Spring 2017 Commencement Program
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146TH YEAR OF THE UNIVERSITY MAY 11-14 SPRING 2017 VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY 1 COMMENCEMENT UNIVERSITY DIGNITARIES AND INVITED SPEAKERS Timothy D. Sands, President, Virginia Tech Tyler O. Walters, Dean of University Libraries Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook and Founder of Muhammad R. Hajj, Associate Dean of the Graduate School LeanIn.org, Keynote Speaker, University Commencement Amy Pruden, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, and Director, Laura Lindenfeld, Director, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Science and Professor, School of Journalism, Stony Brook Kenneth H. Wong, Associate Dean of the Graduate School in the University, Keynote Speaker, Graduate School Commencement National Capital Region and Director of the Northern Virginia Mehul P. Sanghani, President and Chief Executive Officer, Octo Center, Introduction of the National Capital Region Faculty Consulting Group Inc., Class of 1998, Keynote Speaker, Association Speaker National Capital Region Commencement Montasir Abbas, President of the Faculty Senate, Message from the Regina E. Dugan, Vice President of Engineering, Building 8, Faculty and Commencement Marshal, Graduate School and Facebook, Classes of 1984 and 1985, Special Remarks, University Commencements University Commencement Rebecca Oswalt, Female Member-At-Large, Class of 2017, Opening John R. Lawson II, President and Chief Executive Officer of W.M. Reflections, University Commencement Jordan Company, Class of 1975, William H. Ruffner Medal Award Patrick M. Finn, President, Class of 2017, Message from the Class Recipient President, University Commencement Letitia A. Long, Chairman of the Board, Intelligence and National Allison L. Crandell, Vice President, Class of 2017, Closing Reflections, Security Alliance, Class of 1982, University Distinguished University Commencement Achievement Award Recipient Alexa Parsley, President, Student Government Association, Class of Nancy M. Moga, Principal of Callaghan Elementary School, Alleghany 2017 County, Class of 1976, Alumni Distinguished Service Award Recipient Jonathan Caldwell, Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Performing Arts, Conductor, Wind Ensemble, University Commencement Charles T. Wood, Owner, Attributes for Success LLC, Class of 1970, Alumni Distinguished Service Award Recipient Jessica L. Vance, B.A. candidate in Music Performance, Class of 2017, Vocalist, University and Graduate School Robert D. Allen, Senior Manager, Materials Discovery and Innovation Commencements Department, IBM Almaden Research Center, Class of 1985, Graduate Alumni Achievement Award Recipient Matthew M. Winston Jr., Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations, Introduction of the Graduate Alumni Achievement Mark S. Lawrence, Vice President for Governmental and External Award Recipient, Graduate School Commencement Affairs at Carilion Clinic and President-elect Alumni Association Board of Directors, Class of 1980, Greetings from the Alumni Joseph S. Merola, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Reader of Association, University Commencement Ceremony Names, Graduate School Commencement Thanassis Rikakis, Executive Vice President and Provost Mohammed S. Seyam, Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science and Applications, Graduate Student Marshal, Graduate School Sherwood G. Wilson, Vice President for Administration Commencement Charles D. Phlegar, Vice President for Advancement Shekila Melchior, Ph.D. candidate in Counselor Education, Graduate M. Dwight Shelton Jr., Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Student Speaker, Graduate School Commencement Officer Samantha Fried, Director of Communications, Graduate Student Michael J. Friedlander, Vice President for Health Sciences and Assembly Technology Erin Lavender-Stott, Ph.D. candidate in Human Development, Chief Scott F. Midkiff, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Justice, Graduate Honor System Information Officer Wallace E. Easter II, Associate Professor, School of Performing Arts, Steven H. McKnight, Vice President of the National Capital Region and Conductor, Virginia Tech Brass Ensemble, Graduate School Commencement Guru Ghosh, Vice President for Outreach and International Affairs Dana K. Hansson, Director, Evening M.B.A. Program, Introduction Theresa S. Mayer, Vice President for Research and Innovation of the Graduate Student Speaker, National Capital Region Patricia Ann Perillo, Vice President for Student Affairs Commencement Karen P. DePauw, Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education Brent Blevins, President, National Capital Region Alumni Chapter, Classes of 2003 and 2005, Introduction of the Alumni Speaker, Menah Pratt-Clarke, Vice Provost for Inclusion and Diversity and Vice National Capital Region Commencement President for Strategic Affairs Justin O. Graves, Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors, Alan L. Grant, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Classes of 2012 and 2014, Greetings from the Alumni A. Jack Davis, Dean, College of Architecture and Urban Studies Association, National Capital Region Commencement Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean, Pamplin College of Business Kathleen Hancock, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Member of the National Capital Region G. Don Taylor, Interim Dean, College of Engineering Faculty Association, Message on Behalf of the Faculty, Paul L. Knox, Dean, University Honors College and Commencement Marshal, National Capital Region Commencement Rosemary Blieszner, Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Carolyn Darville, B.S. in Business Administration, Class of 2013, Vocalist, National Capital Region Commencement Paul M. Winistorfer, Dean, College of Natural Resources and Environment Jean M. Raleigh, M.B.A. candidate, Graduate Student Remarks, National Capital Region Commencement Sally C. Morton, Dean, College of Science Adil N. Godrej, Director, Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Lab, Reader Cyril R. Clarke, Dean, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary of Names, National Capital Region Commencement Medicine Charles T. Peterson, Director, Quintessential Brass Repertoire, J. Thomas Brown Jr., Dean of Students National Capital Region Commencement 2 BOARD OF VISITORS Mr. James L. Chapman IV, Rector Mr. Michael J. Quillen Dr. Montasir Abbas, Faculty Representative Mr. Dennis H. Treacy, Vice Rector Mr. Wayne H. Robinson Mr. Alex Parrish, Staff Representative Ms. Greta J. Harris J. Thomas Ryan, M.D. Ms. Tara D. Reel, Graduate Student Mr. Charles T. Hill Mr. Mehul P. Sanghani Representative Mr. Mehmood S. Kazmi Mr. Steve Sturgis Mr. Gabriel Cohen, Undergraduate Student Mr. L. Chris Petersen Mr. Horacio A. Valeiras Representative Ms. Deborah Martin Petrine Mr. Jeff E. Veatch 2016 - 2017 COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE Daniel B. Taylor, Chairman Andrew W. Ellis Steven D. Sheetz Rami A. Dalloul, Commencement Marshal Patrick M. Finn Michael W. Stowe Kelly L. McCann, Director of Processions Rebecca A. Funk Martha L. Sullivan Diane Zahm, Director of Ushers P.J. Johnston Benjamin F. Tracy Janice E. Austin Lance L. Jones Anthony S. Watson Candice E. Clemenz Liselle A. Joseph Pengtao Yue Jay Crone Kim T. O’Rourke Deborah E. Dickerson Chris Saunders SPECIAL RESOURCE PERSONS Janice E. Austin, Director of Graduate Admissions & Academic Progress, Graduate School Clyde Y. Cridlin, Jr., Associate Registrar for Academic Programs and Compliance, Office of the University Registrar Thomas R. Gallemore, Sergeant, Specialized Patrol, Virginia Tech Police Department Rebecca S. Jones, Athletic Eligibility Analyst/Graduation Analyst, Office of the University Registrar Susan G. Merten, Assistant to the Associate Dean and Director, Northern Virginia Center Richard K. McCoy, Associate Director, Parking Services Michael J. Mulhare, Assistant Vice President, Emergency Management Margie B. Murray, Special Events Coordinator, Office of the President April B. Myers, Governance and Projects Coordinator, Office of the President Lisa E. Rentfrow, Athletic Eligibility Coordinator/Graduation Analyst, Office of the University Registrar Sara Simpkins, User Experience Designer and Planner, Office of the President Pamela G. Vickers, Director, ADA and Accessibility Services Laura J. Wedin, Director of Alumni/Student Programs, Alumni Association 3 GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT 2:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11, 2017 CASSELL COLISEUM (The audience is requested to remain seated as the academic procession enters.) Prelude ........................................................................................................................................ Virginia Tech Brass Ensemble Wally Easter, Coordinator Academic Processional ..........................................................................................Montasir Abbas, Commencement Marshal Mohammed S. Seyam, Graduate Student Marshal The National Anthem ........................................................................................................................................ Jessica L. Vance B.A. candidate in Music Performance, Class of 2017 Posting of Colors .......................................................................................................................... Corps of Cadets Color Guard Greetings ......................................................................................................................................................... Timothy D. Sands University President Speaker Introductions ....................................................................................................................................Thanassis