. burg, Va., 8/17/18. Va., 1/5/17. Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, William Eason Price Jr., Burling- Robert Paul Colby, Richmond, Va., ton,Va., 8/7/17.N.C., 10/30/18. 11/11/18. ’43 George Michael Grimsley, Smith- John Sidney Lewis, Fairbanks, Alas- Lynchburg, Midlo- field, Va., 12/10/18. ka, 11/25/18. William A. “Al” Cobb, EverettCharles F. Edward Eldred Jr., Buckley North ChesterIII, - NewmanEdgar Farrington R. Ogden Jr.,Pierce, Richmond, Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- ’ Va., 10/19/18. ’ Durham, N.C., 6/29/18. thian, Va., 9/27/18. Avon Park, Fla., Raleigh, N.C., 38 43 field, Va., 8/26/17. Va., 7/14/17. Robert Lee Gray, field,Louie Va., T Hargett, 8/26/17. Win- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 8/5/18. ’ 7/12/18. Robert Bruce Rowland, Newtown, Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester Welch,- Gloucester Point, Paw- 43 Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, chester, Va., 7/21/18. Carl N. Wallnau Jr., William Claude Banner Jr., Va.,Robert 7/14/17. P. McGee, Va.,Billups 8/7/17. Esterbrooke Lodge, ’ Penn., 6/29/18. field,W.Va., Va., 10/1/18. 8/26/17. Va., 11/26/18. leys Island, S.C., 12/1/18. Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- TheodoreVa., 7/14/17. G. Brna, Cary, N.C., 67 Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Summerville, Atlanta, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, field, Va., 8/26/17.’ Martha8/20/18. P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Neal Lawson Lowe, Ernest Early Muntzing, New- Va., 8/7/17. Wilmington, Albemarle, N.C., S.C., 8/7/18. Ga., 12/5/18. Cannie Bryant Harrell Jr., Va., 7/14/17. William P. Frost Jr., Jack F. Neel, Newman R. Ogden56 Jr., Richmond, Va., 8/7/17. port News, Va., 10/13/18. Mass., 8/7/18. 11/12/18. ’ William Carney Gibbs, Virginia Jonas Ryland Bryant, Parrish, Fla., Martha P. Waybright,’48 Blacksburg, 43 Beach,Va., 7/14/17. Va., 8/17/18. 8/8/18. Charles Strother Jr., Delaplane, Va., Joe David Stumbo, Sarasota, Fla., Va., 8/7/17. Silver Springs, Blacksburg, Va., Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Honolulu, Chester - Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 6/19/18. 9/5/18. James John Neate, Harry Green,’ Daniel C. Newbill Jr., Asheville, N.C., ’ Butler, Pa., ’ Fla., 10/26/18. 3/31/18. 43 field,Hawaii, Va., 8/9/18. 8/26/17. JohnVa., 8/7/17. H. Travis, Bernard F. Schmidt,43 Salem, Williams- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 6/21/18. 10/8/18. Philip Michael Argabright, Howard Benson Dexter, 42 Kenbridge, Va., Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Va., 10/23/18. burg, Va., 8/30/18. Avoy Scales Glover, James T. Donahue,’ Ashland, Va., field, Va., 8/26/17. Va.,Wellford 7/14/17. Holton Moore, Gaines- 7/1/18. 43 Roanoke, Va., field, Va., 8/26/17. 7/11/18. Newman R. Ogden’ Jr., Richmond, Marthaville, Va., P. 11/27/18.Waybright, Blacksburg, Arthur H. Garst’ Jr., Newfound- Lottsburg, Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 11/18/18. 43 Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Roy Norman Young, Richard H. Bickford Jr., Va., 7/14/17. 51 Va., 8/7/17. ’ land, Canada, 10/25/18. Va., 8/1/18. field, Va., 8/26/17. Stuart Mason Carbaugh, Rich- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Va., 7/14/17. 59 Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Tarpon Ports- ’ Newman R. Ogden’ Jr., Richmond, mond, Va., 7/31/18. ’ field,Dale RogersVa., 8/26/17. Gregory, MarthaJames Herbert P. Waybright, Sharrett, Blacksburg, Oak Hill, Va., 44 49 Va., 8/7/17. 53 Springs, Fla., 8/27/18. mouth, Va., 10/15/18. John Harry Merold, Tallahassee, Va., 7/14/17. Wheaton, Md., Raleigh, ’ Teto- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Va., 8/7/17. 5/16/18. ’ Ray G. L’Amoreaux, Sidney Coplon, Breckinridge V. Rust, Marion Bellfield Elliott Jr., Va., 7/14/17. Lebanon, Tenn., Clinton, S.C., Fla., 9/1/18. 8/23/18.Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, N.C., 10/10/18. nia, Idaho, 9/22/18.43 Donald E. Bishop, R. Eugene Nix, Roa- 68 Hiwas- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 9/5/18.Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 10/11/18. Samuel Hodges McGhee III, Aaron Rudolph Flinchum, Va., 8/7/17. ’ noke, Va., 9/6/18. see, Va., 9/9/18. Mitchel P. Raftelis, Quantico, Va., Ray Steger Jones, Blackstone, Va., Walter William43 “Dunk” Duncan, Haroldfield, Va., W. 8/26/17. Roller, Weyers Cave, Va., 8/7/17. ’ 8/14/18. 7/2/18. Brodnax, Va., 10/7/18. Va., 7/22/18. Franklin D. Brown, Penhook, Va., Thomas Branch43 Worsham Jr., ’ Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 8/24/18. Edgefield,Everett F. EldredS.C., 7/13/18. Jr., North Chester - Stanley Christian Harris Sr., Rich- 43 Martinsville, Va., field, Va., 8/26/17. Sebastian, Va., 7/14/17. Morgan, Utah, field, Va., 8/26/17. ’ mond, Va., 8/24/18. Beverly M. Estes, NewmanAltman W. R. OgdenLampe Jr., II, Richmond, RussellMartha P.Ford Waybright, Stebar, Blacksburg, ’ Greensboro, Everett7/1/18. F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Fla., 9/13/18. 7/17/18. Robert P. Burwell,43 NewmanRaleigh Williamson R. Ogden Jr., CarterRichmond, Jr., 63 ’ Va., 7/14/17. Va., 8/7/17. N.C., 11/6/18. Asheboro, N.C., 10/7/18. Rita Sutherland Purdy, Waco, Lester Owen Seal, Elkton, Va., 45 field, Va., 8/26/17. Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Va., 7/14/17. Harrisonburg, Va., Mechanicsville, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Fern Park, Emporia, Kan., Texas, 11/24/18. 9/2/18. Ralph W. Cline, NewmanBeverley R. C. OgdenYowell, Jr., Richmond, William O. Purcell Jr., William L. Jenks, field, Va., 8/26/17. Vonore, Tenn., Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 9/23/18. Va., 8/1/18. Va.,Fla., 8/7/17.11/14/18. 7/9/18. Irwin Miller, Va., 7/14/17. ’ 11/22/18.Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Va., 8/7/17. ’ McGinnis James Perkins, Natural Walter Thomas Blackshear, Timonium, Md., Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Oxford, 43 Marietta, Ga., Va., 7/14/17. Bridge, Va., 8/8/18. Smithfield, Va., 10/18/18. Glenn A. Main Jr., Joseph Belton Johnson, Marion Dupre Cook, Chesapeake, 60 Lexington, 9/25/18. Va., 8/7/17. ’ Fla., 9/18/18. ’ Everett10/5/18. F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- EmilMartha Anthony P. Waybright, Viola, Blacksburg, Ronald M. Coiner Sr., Leesburg, Finks- Va., 8/7/17.11/24/18. N.C., 8/3/18. ’ Versille Haig Farmer, Robert Harrison Kirby Jr., Fair Oaks, 50 Williams- 43 Maryville, field, Va., 8/26/17. Rich- 43 Va., 10/28/18. burg, Md., 10/15/18. John Rayne Cropper Jr., Elton Yancey McGann, EverettAlan Quinter F. Eldred Spitler, Jr., North Chester- NewmanTheodore R. A. Ogden Magnusdal, Jr., Richmond, Colonial Stuart, Fla., Calif., 7/3/18. burg, Va., 11/25/18.’ Tenn., 8/29/18. mond, Va., 6/25/18. James Olin Ferguson, RichardEverett F. L. Eldred Crane, Jr., North Chester- 43 field, Va., 8/26/17. Va., 7/14/17. Heights, Va., 8/29/18. field,10/20/18. Va., 8/26/17. Charles Leslie Walstrom Cumb, Vero Beach, Fla., Altavista, Va., Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Richmond, Va., Martha P. Waybright, Alexandria, Blacksburg, Va., ’ Foreside, Maine, 8/5/18. Robert B. Fetter, EverettPreston F. H. Eldred Andrews, Jr., North Chester- Wilton B. Jackson, Robert A. Kinsey, 43 Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, ’ 7/15/18. 7/19/18. Va.,8/21/18. 7/14/17. Va.,11/21/18. 8/7/17. Sand- 64 field, Va., 8/26/17. Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Va.,Chase 7/14/17. Morison Adkins Jr., Englewood, Fla., Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, ’ ston, Va., 9/24/18. George Elliott Fox, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Knoxville, Richmond, Roseville, West Point, Va., field, Va., 8/26/17.57 Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 7/2/18. ’ John T. Carver Jr., Va.,James 8/7/17. Lyne Starling, Algie B. Ward Jr., Newman R. Ogden Jr., RoundRichmond, Hill, Chesapeake, Va., 69 ’ Tenn.,Va., 7/14/17. 11/20/18. Minn., 11/3/18. 8/13/18. ’ James Luther Towe, JohnVa., 8/7/17. L. Hood, Charlot- Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 43 Va., 7/14/17.10/24/18. 7/13/18. Russell Lawrence Henderson, Thomas Thaxton Baber, 46 Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Va., 8/26/18. tesville, Va., 10/15/18. Julian B. Jacobs, Va.,Joseph 8/7/17. Augustus “Gus” Barlow, David B. Conner, Grand Junction, EverettJohn Apperson F. Eldred HeardJr., North Sr., Chester Ber- - Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Va., 8/31/18. Westborough, Mass., 7/20/18. Colo., 11/26/18.’ ryville, Va., 10/15/18. Terry C. Drew, Fredericksburg, Va., Robert Edwin McCubbin, Dublin, 43 field, Va., 8/26/17. 7/24/18.Va., 8/7/17. Ohio, 10/13/18. Robert Lee Talley III, Charlottes- J. Pat Green, Roanoke, Va., 10/4/18. Prince Westminster, Md., Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Lancaster,Richmond, ville, Va., 11/5/18. Herbert Fleming Scott Jr., Cecil M. Massie,’ Joseph McCalvey Gulbronson Jr., W. Thomas Darnell, Max Mead- Cary, N.C., Bruce Allan McFadden, Hillsboro, George, Va., 8/8/18. 8/20/18. 43 Westfield, Va.,Caldwell, 8/26/17. N.J., 10/18/18. Va.,Ohio, 7/14/17. 11/3/18. James William Shiner, Merrill D. Jackson, Raleigh, Ore., 7/26/18. Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, ows, Va., 11/18/18.’ 11/24/18. James Leonard Felton Jr., Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 43 N.C., 10/15/18. Moneta, Va., 7/14/17. Green- Va., 8/7/17. Princeton, Howard James Curfman Jr., field,Calvin Va., Page 8/26/17. Woodford, William D. McLaughlin Jr., Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester - Fort Thomas Gordon Himes, Hampton, Va., 7/23/18. Va., 10/18/18. Marthawood, S.C., P. Waybright, 8/13/18. Blacksburg, Frank Gordon Christian Jr., John William Hayes III, The W.Va., 8/18/18. Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, ’ Raleigh,field, Va., N.C., 8/26/17. 6/24/18. Wayne, Ind.,10/6/18. Joseph William Hatcher, Va., 8/7/17. 54 Villages, Fla., 6/22/18. William B. Smith Jr., Rocky RobertVa., 7/14/17. R. Hunter Sr., Williams- Frederick Shelton’ Biesecker, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Stephens City, Mount, Va., 8/31/18. burg, Va., 10/4/18. Greenville, S.C.,43 9/1/18. JohnVa., 7/14/17. William Roller, Edinburg, Phil Harold Dawson, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, ’52 Va., 8/3/18. Va., 8/1/18. Blacks- Va., 8/7/17. Farm- ’ Irvington, Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Afton, Chester Va., - Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, ’ Robert Thaddeus Muse Sr., Marian Crouch Baldwin, Robert Henry Shultz Jr., Hughes Critz Swain, Va., 8/7/17. 61 ’ burg, Va., 8/8/18. ville, Va., 11/25/18. Va., 11/16/18. 43 10/25/18.field, Va., 8/26/17. Roger Lee Williams, Free Union, Wayne C. Garst, Salem, Va., 65 Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Va., 9/22/18. 10/23/18. Edward Lisle Shackelford Jr., ’ Kansas City, Mo., 7/15/18. 70 Greenville “Greenie”’ L. Wright Oleyfield, Va.,S. Poer 8/26/17. Jr., Greensboro, N.C., JosephVa., 7/14/17. O. Bunting Jr., Alexandria, Virginia Beach,43 Va., 10/3/18. Newman7/11/18. R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Va.,Martha 11/7/18. P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Edward M. Soucek,’ Radford, Va., Samuel Epes Moncure Jr., Com- Marlene “Micky” Fast Jester, ’ Jr.,Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 43 Leesburg, Virginia Beach, Va., 9/28/18. 47 Va., 7/14/17. Va., 8/7/17. 9/19/18. merce, Ga., 10/9/18. Douglas Ronald Fahl, Amityville, field, Va., 8/26/17. Danvers, Canton, Ga., Tulsa, Okla., Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Va., 8/13/18. Francis X. Gribbon, Oswald D. Taylor Jr., MarthaCharles P. C. Waybright, Wagoner, Blacksburg, William B. Meyberg, Danville, Va., 11/24/18. Gray, Tenn., Larry William L. Roach, Victoria, N.Y., 11/23/18. NewmanMass., 8/10/18. R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 9/29/18. 10/15/18. Royfield, Barrett, Va., 8/26/17. Robert Sherril Myers, Boydton, Va., 10/3/18. Va., 8/7/17. Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 9/21/18. Robert Scott Southard, Allentown, Va., 7/14/17. Winchester, Va., Clem- ’ Roanoke, Richmond, Va., 1/29/18. Charles H. Tomlin Jr., MarthaHerman P. W. Waybright, Lutz, Blacksburg, Carl Graham Hodnett Jr., William F. Keehne43 Jr., Va.,Frank 7/14/17. Blair Bishop III, Spout Spring, Pa., 8/2/18. 7/31/18. mons, N.C., 7/22/18. Va., 7/14/18. Va., 9/27/18. Thomas Glenn Wilson, Radford, William C Perrow, Va., 8/7/17. ’ Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Va., 11/23/18. Frank Epperly Correll, Lexington, Va., 8/5/18. 43 field, Va., 8/26/17. FrederickVa., 8/7/17. Winford Finney, Vin- Va., 6/22/18. Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, ton, Va., 10/13/18. ’43 field, Va., 8/26/17. Va., 7/14/17.

66 | HOKIE NATION | IN MEMORIAM Susan Layne Redinger Hart, Dum- RandyEverett RichardF. Eldred AndrewJr., North Provan, Chester- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- James Langhorne Houck, Lynch- fries, Va., 10/17/18.’43 Losfield, Alamos, Va., 8/26/17. N.M., 10/30/18. field, Va., 8/26/17.’79 burg, Va., 11/10/18.’43 ’92 ’08 OBITUARIES Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Midway, Ky., War- Virginia Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Cul- Bruce Hilton Skeeter, Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Sigmund Andrew Maichak, Peter Charles Jacobson II, Kenneth J. Robertson, Williams- WilliamVa., 7/14/17. Jennings King Jr., Va.,7/11/18. 7/14/17. renton, Va., 11/1/18. Beach, Va., 11/7/18. field, Va., 8/26/17. peper, Va., 8/27/18. field, Va., 8/26/17. burg, Va., 8/16/18. Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, ’ FACULTY/STAFF Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Centrev- Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Blacksburg, North Va., 8/7/17. Va.,Thomas 8/7/17. Edward Lawall, 85 Deanna W. Alexander, Joseph Adam Brenneman, Va., 7/14/17. John Edward Colville, Oviedo, ille, Va., 8/28/18. RobertVa., 7/14/17. Bryan Corbitt, Roanoke, Va., 8/21/18. Chesterfield, Va., 7/19/18. professor emeritus of business information Martha P. Waybright,’ Blacksburg, Fla., 10/18/18. Va.,Martha 6/26/18. P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Edward R. Clayton, Va., 8/7/17. 71 Joseph Leak Haymore, Knoxville, Va., 8/7/17. Paul L. West, Lancaster, Penn., technology, died Feb. 10. Bruce Elliott Allder, Berryville, Va., Gordon Danny’ Jonas, Max Mead- Tenn., 11/26/18.’ Jennifer Lynne Drof, Woodbridge, 10/23/18. 8/8/18. ows, Va., 10/27/18.43 43 Va., 11/12/18. ’ Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 10 John Howard Zechman Jr., Dan- Jennifer H. Sunnucks White, Justin Rance Marianetti, Hunters- an associate professor of sociology who Joseph Ward ’Moore,43 Bristol, Va., field, Va., 8/26/17. ville,field, Va., 9/29/18.8/26/17. ’43 Chesapeake, Va., 10/26/18. ville, N.C., 8/27/18. Charles “Jack” Dudley, 8/10/18. Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- ’ Everett F. Eldred’ Jr., North Chester- later served as director of the University Honors program, died Va., 7/14/17. 76 Va., 7/14/17. Rockville, 86 Burke, field, Va., 8/26/17. High Point, Bena, John Edward Sewell Jr., field, Va., 8/26/17. Capitol David Alan Burkhard Jr., Claire Cassell Harmon, MarthaWilliam P. EdwardWaybright, Thornton, Blacksburg, MarthaMd., 7/23/18. P. Waybright, Blacksburg, James Andrew Jones, Va., 8/12/18. March 25. NewmanN.C., 7/11/18. R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Va., 6/26/18. Heights,Newman Md., R. Ogden 7/21/18. Jr., Richmond, ’ Va., 8/7/17. Va., 8/7/17. 93 Va., 7/14/17. Va., 7/14/17. Chris Andrade Denton, Gloucester, Mark David Kavanaugh, Alexan- George Glenn Yeatts, Huddleston, Robert Lynn Hash, Henrico, Va., Va., 8/14/18. a professor in the Department of Psychology dria,Martha Va., P. 6/20/18. Waybright, Blacksburg, Va., 6/23/18. ’ 11/14/18.Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, ’ Richard Eisler, Va., 8/7/17. 80 Va., 8/7/17. 11 ’ Kevin Carl Widmayer,’ Friday James Christopher Welch, Middle- since 1977, died April 23. Ronald Burr Melvin, Newport Abigail R. Mumy43 Bacon, Mount Harbor, Wash., 439/13/18. town, Md., 8/8/18. News, Va., 7/27/18. EverettPleasant, F. S.C., Eldred 7/17/18. Jr., North Chester- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- ’ ’97 ’ Glen Allen, ’88 Alpharetta, ’71, M.S. ’72, Ph.D. ’75, professor emeritus 43 Austin, Texas, field, Va., 8/26/17. Chico, Calif., Lesliefield, Va., Page 8/26/17. Douthat, 43 Lanexa, Carlos Alberto Valero, William H. Mason Larry Alan Doll, NewmanRicardo B.R. Jacquez, Ogden Jr., Richmond, NewmanVa., 10/20/18. R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Sean Christopher Maisey, Ga., 8/14/18. 7/21/18.Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 10/18/18. EverettVa., 11/5/18. F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- ’ of aerospace and ocean engineering in the College of Engineering, Va., 7/14/17. Va., 7/14/17. 12 field, Va., 8/26/17. field, Va., 8/26/17. Forest, Va., Shawsville, Va., Eureka, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Kevin Scott Corell, John Barry Hall, died March 27. JamesNewman Arthur R. Ogden Thompson, Jr., Richmond, Dennis Russell Throckmorton, ChristopherNewman R. Ogden Aloysius Jr., Richmond, Laverty, 8/20/18. 7/4/18. Mont., 7/18/18. Va.,Wytheville, 8/7/17. Va., 8/23/18. Va., 8/7/17. ’ Hackettstown, N.J., 6/28/18. Va., 7/14/17. 81 Woodstock, Va., Va., 7/14/17. Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Blacksburg, Terry Lee Kibler, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, who served on Virginia Tech’s buildings and Edith Houston Carter, 11/26/18. ’ ’ Timothy Mills, Va., 8/7/17. ’ Va., 10/14/18. ’ ’ Va., 8/7/17. ’ 98 13 grounds team for 30 years, died March 10. 72 43 Dean Jeffery Marrs,43 Abingdon, Va., 89 Amy Campbell Brueckner, Over- William Lee Dewberry, Hurt, Va., John Vincent De Rito, Charleston, EverettRaymond F. Eldred Donald Jr., Hayden North Chester Jr., - 11/27/18.Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Christopher James Kurtze, Midlo- land Park, Kan., 7/12/18. 10/31/18. W.Va., 11/7/18.’43 field,Shippensburg, Va., 8/26/17. Pa., 10/20/18. field, Va., 8/26/17. thian, Va., 7/7/18.’43 professor emeritus of geochemistry and Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, NewmanJohn Bennett R. Ogden Quade Jr., Jr.,Richmond, Ashburn, J. Donald Rimstidt, RobertEverett F.Steven Eldred Johnson, Jr., North Deep Chester Run,- Robert Albert Ackerman, Hood EverettHazel Brown F. Eldred Marshall, Jr., North Springfield, Chester- Va., 7/14/17. Va., 7/14/17.8/31/18. ’ ’ former department head in the College of Science’s Department of field,N.C., Va.,8/9/18. 8/26/17. River, Ore., 11/1/18. field,Va., 7/7/18. Va., 8/26/17. Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, 99 14 Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Richard Darrell Trigg, Rogersville, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, William H. Wheeler Jr., Spring- Benjamin Lee Friar, Concord, Va., Geosciences, died March 24. Mike Joseph M. Cassell, DavidVa., 8/7/17. Lee Mays, Kennesaw, Ga., Tenn.,Va., 8/7/17. 11/11/18. Michael Scott Elmore, Rocky field, Va., 7/26/18. 11/28/18. Va.,Wytheville, 7/14/17. Va., 11/9/18. 10/14/18. Va.,Mount, 7/14/17. Va., 7/24/18. Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Warren Lee Hainline, Albemarle, a longtime professor of geology and a Va.,Richard 8/7/17. L. Eddings, Altamonte Leonard Harold’ Session, Chris- N.C., 7/5/18. ’ Va.,Milan 8/7/17. M. Jovanovic, Research Robert James Tracy, Springs, Fla., 8/3/18. tiansburg, Va., 10/16/18.43 43 Triangle Park, N.C., 10/9/18. ’02 ’15 former chair of the Department of Geosciences in the College of Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- RichardEverett F. Jay Eldred Bass, Jr., Norfolk, North Chester Va., - Erin Lacy Rogers, Spotsylvania, Va., Brenda Elizabeth Mcin- Steven W. Brisbane,’ Reston, Va., 6/27/18. Grant Howard’ Kugler, Stafford, 6/28/18. Newport News, Va., Science, died Jan. 6. 7/23/18. 43 field, Va., 8/26/17. field, Va., 8/26/17. Va., 7/22/18. 43 tyre-Odoms, Newman R. Ogden’ Jr., Richmond, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 11/7/18. Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 77 Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Orwigsburg, Pa., Va., 7/14/17. Marathon, Va., 7/14/17. field,Joseph Va., T 8/26/17.Martin, Dean Simmons Powell, field,Christian Va., 8/26/17. Walter Hammerle, 10/12/18. MarthaFla., 5/26/18. P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Martha P. Waybright,’ Blacksburg, Virginia Beach, Va., 7/29/18. ’ Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 82 Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, 03 ALUMNI LEADERS Va., 8/7/17. Va., 8/7/17. Knoxville, Washington, Va., ’ Va., 7/14/17. Lebanon, Timothy Alan Nagle, Va., 7/14/17. Hick- Justin D. Updike, 17 Shannon Stinson Smith, Tenn., 7/28/18. Michael Earle Grandstaff II, 11/14/18. Sarah Joy Mitchell, Oakford, Pa., Martha P. Waybright,’ Blacksburg, Va., 10/22/18. Marthaory, N.C., P. 9/26/18.Waybright, Blacksburg, 7/8/18. Robert Barnes Delano ’44, of Warsaw, Virginia, died Dec. 5, Va., 8/7/17. 73 ’ David Wayne’ Jennings, Falls Va., 8/7/17. James Arthur Marshall Jr., Lynch- Thomas Curd Yancey, Waynes- Church, Va., 12/29/17. 2017. Delano’s career included dairy and grain farming as well burg, Va., 9/22/18. boro, Va., 7/27/18.43 43 ’ Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- ’ 04 ’ as serving as president of both the Virginia and American Farm ’ 90 Matthew P. Venturini, Wood- William Samuel Hooten Jr., Edwardfield, Va., Charles 8/26/17. Polhamus Jr., field, Va., 8/26/17. Jon Eric Adams, Mooresville, N.C., bridge, Va., 9/10/18. 18 Virginia Peachtree City, Ga.,43 11/17/18. NewmanDanville, Va.,R. Ogden 10/13/18. Jr., Richmond, Newman R. Ogden’ Jr., Richmond, 8/30/18. Joseph Warren Rager, Bureau federations. He was a member of the Virginia Tech Board Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- 83 Beach, Va., 8/26/18. Va., 7/14/17. Va., 7/14/17. Bedford, Va., field, Va., 8/26/17. Santa Fe, Randolph K. Guthrie, of Visitors from 1994-1998 and was inducted into the William MarthaWilliam P. B.Waybright, Bartelloni, Blacksburg, Martha10/7/18. P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Benjamin Mortimer Stout III, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, N.M., 8/4/18. ’ ’ Va., 8/7/17. Va., 8/7/17. Wheeling, W.Va., 8/3/18. 07 Preston Society in 2002, serving as president from 2008 through Va., 7/14/17. 74 Herald Franklin Stout III, Steam- Rebecca Kay Davidson, Denver, MarthaGary Scott P. Waybright, Saunders, Blacksburg, Madison David Blodgett Jones, Fernandina, boat Springs, Colo., 7/7/18. Ronald Shawn Phillips, Bartlett, Colo., 12/13/18. 2010. Delano received a Virginia Tech Distinguished Achieve- Va.,Heights, 8/7/17. Va., 11/27/18. Fla., 10/14/18.’ ’ Tenn., 9/3/18. ment Award in 1991 and an Alumni Distinguished Service 43 Caroline Meredith43 Brown, Nor- Debra Roop Smrchek, Longs, S.C., folk, Va., 6/3/18. Alan Lawrence Eisenberg, Burke, 7/10/18. Everett F. Eldred’ Jr., North Chester- Everett F. Eldred Jr., North Chester- Va., 10/8/18. Award in 2000. ’43 field, Va., 8/26/17.78 field, Va., 8/26/17. Blacksburg, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Pembroke, Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Winchester, EverettJohn Bryan F. Eldred Hodges, Jr., North Chester- Bruce Gerard Hansen, William Shendow, ’47, M.S. ’47, Weston, Massachusetts, died Va., 11/27/18. Va., 7/14/17.9/6/18. Va., 7/14/17. ’ Va., 10/19/18. Thomas L. Phillips field, Va., 8/26/17. 84 Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, Martha P. Waybright, Portland, Blacksburg, Ore., Jan. 9. The former chairman and CEO of Raytheon, Phillips was Newman R. Ogden Jr., Richmond, Mount Monroe, Eric Leonard Ellis, Robert Eugene Clarke Jr., Va.,David 8/7/17. Bruce Lyons, Va.,9/17/18. 8/7/17. Va.,Airy, 7/14/17. Md., 9/30/18. Conn., 6/3/18. ’ recognized with the University Distinguished Alumni Award Martha P. Waybright, Blacksburg, William Frank Coleman, Freder- 91 Tamara Rumsey Wittel, Williams- icksburg, Va., 8/13/18. Elizabeth Jane Kline, Woodbridge, in 1987. Va., 8/7/17. ’ burg, Va., 9/24/18.’43 Va., 8/15/18. 75 Marc A. Houle, Pineville, N.C., Brian Patrick Clark, Midlothian, 7/29/18. Cathy Sue Yearout, Christiansburg, Va., 7/15/18. ’ 43 Va., 11/15/18. Lance Edward Wallace, Midlo- thian, Va., 10/24/18.

68 | HOKIE NATION | IN MEMORIAM THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: Virginia Tech’s main greenhouse range, which is associated with the School STILL of Plant and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is located on the corner of LIFE Washington Street between the Hahn Horticulture Gar- den and McComas Hall. The 51,000 square feet of space includes the Keck Greenhouse Range and the Jacob P. Lutz Teaching Greenhouses. Many departments and programs use the greenhouses for teaching, research, and Extension activities.

SKYLAR TAUBE STILL LIFE | 71 Charlie Phlegar END NOTE STANDING AT AN INFLECTION POINT IN HISTORY

WE FACE A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD Layer in the countless research projects Through the campaign, we will ensure that’s more global and more diverse than through which Virginia Tech is tack- that Virginia Tech emerges as one of the the one I graduated into. Our graduates ling the complicated problems of our most respected and premier institutions today will enter a world that’s moving world. The ambitious Global Business in the world. That’s not hyperbole. But more quickly than we can imagine. It’s and Analytics Complex intersects with it will take our collective leadership and imperative that we change as a univer- the future of data analytics and data sci- participation. It will be difficult, and it sity as well. ence. The university’s groundbreaking won’t happen overnight. It will take the work with brain research has implica- We’re seeing that change in Alexandria, $10 gifts and the $10 million gifts. It will tions for everything from sports to vehi- where Virginia Tech will build its Inno- take mentoring students and helping fac- cle safety. The university’s partnerships vation Campus as the Commonwealth of ulty commercialize their inventions. It with business and the corporate world to Virginia ramps up its efforts to increase will take all of us deciding to invest in develop autonomous vehicles and intelli- the tech-talent pipeline to support the Virginia Tech graduates who will change gent infrastructure are changing the way the world. growing tech sector, including Ama- we see roads. zon’s second headquarters. This is an This campaign will take a monumen- When you consider these and the many amazing opportunity to expand our pres- tal effort to succeed. I’m excited by the other projects in motion, it’s clear that ence in the greater Washington, D.C., opportunity to meet the challenge, espe- Virginia Tech is positioned like no other area, which will soon become one of cially as we approach the institution’s university in the world. This is truly our the great digital economies of the world. sesquicentennial—our 150th anniver- moment. We’re going to be right in the middle of sary— in 2022. And just as importantly, it, which will give our students and fac- To make this leap forward, though, one I’m optimistic. ulty tremendous opportunities—not just thing is clear: Today’s best universities in Northern Virginia but in Roanoke, thrive because of private giving from This moment is happening because of Blacksburg, and throughout Virginia. their proud alumni. We’re thankful for our dedication to our motto, Ut Prosim the funding that tuition and state support (That I May Serve). Your expertise, hard In Roanoke, we’re making tremen- work, and commitment to serve have dous advances at the Fralin Biomedical provide, but philanthropy is the suste- gotten us to this point. And I believe to Research Institute at VTC and the Vir- nance that we need to boost our efforts. my core that those same values, paired ginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. The beginning of the upcoming capital with our sustained investment in the Over the past decade, Virginia Tech has campaign, which we’ll launch in October, future, will transform this university. expanded its research and academic port- is a pivotal moment. Building upon our The world needs Virginia Tech and its folio by adding a medical component, an rich history and broad reach, the vision commitment to serve. We need you to help element that’s a must for any comprehen- for tomorrow’s Virginia Tech represents us get there. sive university. These enterprises have an opportunity for not only alumni, but turned out to be game-changers for the friends, foundations, and corporations to Charlie Phlegar is the vice president university, for Roanoke, and for Virginia. invest in something quite significant. for advancement at Virginia Tech.

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72 END NOTE WALLACE LOGAN 1986 REUNION WEEKEND 2020 WEEKEND REUNION This ishome.

SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 4-7,SAVE DATE: THE JUNE 2020 from university leaders, and more. and from university leaders, activities, happy hours, presentations presentations hours, activities, happy the-scenes campus tours, children’s tours, campus the-scenes Enjoy Drillfield, the dinner on behind- our four-day summer reunion. four-dayour summer friends, family, and campus during family,friends, campus and Virginia with Tech Reconnect is home. ALUMNI.VT.EDU/REUNION2020 ADALINE MCDEARIS 2040? MCDEARIS ADALINE (in stroller, in retro photo) SARAH WORLEY MCDEARIS ’ MCDEARIS WORLEY SARAH GARY M. WORLEY ’ WORLEY M. GARY SANDRA WORLEY ’ WORLEY SANDRA 78, ’ 78, 78 2019 94, ’ 94, 08 ’ 08 99 15 AND CLASS YEAR IN THE EMAIL. YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL YOUR UPDATES TO [email protected]. MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME IT’S EASY TO UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND EMAIL ADDRESS AT ALUMNI.VT.EDU. INFORMATION. YOU CAN INSPECT AND UPDATE YOUR ALUMNI PROFILE ANYTIME, FROM ANYWHERE. PID AND PASSWORD TO VIEW AND MAKECORRECTIONS TO YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS, AND OTHER MAKE SURE THE UNIVERSITY HAS YOUR UP-TO-DATE MAILING AND CONTACT INFORMATION. USE YOUR VIRGINIA TECH • • CHOOSE “HOKIE PLUS“ • LOGIN WITH YOUR VT PID AND PASSWORD • CLICK “UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION“ THEN CHOOSE “UPDATETHEN PHONE(S)” ADDRESS(ES) AND OR “UPDATE EMAIL ALUMNI ADDRESS(ES)” up-to-date onuniversity news. events andcampus activities, andstay about your fellow Hokies, find linksto Visit usonlineto read even more stories STAY VTMAG.VT.EDU

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magazine issue ofVirginia Tech Magazine. topics and many more in the fall You’ll find stories aboutthese pus quickly andsafely. tive ways to move around cam- and staff are alternaexploring - and scooters, students, faculty, cles and buses to skateboards pus transportation? From bicy How doesgrowth affect cam- healthy harvests. lation andare promoting safe and popu- ing needsofanexpanding ing farmers provide for the grow- research andeducation are help- around theworld.Virginia Tech ture of farming in the U.S. and nology are transforming thefu- search. Today, advances in tech- in agricultural education andre- Virginia Tech’s isrooted history IN OURNEXTISSUE

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