Virginia magazine Hereditary Hokies Hereditary Saving thebay|Factor ofX Tech

summer 2010 vol. 32, no. 4 Message from the President Contents Summer 2010 VOL. 32, NO. 4

Arts on campus entering new era By Charles W. Steger ’69 8 Beyond Blacksburg Research programs at each of the 12 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers spread across the commonwealth are purposefully varied and data-driven, 10 benefiting the agricultural diversity and economy of each region.

10 Hereditary Hokies If the admissions office manned a recruiting table at your latest family reunion, your family may be genetically Hokie. Passed down from generation to generation, Hokie Spirit runs through the bloodlines of many Hokie families.

14 Saving the Chesapeake Bay Virginia Tech researchers are at the forefront of renewed efforts to save the Chesapeake Bay, pitted against excessive nutrients and sediment that degrade water quality and threaten aquatic life. See how experts at Virginia Tech are restoring the future of a Center for the Arts, opening in fall 2013. national treasure. 14 Shortly after I became president, we made a commitment, The Center for the Arts complex will include both new and 18 Campus, circa WWI on Founders Day in 2000, to invigorate the university’s fine and renovated facilities at the intersection of North Main Street and performing arts spaces and programs. Later, I posited on this Alumni Mall. Its location at the main entrance to campus near D.C. Wolfe (civil engineering ’21), a musician and engineer, was also a prolific photog- page thoughts on the importance of the arts in the college ex- the center of the Town of Blacksburg symbolizes our commit- rapher. From pole-vaulting on the Drillfield to cadets with disarming smiles, Wolfe’s photos—compiled with memorabilia in two previously unpublished scrapbooks—offer perience. [Editor’s note: See the Winter 2001 issue of Virginia ment to the arts and to other dimensions of the educational a unique glimpse of the Blacksburg campus. Tech Magazine.] experience, as well as its importance to the university and to our As a university, we strive to educate the whole person—to broader community. In addition, the central location surely will prepare students for life at work as well as for life beyond work. stimulate arts-related businesses. 20 Factor of X Creating successful scientists, engineers, and businesspeople is a The Center for the Arts will comprise three major areas: Virginia Tech dazzled the world in 2003 with , the fastest supercomputer in very different endeavor now than in the past. Research dem- the performance hall, visual arts galleries, and the Center for academia, trumpeting the university’s technological credentials. Seven years later, the onstrates that participation in the arts is a pivotal element in Creative Technologies in the Arts. The performance hall will lightning-quick supercomputer is still producing groundbreaking results for scientists in Blacksburg and around the world. this endeavor, that exposing students to the different modes of have the flexibility to present theater, music, and dance perfor- thinking and problem solving are necessary parts of the creative mances. The visual arts galleries will incorporate display space process. for traditional visual art as well as emerging interactive and 28 In the fishbowl with Rob Wittman 20 Two of history’s greatest artists, Leonardo da Vinci and digital forms. It will exhibit artwork on loan to the university as Spending a day with Congressman Rob Wittman (biological sciences ’81) is to real- Michelangelo, were also among history’s greatest engineers. Da well as parts of our permanent collection. ize that every minute is scheduled in order to maximize his influence, outreach, and Vinci, who painted and sculpted some of the world’s greatest The Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts will be service. But Wittman wouldn’t have it any other way, and he’ll never forget his roots. artistic treasures, also designed machines for human flight and housed in new space as well as renovated space in Shultz Hall. greatly advanced the state of knowledge in fields as diverse as The center, a technological incubator, laboratory, and studio 31 Alumni Association News Letters to the editor...... 2 anatomy and civil engineering. Michelangelo, whose master- setting, will be used to explore the many intersections of art, page 31: Commentary Around the Drillfield...... 4 pieces include the Pieta, the Statue of David, and the Sistine education, and technology and will enhance education at the page 32: The generations of Virginia Tech alumni Philanthropy...... 25 Chapel ceiling, also engineered the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica primary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. The page 35: 2010 reunions and homecomings Corps of Cadets...... 39 in Vatican City. For these great thinkers, there were no bound- center will include the Collaborative Performance Lab, a venue page 36: New board members, award nominations Book Notes...... 40 aries between the creative arts, science, and the mechanical arts. for exploring visual and performance arts using the latest inter- page 37: National Capital Region’s record-setting job fair Now, one decade after sharing these ideas with you, the arts active technology. Class Notes...... 42 are entering a new era on the Virginia Tech campus. In June Through the center, we can leverage the strengths of existing In Retrospect ...... 47

2010, we broke ground for the Center for the Arts. Opening arts programming and explore new relationships between the DEPARTMENTS in fall 2013, this $89-million, 130,000-square-foot facility will arts and technology. So, Virginia Tech finally will have facilities feature a 1,260-seat performance hall, visual art galleries, and supporting the arts to match the university’s world-recognized creative-technology lab spaces. prowess in so many areas of academe. Cover: Photos from the Echols-Saunders family; memorabilia from the family and the Alumni Museum in the Holtzman Alumni Center. Read the full story on page 10. Photo by Jim Stroup.

Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 1 Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: Send us your thoughts at [email protected]

Virginia Tech Magazine Proud to see Restoring the traditional my “steam tables,” a much- great interest. It was good I was proud to have Summer 2010, Vol. 32, No. 4 Tech tackling tough architectural theme and style used book from my under- to read about a friend and my name listed with all of Editor of the campus and affirming graduate days in mechanical excellent servant of Virginia the others who have served Jesse Tuel issues Assistant Editor I would like to praise the future use of engineering. Norris was also Tech, Ray Smoot. the university so unself- Denise Young Art Director Denise Young and the staff was a challenge and one of a mechanical engineer—and I thought the issues and ishly. Thanks for writing the Glen Duncan edu at for our greatest achievements. initiates for Pi Tau Sigma, the interests that drove the arti- article. . Virginia Tech Magazine

t Graphic Designer Valerie Anderson The university should know honorary mechanical engi- cle’s subjects to want to serve .v having the courage to publish Bill Coulbourne ’68 e Intern the article in the recent issue that without Ray Smoot’s neering society, were required Virginia Tech by being the Chelsea Newman ’10 Happy to be Hokies Dewey Beach, Del. Contributors (Spring 2010) titled “Tearing These little Hokies were ei- steady leadership and over- to obtain the signatures of all student body president cer- Maj. Carrie Cox I couldn’t resist sending ther hungry or steaming mad Down Animal House.” As a sight of the process, this could current faculty and student tainly mirrored mine when Lori Greiner you this photo of my new to learn the Hokies were Hokies in Disney Richard Lovegrove have never happened. Ray members at the time of the I was a junior and decided Steven Mackay 48-year-old mother with plans excluded from the NCAA World

vtmagazin grandson and his little buddy. . Albert Raboteau of sending my 10th-grader and basketball tourney. had to deal with a number of new member’s initiation. to run. I can still remember w Since I am a ’93 gradu- Copy Editors On the left is Joseph Coolick, Richard Lovegrove 8th-grader away to Virginia diverse constituencies. Some H.J. “Jack” Heikkenen, a Garland Rigney talking to ate and have a husband ww and Charlie Taylor is on the Laura Purcell universities in a couple years, beaches. The photo was taken wanted the campus to go retired entomology professor, me about running when I who’s a “Hokie by marriage” Webmaster right. They were born several at Waikiki Beach on Oahu. modern, some postmodern, delighted in telling me the had never considered it, and Juliet Crichton I was impressed that Virginia days apart in November 2009, to me, my family honored Alumni Association and some wanted to fill all following story. Whenever he I thought I must be out of Communications Director Tech had the audacity to print and were about six weeks old Janine Pratt ’80 Virginia Tech on April 16, Melissa Vidmar the open space around the told me that he lived at 802 my mind. I just wanted to the truth about alcohol use in the photo. Their moms are Cheltenham, Pa. 2010, while vacationing Photographers Drillfield. By Ray’s skillful Preston Ave., they invariably graduate out of the engineer- Michael Kiernan and problems at their own good friends and were Chi at Disney World. It was a John McCormick management of the construc- said, “Oh, you live in the Nor- ing program, move on, etc. Jim Stroup school. Obviously, I am disap- Omega sisters at Tech–Ann The legacy of wonderful feeling to support Business Manager tion program and his ability ris house.” Jack would loudly But truly there have pointed in the widespread use Marie Ferramosca Coolick Hokie Stone my alma mater and have the Paula Vaught to work with the buildings proclaim, “I have now lived many times since 1968 when Alumni Notes of alcohol in our high schools (’02 art, ’03 marketing) and I want to let you know public embrace our Hokie Shirley Fleet and universities, but I am and grounds committee, we there 20 years. When does I’ve looked back and thought Associate Vice President Christine Stora Taylor (’03 how much I enjoyed Clara Spirit that day in Epcot. We for University Relations still have one of the more it become the Heikkenen that was the best year of my thankful that Tech is doing urban planning). Their stock- Cox’s article on Hokie Stone thought you’d enjoy seeing Larry Hincker ’72, M.B.A. ’94 beautiful campuses in the house?” Just another tale time at Tech. I learned more Director of University Publications many things to try to edu- ing caps said “L’il Hokie,” and in the [Spring 2010] Virginia us in our Hokie Spirit at Clara B. Cox M.A. ’84 country. from old Blacksburg. about myself and others, I cate students: using a harm- were made by my wife, Cathy Tech Magazine. It brought Epcot/Disney. Thanks for all Director of Marketing think I helped in some small and Strategic Communications reduction model, focusing on back memories of many the outreach and great infor- Melissa Richards Murray Ferramosca ’75. Cecil Maxson ’52 Roger Hedgepeth ’52 high-risk groups, counseling way shape the future of Tech, mation you all provide us! Vice President for Alumni Relations sessions of the board of visi- Richmond, Va. Blacksburg, Va. Tom Tillar ’69 emotional issues, and utilizing Tim Ferramosca ’73 I met many people who in- tors’ buildings and grounds Kristin Metz Mentz ’93 the motivational interviewing Virginia Beach, Va. fluenced me to keep reaching Address changes and circulation inqui- committee. It was several years I want to congratulate Columbia, Md. ries should be mailed to the Virginia Recollections of for goals and always striving Tech Alumni Association, Holtzman model to focus students on ago that you were covering the Clara B. Cox on her excellent Alumni Center (0102), Blacksburg, VA examining their behavior and 50th birthday for Dean Norris to do better, and I was 24061, or sent via e-mail to alumni- committee meetings for the I continue to read and biography on Dean Norris. It [email protected]. Alumni notes should be making better choices. alumna and Hawaii there at a time of significant Rob and Kristin Metz mailed to Alumni Notes, Virginia Tech Spectrum. During the 16 years was his establishing of two- For my sister Dory’s enjoy Clara Cox’s journal- change for the university. Mentz with their children, Alumni Association, Holtzman Alumni I agree that it takes the stu- after 1983, several battles were year engineering courses at Center (0102), Blacksburg, VA 24061, (Dory Pratt Gordon ’81) 50th istic work. I was especially Chloe, 6, and Trevor, 2. or sent via e-mail to [email protected]. dents, school staff, community, undertaken on the direction various locations in Virginia Virginia Tech Magazine is produced by birthday, I gave her a pair of delighted with the piece on the Office of University Relations, with and parents working together to of architecture on the campus, that enabled me to earn an support from Alumni Relations. The Hokie flip-flops to take to Earle B. Norris. I date back to underwrites reduce the use and/or the risks and I was fortunate to be in- engineering degree at Vir- Hawaii, where she celebrated his era. He retired as dean of most production costs. of alcohol. I am so proud to volved in the majority of them. ginia Tech. I was a student at her birthday on Aug. 21, engineering the year I received Advertising opportunities will be avail- be an alumna of a great school the Bluefield branch under able beginning with the fall 2010 2009, with her my B.S. Back then, VPI had edition, with placement throughout that does not try to hide such Professor Clarence Trent. the magazine. In addition, alumni may a number of unique faculty important issues, but instead is family—also the promote their businesses in the Class (each with a notable personal- Notes section. For advertising rates and addressing them directly to try exact day of the John A. Gardner ’44 information, contact [email protected]. ity) who were strongly devoted to improve this serious problem. 50th anniversary of Tulsa, Okla. Virginia Tech does not discriminate Hawaii’s statehood. to teaching as opposed to against employees, students, or ap- Kudos to Virginia Tech plicants for admission or employment She made sure that building layer upon layer To serve is to learn on the basis of race, gender, disability, Magazine! age, veteran status, national origin, Hokie tracks were of academic laurels. Their I read Meghan Williams’s religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions Sherry H. Watkins ’84 left in the sands of credentials were quite natural. article in the spring issue of concerning discrimination should con- tact the Office for Equity and Access. Centreville, Va. Hawaii’s beautiful I have the dean’s signature in Virginia Tech Magazine with

2 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 3 Around the Drillfield Around the Drillfield

to those students who have April 16, 2007. U.S. Am- College of Engineer- Commencement then and now: exceptional and balanced bassador to Romania Mark ing graduate pro- 1910 and 2010 achievement in academics, Gitenstein said, “Professor gram ranked 25th The 2010 commencement ceremonies in mid-May didn’t leadership, and service. Librescu will live on in our Virginia Tech’s College include a Sham Battle or an Alumni Smoker, as did the memory every day as we pass of Engineering now ranks 1910 commencement celebration at Virginia Polytechnic Steger recognized by this street named in his among the nation’s 25 best John Mc C or m ick Institute, now Virginia Tech. Spread over six days in June with international honor.” Naming the street af- engineering schools for 1910, the events—listed in a mint-condition commence- leadership award ter Librescu was the initiative graduate studies, according to ment program recently donated to the university by Dr. Virginia Tech Presi- of former U.S. Ambassador U.S. News & World Report’s James M. (biological sciences ’58) and Marilyn M. Porter- Shashank Sharma dent Charles W. Steger was Nicholas Taubman, who says America’s Best Graduate field—honored 62 VPI graduates listed in the program’s among three recipients of he was profoundly moved Schools 2011 survey, released “Class Roll.” the 2010 Michael P. Malone by the professor’s courage. in April. In all, graduate 3.2-mile Run in Remembrance Porterfield received the program several years ago from a International Leadership Taubman stated: “While he programs in five of Virginia friend who knew he was a Hokie. Porterfield gave it to Bob University marks tragedy’s third Award, sponsored by the was a leader in the school of Tech’s colleges ranked among anniversary in Day of Remembrance Smythers (secondary education ’82), Virginia Tech Founda- Association of Public and engineering at Virginia Tech, the nation’s best in their The third anniversary of April 16, 2007, was com- tion associate director of gift planning, with the understand- Land-grant Universities Professor Liviu Librescu fields, according to the an- memorated by honoring the pursuit of scholarship ing that Smythers would deliver it to the Virginia Tech (APLU). Established in was first and foremost a nual report. Boasting some clearly evident in the lives of those who died. Alumni Association in time for the 2010 commencement 2000, the annual award humanitarian who put the 2,000 graduate students, An open house on the second floor of Norris Hall ceremonies. recognizes individuals lives of his students above his the College of Engineering showcased the Center for Peace Studies and Violence While the May 2010 commencement events looked far who have made significant own. His name will always advanced two spots from the Jennifer Nicole Lamb Prevention, the Liviu Librescu Student Engagement different than their 1910 counterparts, Virginia Tech did ac- contributions to interna- be a blessing and a tribute to 2010 survey, where it was Center, and the Norris Hall Art Gallery, while displays knowledge some fantastic academic achievements this year: University announces tional education at public those who perished on April ranked 27th. It ranked 28th in Newman Library highlighted the academic achieve- • 4,153 bachelor’s degree candidates, with biology being 2010 Undergraduate and land-grant institutions. 16, 2007.” in the 2009 survey. Tying ment of the 32 victims. the most popular among graduating seniors, followed by me- Man, Woman of the The award will be presented the Virginia Tech College A sense of community permeated the Day of chanical engineering; finance; human nutrition, foods, and Year during the summer meeting General Federation of Engineering program for Remembrance, with small groups sharing a moment exercise; and a fifth-place tie between physics and marketing; Shashank Sharma, a of the APLU Commission of Women’s Clubs 2011 were Johns Hopkins of silence in the War Memorial Chapel, thousands • nearly 1,270 students honored at the Graduate Com- senior majoring in biologi- on International Programs, donates ambulance University and The Ohio running and walking in the 3.2-mile Run in Remem- mencement ceremony: 980 master’s degree candidates, three cal sciences in the College of held July 12-14, in Sedona, A two-year fundraising State University. The Tech brance, a community picnic, and the candlelight vigil education specialist degree candidates, 22 Ed.D. candidates, Science, and Jennifer Nicole Ariz. In Steger’s more than drive by the General Federa- college is the highest-ranked on the Drillfield. For more on the day’s events, visit 53 advanced graduate certificate candidates, 213 Ph.D. Lamb, a senior double- 10 years as president of Vir- tion of Women’s Clubs of engineering school in the www.weremember.vt.edu. candidates, and 87 doctor of veterinary medicine degree majoring in agricultural and ginia Tech, five international Virginia culminated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. candidates; applied economics in the centers have been established organization presenting • about 300 National Capital Region graduates; 140 stu- College of Agriculture and around the globe, doubling Virginia Tech’s student-run University celebrates The future starts here dents honored for graduating from the Virginia Tech Corps Life Sciences and political sci- student participation in the rescue squad with a new 3-millionth rider with Impact. of Cadets; and 29 associate’s degree candidates. ence in the College of Liberal university’s study-abroad ambulance. The 2009 E450 It’s what you do well. Arts and Human Sciences, programs. Ford ambulance increases As students unloaded the It’s what Virginia Tech does well. are recipients of Virginia the rescue squad’s fleet to Tom’s Creek bus along the Innovation fosters impact in everything we do. As alumni, Tech’s 2010 Undergraduate Bucharest street four, which will help the Drillfield on the morning of faculty, staff, students, and friends, the entire Virginia Tech Man and Woman of the Year named for hero of organization meet increas- Tuesday, April 27, each stu- community is transforming the lives of those we serve. awards. President Charles W. April 16 tragedy ing demand for its services, dent was handed an envelope. Visit ThisIsTheFuture.com and tell us what you’re doing Steger presented the awards The street in front of the said Matt Johnson, who was Inside one was a special ticket to make your community a better place to live. Share a at the annual Founders Day new U.S. Embassy com- squad captain May 2007 recognizing the recipient as story, or leave a comment. Be as creative or straightforward student recognition banquet pound in Bucharest, Roma- through May 2010. The the honorary 3-millionth as you like. We’ve redesigned the website to be more user- on April 11. The awards are nia, will be named after Vir- ambulance is believed to be Blacksburg Transit rider friendly and hope you’ll share how you’re making an impact. the most prestigious nonaca- ginia Tech Professor Liviu the largest single donation for the year. Stephen Carey The future is being created by all of us, every day. Let’s demic undergraduate awards Librescu, who sacrificed his to the Virginia Tech Rescue claimed the title, receiving 1910 commencement program show the world that Virginia Tech is leading the charge. at Virginia Tech and are given life to save his students on Squad. a $100 gift certificate for – ThisIsTheFuture.com – – continued on page 6

4 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 5 Around the Drillfield Around the Drillfield

Downtown Blacksburg Inc. ecologically important crop and general culture. The grant Virginia Tech history book Programs such as Bike, Bus, for a number of developing pays for Prisley’s travel and published online & Walk have contributed to countries. provides a stipend to cover • Relive the events lead- the successes of Blacksburg living expenses while abroad. ing to the establish- Transit and collectively have ment of Virginia garnered state and national Renovation project Agricultural and recognition. and theatre earn LEED certification Mechanical Col- lege in Blacks- VBI partners to Virginia Tech’s Theatre burg. receive $1.45 million Elizabeth Prisley 101 and the Henderson Hall grant for plant renovation project have been • Read biographi- protection Student receives awarded LEED Gold certi- cal sketches of every Virginia Tech A research collaboration Bonnie Fairbanks Fulbright to teach fication as established by the led by a professor from the in Germany U.S. Green Building Council president, including Virginia Bioinformatics Insti- Student receives Elizabeth Prisley, who (USGBC). Considered the one whose administra- Ji m Stroup tute (VBI) will develop meth- Fulbright to study received her master of arts in industry standard for green tion was so short that he is not ods to protect agriculturally tuberculosis in English in May 2010 from the buildings, LEED (Leadership counted among the university’s top leaders. important crops in developing Africa College of Liberal Arts and in Energy and Environmen- • Find the history of the university’s academic col- Fallen alumnus honored in Pylon countries from devastating Bonnie Fairbanks, a Human Sciences, has been tal Design) certification was leges and schools and the name of every aca- Dedication Ceremony attacks by plant pathogens. doctoral student in biologi- awarded a Fulbright English designed by the USGBC to demic dean since the first four were appointed in In a Pylon Dedication Ceremony on April 9, a A $1.45 million award from cal sciences in the College of teaching assistantship. Prisley encourage the development 1903-04. solemn university community paid its respects to the Basic Research to Enable Science, has been awarded a will teach English to high of more sustainable buildings. • Compare the records of football coaches since E.A. Capt. David Seth Mitchell (English ’01), a U.S. Marine Agricultural Development prestigious Fulbright scholar- school students in the German The Henderson Hall renova- Smyth was appointed the first coach in 1892, and helicopter pilot and cadet alumnus who was killed program sponsored by the ship to pursue her research in state of Hessen beginning in tion and Theatre 101, which discover how women’s basketball has fared since Oct. 26, 2009, in Afghanistan. National Science Foundation Botswana studying tuberculo- September 2010 and end- had its debut performance Ruth Louise Terrett “stirred up an enthusiasm for Mitchell’s name was etched into the Ut Prosim and the Bill & Melinda Gates sis in mongoose populations. ing June 30, 2011. She will in October 2009, achieved basketball,” which spurred women students to pylon, becoming the eighth Virginia Tech graduate Foundation will fund the re- The research may offer insight be teaching American and LEED certification on Feb. 5 form their own team in 1923, two years after the since military operations after Sept. 11 to make the search. VBI and Virginia Tech into the spread of the disease British literature and conversa- for energy use, lighting, water, first full-time female students were admitted. ultimate sacrifice. At the ceremony, President Charles plant pathology, physiology, among humans, according tional skills through discussion and material use, as well as W. Steger compared war veterans of the post-Sept. and weed science Professor to Fairbanks. She will work groups on politics, religion, for incorporating a variety of • Learn about the life of William Addison Caldwell, 11 era to WWII veterans. “I firmly believe these eight Brett Tyler, along with col- with the Centre for Conserva- geography, family life, sports, other sustainable strategies. the first student to register, and the wartime ac- Virginia Tech alumni represent the next ‘Greatest leagues at other universities tion of African Resources: tions that earned the Medal of Honor for seven Generation,’” Steger said. and the U.S. Department of Communities, Animals and Theatre 101 alumni. Days later, the university learned that U.S. Navy Agriculture, will develop new Land Use. Her project, titled The History and Historical Data of Virginia Tech, an Ensign Zachary Eckhart (aerospace engineering ’08) approaches for crop protec- “Behavior and Physiological updated and expanded edition of the Historical Data was killed in the April 12 crash of his training aircraft tion against a broad range of Factors Affecting TB [tuber- Book published in 1972, has been published online in Georgia. A ceremony is being planned for spring diseases caused by fungal and culosis] Infection in Banded and can be seen at www.unirel.vt.edu/history. The on- 2011. fungal-like pathogens. The Mongooses,” will shed light line book was compiled, written, and edited by Clara To see a slideshow of images from Mitchell’s team’s research will target upon the variation in TB inci- B. Cox (English M.A. ’84), expanding on the 1972 ceremony, visit www.vtmagazine.vt.edu. cacao, an economically and dences in banded mongooses. Ji m Stroup book by Jenkins M. Robertson.

For more news about Virginia Tech Student receives Fornash appointed Students help Growers Academy helps Genomes of citrus Professor’s research Stay connected: visit www.vtmagazine.vt.edu, where Steger prize for Virginia deputy town of Floyd farmers, growers break canker pathogens increases awareness Search for Virginia you can read such stories as: poetry director of education reinvent itself new ground decoded of deck safety Tech on YouTube

6 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 7 1 2 ARLINGTON

Beyond Blacksburg 81 ALEXANDRIA Research centers serve state’s diverse agricultural regions HARRISONBURG 4 3 By Lori Greiner CHARLOTTESVILLE 64 5 For more than a century, Virginia Tech’s Agricultural Research and Ex- tension Centers (ARECs) have provided Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and 81 6 students with the unique ability to perform basic and applied research on RICHMOND issues related to the state’s agricultural, seafood, and forestry industries. BLACKSBURG LYNCHBURG ROANOKE In addition to serving Virginia’s needs, the research conducted at ARECs 9 11NORFOLK benefits these industries across the region, the nation, and the world. 12 Twelve ARECs, strategically located across the commonwealth, provide 7 8 10 BRISTOL DANVILLE 85 laboratory space, land, and facilities for research programs that reflect each region’s agricultural diversity. Agricultural Research and Extension Centers The centers were established in part conduct proof-of-concept studies before 1 Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC - WINCHESTER through the creation of the Virginia implementing new ideas and technologies. Field days are held at the agricultural research centers to give producers the 2 MIDDLEBURG Agricultural Experiment Station (VAES). Middleburg AREC - The work of VAES scientists has had a opportunity to learn about research being 3 Shenandoah Valley AREC - STEELES TAVERN In 1886, the Virginia General Assembly significant effect on agricultural and forest conducted at the center and discuss the established the VAES to conduct research products, horticulture, human nutrition projects with faculty and students. 4 Northern Piedmont AREC - ORANGE and development programs on behalf of and food safety, and environmental quality. 5 Eastern Virginia AREC - WARSAW have been farmers. Then, the Hatch Act of 1887 Here are a few examples of recent AREC 6 Eastern Shore AREC - PAINTER instrumental to authorized federal funds for each state successes. 7 Southwest Virginia AREC - GLADE SPRING Virginia produc- to establish an agricultural experiment 8 Increasing profitability ers,” says Dell Cotton, applications. contaminated irrigation water is a major Forestry station in cooperation with the state’s Resources Research Center - CRITZ Researchers at the Tidewater AREC executive secretary of the Entomologists source for diseases of horticulture crops. land-grant institution. To share infor- 9 Southern Piedmont AREC - BLACKSTONE in Suffolk are helping peanut growers are studying the biology Pathogens can spread easily within farms mation developed from research at the Virginia Peanut Growers Association. increase profitability by reducing costs and of the Colorado potato beetle and and from farms to other production facili- 10 Tidewater AREC - SUFFOLK experiment stations, the Smith-Lever Act “Frost advisories give the grower the only improving production efficiency. Peanut wireworms, evaluating current insecticide ties that share the same water source, and 11 Virginia Seafood AREC - HAMPTON of 1914 created the Cooperative Exten- tool available to possibly avoid the effects diseases, such as sclerotinia blight and products, and determining environmen- crop losses due to waterborne pathogens 12 Hampton Roads AREC - VIRGINIA BEACH sion Service. The first research center in of a frost, which can greatly diminish the cylindrocladium black rot, and the costs value of a peanut. Other advisories help tally and user-friendly alternatives. With can be significant. For example, a mal- Virginia was established in Appomattox of fungicides to control them are chronic lower spraying costs because the grower funding from the U.S. Department of functioning chlorine injector cost one in 1906 to conduct research on dark fire- problems threatening the sustainability of only sprays when the conditions [are Agriculture and the Virginia Irish Potato Eastern Virginia nursery approximately preventing cross contamination, washing cured tobacco and other crops. peanut production. Researchers conducted right]. This lowers costs tremendously.” Board, field research studies have been $143,000 during a three-week period hands properly, controlling food allergens, Today, the research projects and activi- field trials to evaluate new approaches for conducted using new pesticides that when plants were lost to root rot caused and maintaining clean equipment and ties of VAES encompass the work of ap- improving the efficiency and profitability Improving management reduce the health risk to consumers, by a waterborne pathogen. By following utensils. The well-received materials have proximately 340 scientists and specialists of peanut disease control. With support practices applicators, and the environment. The col- the chlorination schedules designed by the resulted in better understanding, applying, in four Tech colleges: agriculture and life from the Virginia Peanut Board, research- At the Eastern Shore AREC in Paint- lected data have helped to register many Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia facilities and monitoring of sanitation procedures. sciences, natural resources and environ- ers issued daily weather-based advisories er, scientists are looking at ways to help of these new improved insecticides for use are minimizing losses in a big way. According to some seafood companies, ment, liberal arts and human sciences, and for fumigating soil and planting and frost vegetable growers improve management on potatoes grown throughout the United these materials have helped them comply veterinary medicine. In 2009, the National advisories for avoiding freeze damage at practices on a variety of crops. Virginia is a States, and virtually all of the major potato Providing research-based with regulations while also keeping their Science Foundation ranked Virginia harvest. The advisories reduced fungicide major producer of summer potatoes, and producers on Virginia’s Eastern Shore information products safe and wholesome. Tech fifth in the country for agricultural sprays used to control early leaf spot by pest management is critical to successful have utilized some of the products. One of the most critical issues con- Reflecting the principle of outreach research expenditures, much of which an average of three to four applications crop production; without effective control, Researchers at the Hampton Roads fronting seafood processors in Virginia is across the commonwealth and beyond, originated through VAES. per farmer, saving $642,000 in produc- crop losses would exceed 50 percent AREC in Virginia Beach have devel- employee training, and the predominant Virginia Tech’s ARECs are valuable Although faculty members use facili- tion costs across 12,000 acres planted in annually in most Virginia potato fields. oped a water-treatment method that has language spoken by many employees is industry allies. ties at Tech’s main campus in Blacksburg Virginia while also reducing the potential Plant pathologists monitor a network of provided immediate economic benefits Spanish. Faculty members at the Virginia To learn more about the centers, visit for much of their work, the ARECs offer for environmental contamination. weather stations on the Eastern Shore for growers, with every major plant- Seafood AREC have developed multilin- www.vaes.vt.edu/arecs/index.html. the opportunity to expand laboratory re- “The various advisories developed and that forecast the chances of late blight, production facility in the state using the gual training materials for seafood compa- Lori Greiner is the College of Agriculture sults into field-scale investigations and to implemented at the Tidewater AREC enabling growers to make timely fungicide chlorination protocol. Without treatment, nies that address food safety topics, such as and Life Sciences communications manager.

8 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech MagazineVirginia TechSummer Magazine 2010 9 Hereditary By Chelsea Newman ’10 For Pat (Echols) Saunders (interior Saunders’ father would buy her mother with plans for more: Pat Saunders hopes design ’87) the allure of Tech was its a mum corsage from a vendor on the that her daughter, Annie, a high school small-town, yet global, atmosphere. “I corner. sophomore, will fall in love with Virginia applied to only two schools, Virginia Virginia Tech may inspire the roman- Tech, too. Hokies Tech and Radford,” says Saunders, and tic in all of us. Saunders met her husband, The lineage of the Craun family, 33 when she got into both, she headed to Robert, at Tech, and the union of the two Hokies deep, shows a focus on agri- It’s no wonder that Hokie Spirit is sprinkled across the blood lines of many Blacksburg. She fell in love with Tech families created one of the largest Hokie culture, including dairy science, animal Hokie families, with 20 percent of Virginia Tech’s current students considered as a child, when her parents would buy families around. Robert Saunders’ six science, and poultry science. “Many of legacies. When Hokie charm hooks a family, the results passed down from football tickets and make game days into brothers joined him at Tech, and all six us Crauns own and operate dairy farms, generation to generation can be impressive. The Echols-Saunders clan claims a vacation. “We would walk over to the Echols sisters are Hokies as well. Vari- beef farms, or are involved in the agricul- 35 Hokies and the Craun family boasts 33 Hokies, to name just two. But it’s bookstore, get a T-shirt or some kind ous marriages, daughters, sons, nieces, tural economics field,” says Linda Leech more than just following in mom’s and dad’s footsteps; Virginia Tech and its of Tech memorabilia, then walk to the nephews, and distant cousins factor into (dairy science ’78). “We are so fortunate environs have charmed people for generations. football game.” At Homecoming games, the 35-count Echols-Saunders family, that Virginia Tech has a nationally

Photos of the Echols-Saunders family are surrounded by memorabilia from the family and the Holtzman Alumni Center’s Alumni Museum. Ji m Stroup

10 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 11 The Tokarz brothers, all Hokie Nolen (finance ’78) at freshman orienta- alumni, recently celebrated tion. He said in a 2006 Virginia Tech the 95th birthday of John, the eldest, seated at lower right. Magazine story that in addition to their Go to www.vtmagazine.vt.edu two children, “18 other members of our Go to to see photos from the party family have attended Virginia Tech.” www.vtmagazine.vt.edu with their extended family. If you’re not one of the nine Hokies to upload photos of C ourte s y of the T okarz fa m i l across three generations in the Venerable your Hokie family, and family, they’ll dress you up like one. In family photos, the children in the family share your family with Ji m Stroup hold maroon and orange pom-poms. To the Hokie Nation! recognized dairy science department that Chad Craun (dairy science ’07) returned stories—to tell. The Bugas family may the Quick family’s 19 Hokies, dress- encourages its students to achieve their to Blacksburg on June 5, 2010, to marry have the largest number of current ing up half Hokie and half Cavalier is potential.” The family often encounters Samantha Davis (dairy science ’09) at Hokies, with six first cousins all attending a crime. When William Austin Quick other Hokies in their profession and, Smithfield Plantation. Tech. The Howes, who sign cards “Happy (dairy science ’39), saw his granddaughter thus, realizes the true reach of the Hokie Virginia Tech also strengthens family Holidays from the Hokie Howes,” have Jill in a Tech sweatshirt and U.Va. sweat A special thanks to those who submitted Nation. ties, as shown by Brendan McDon- seven graduates and can trace their Hokie pants, he was shocked—“He sure knew their Hokie families! lineage back to Richard David Maben, Hokie Spirit runs strong in the ald (political science ’04) and Cindy he wasn’t a U.Va. fan!” says his daughter, Craun family. Sidney Grove (dairy sci- Comisky (psychology ’06), two cousins who was a freshman in 1875. Donna Quick Courtney. (35)* Pat Saunders (8) Robert Thomson (33) Linda Leech (8) Edward “Ned” Carter Turner Jr. ence ’66), Linda’s cousin, often returns to from a 12-graduate Hokie family. When The Watsons—with 10 Hokies and The Jackson family, with 11 Hokies, “walk the same grounds and paths that Comisky entered Tech as a freshman, a lineage that includes the late William (19) Donna Quick Courtney (8) Teresa Weisenburger prides itself on a combination of Ameri- (18) John R. Wilkins Jr. (7) Bruce Chestnutt bring back so many memories from the she became best friends with her cousin, E. Skelton, a former dean and namesake can and international students attending (17) Amy A. Vaughan (7) Douglas C. Curling early 1960s,” he says. “I often go with a McDonald, who was a junior. Comisky of two centers at Virginia Tech—found Tech. George C. Jackson (horticulture (17) Michael E. Snyder (7) Jennie Stokes Howe classmate, and we seem to always relive is thankful for her experience at Virginia themselves in a pinch when one of their M.S. ’59) was granted leave from the (16) Linda Thomasson (7) Bart Warner (15) Gretchen Quant (6) Betty Pendleton the same stories and return to the same Tech, which became a surprising family sons got married during a home game University of Puerto Rico to pursue a places.” When Tech is not inspiring a reunion. against Miami. The minister graciously (15) Jeff Sweeney (6) Anne Cabell master’s degree in horticulture at Tech, (14) Annie Roller (6) Carolyn Kramer love for the beauty of Blacksburg, it is Hokie family trees come in all sizes, provided the current score–14-0–during and he brought his family with him. (13) Elaine Griffin (6) Michelle Vance often inspiring a love for fellow Hokies. and each has a story—or any number of the ceremony. His eldest daughter, Zulma, studied at (12) William Armstrong (5) Rena Johnson During most any game, it can be as- Tech as a transfer student from Puerto (12) John Hovell (5) Bruce Kirk sumed that J.W. Thomasson (agricultural Rico. While in Blacksburg, she met her (12) Cindy Comisky (5) Brenda Logan (12) Hugh David Scott (5) Valerie Ore education ’64) and his wife, Linda, cheer husband, Robert Keynton, and their on the maroon and orange in their “VT (11) George C. Jackson (5) Lisa Preskitt three children later attended Virginia (11) Theresa P. Price (5) Rose Mary Alexander Room,” a room in their home with “noth- Tech. When Jackson returned to Puerto (10) William E. Watson (4) Patricia Brown ing but VT stuff in it.” Rico, his younger daughters went with (10) C. Todd Bower (4) Gray Coyner George Nolen (marketing ’78), a him. His daughter Emilse returned to (10) Lorrie Cooper (4) Mayer Levy (10) James N. Wright (4) Frank Miller member of the Virginia Tech Board of Virginia, married, and had four children, Visitors, met his wife, Michele Carpenter (9) Susan Lamore (4) Laura Roberson three of whom are Hokies. His daughter (9) David Brown (4) Keith E. Sturgill Maritere lives in Puerto Rico, but the (9) Michelle Gibson (3) Tom Ficklin Hokie blood still runs strong. Maritere’s (9) Helen E. Meeks Mitchell (3) Walter Gray Family members gathered on campus daughter, Marilse, attended Tech as an (9) Becky O’Connor (3) Carol Landaiche for the June 5 wedding of Chad Craun exchange student from the University of (9) Laura Stemann Crotteau (3) Crystal Morgan and Samantha Davis. (9) Laura Venerable (3) Ed Pittman Ji m Stroup Puerto Rico. (8) Aron Johnson (3) Audrey Woo Is it genetic, or is there something in (8) Paul Bugas (2) Tom Kingsley the Blacksburg water? Whatever the case, (8) Ashley Jones (2) William Stepp once someone in the family catches the (8) John Miller * Represents the number of contagious Hokie fever, it tends to spread (8) Deborah L. Powers (8) Sara Tatum Hokies per submitted family. quickly, as each new generation is drawn to the charm of Virginia Tech.

12 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 13 Saving the

Restoring the Chesapeake future Bay By Denise Young

Virginia overflows with historical sites, from the pioneering inventiveness of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to the catchy bluegrass music of Southwest Virginia’s Crooked Road. But for many, the commonwealth’s greatest asset is the natural bounty and beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. President Barack Obama reaffirmed the importance of this environmental asset when, in 2009, he signed an executive order declaring the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure and directing federal agencies to coordinate and accelerate the restoration process. Obama’s order is an attempt to bring the state and federal governments into compliance with the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Setting the mark bay watershed states are setting Total committee that is devoted to helping the As the bay’s brackish water glints Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that Virginia Department of Environmental sharply in sunlight, a wealth of trouble define how much of a given pollutant Quality (DEQ) establish water-quality lies beneath the surface: eutrophica- the bay can tolerate—what the EPA standards for Virginia. The committee’s tion, which involves an overabundance calls a “pollution diet” for the bay. With goal is to analyze the data collected by of nutrients and sediments that degrade the advent of TMDLs, officials hope to the DEQ to help the agency set nutri- water quality and clarity and create algae reduce nutrient and sediment pollution ent standards for Virginia’s streams and blooms, depleting the oxygen necessary through a combination of regulatory rivers by 2011. While standards for other for a thriving aquatic life scene. and voluntary measures, keeping those pollutants, such as bacteria, are already The Chesapeake Bay watershed nutrients out of the waterways before in place, no such benchmark exists for stretches through parts of six states and they enter the bay. nutrients. These standards will greatly the District of Columbia (see map). Most A number of Virginia Tech research- improve the health of the Chesapeake pollution doesn’t begin on the Eastern ers are playing vital roles in this process. Bay. Shore or the Coastal Plain bordering the Saied Mostaghimi, associate dean for bay, but rather originates inland. research and graduate studies in the Though the Chesapeake Bay Initia- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Chesapeake tive began in the 1980s, the restoration and the H.E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Bay watershed has been a long, slow process. Despite professor in the Department of Biologi- NEW YORK cooperation among the states in the cal Systems Engineering, serves on the watershed, the program is far from executive board of the Scientific and

N . K aye meeting its bay-restoration goals. In the Technical Advisory Committee (STAC)

Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, the states for the Chesapeake Bay Program. PENNSYLVANIA banded together to lower pollution in the The committee provides scientific and

bay and improve water quality. By 2008, technical guidance to the Chesapeake NJ

however, they had met only 21 percent of Bay Program on measures to restore and MARYLAND

those goals, according to the Chesapeake protect the bay. DE C he s apeake Bay foundation D.C. Bay Program’s website. In a related area, Tamim Younos, as- WEST VIRGINIA That’s where Obama’s mandate enters sociate director of Virginia Tech’s Water CHESAPEAKE BAY the scene. For the first time, the Environ- Resources Research Center (WRRC), VIRGINIA mental Protection Agency (EPA) and leads a multi-institute academic advisory

14 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 15 world has benefited from LAL, which is grandchildren walk down the shores of used to detect endotoxins in vaccines and the bay.” implantable medical devices. The crabs It’s not just the horseshoe crab that don’t rely on antibodies to fight illnesses; makes the bay a natural gem worth pre- instead they have broad-spectrum resis- serving. The bay is famous for soft-shell tance to bacteria. “Horseshoe crabs have crabs and oysters that many treasure as been around for 200 million years, so delicacies, and game fish, such as striped they’ve seen everything,” says Hallerman. bass and bluefish, often lure anglers to its Garnett Me ll en “LAL can see the widest range of bacteria deeper waters. “There are a huge number of any chemical that we know.” Though of fish and oysters that are affected in dif- other types of crabs are harvested in ferent ways by pollution,” says Pease. Tangier Island, nestled in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay. N. Kaye other parts of the world for LAL, the What makes the bay and its water- horseshoe crab is the most prized for this shed so important, Pease adds, isn’t just Virginia master naturalists teach the “There’s no easy solution,” says proper amount of lawn fertilizer. control. Reijo is using GIS to evaluate use. that it is a water source, but the “eco- public about rain barrels and rain gar- Younos, “but our job as a university is to Other solutions are technology- topographic influences on the riparian Hallerman has devoted most of his system services” that water provides to dens; planting riparian buffers; and come up with a science-based solution based, such as the work of Jactone Ogejo, zones’ nutrient removal throughout the research to monitoring and conserving people across the watershed, from fishing bayscaping, a form of landscaping. that’s also practical and cost-effective.” an assistant professor in the Department entire bay watershed. By determining the the horseshoe crab population. For these and canoeing to witnessing wildlife and The EPA has already promoted the of Biological Systems Engineering, whose places in the landscape where riparian crabs, the biggest danger comes from hiking near streams and rivers. “Those “When people don’t get to be outdoors use of five cost-effective measures to research focuses on nutrient recovery, buffers are most effective, the research overfishing. People have been harvest- things are generated by land uses we and see the natural resources and wild- reduce human effects on the bay: waste- finding ways to concentrate excess will help officials select the best places to ing horseshoe crabs for centuries. They want to preserve as a society.” life that we have in the bay watershed, water treatment upgrades, diet and feed nitrogen and recover phosphorous from concentrate their energy and resources. served as a food source for Native Ameri- “Everyone is a stakeholder when it they don’t feel as inclined to participate adjustments for livestock, cover crops to manure. “Manure has more phosphorous “We’re trying to use natural means to cans and were used by European settlers comes to water,” notes Younos. in conservation efforts,” she says. prevent soil erosion in winter, conserva- and nitrogen than the crops can use,” says fix these problems,” says Kevin McGuire, as fertilizer well into the 20th century. Michelle Prysby, coordinator of the Buoyed by the hard work of Vir- tion tillage to minimize soil disturbance, Ogejo. “One of the ways of looking at the a research assistant professor for the In 1999, the government placed Virginia Master Naturalist Program, ginia Tech faculty members and others riparian buffers, and traditional and continued use of manure as a fertilizer WRRC, who also serves as Reijo’s advi- restrictions on the number of crabs that has seen firsthand the value of engaging from all levels of government, from enhanced nutrient-management plans. In is to make ‘designer’ manure in which sor on the project. could be harvested, especially female citizens in both stewardship and hands- local to federal, restoration is still a slow place since 1985, these and other restora- the nitrogen and phosphorus is made crabs, in hopes of rebuilding the popula- on education. With 850 active volunteers, process—and it can take decades before tion efforts have reduced human impacts available according to the need of crops. Unlikely treasures tion. Hallerman says the numbers are the program consists of educational water quality improves. “We have to get on the bay, but not nearly enough, says The phosphorus recovered or removed in Just as rainforests may hold undis- creeping up. “I want these populations projects, citizen science projects such as down to the individual and local level,” Jim Pease, a professor in the Department the process can be transported for use in covered sources for treating disease and to rebuild. … I want there to be abun- surveys and monitoring, and stewardship. says Pease. “The question has to be there of Agricultural and Applied Economics. locations that have phosphorus deficits.” improving the human condition, the dant horseshoe crabs Master naturalists teach the public every time, ‘What is going to be the Pease is also a member of STAC and of While many changes and technolo- Chesapeake is home to a critter that when my great- about rain barrels and rain gardens; impact of [this action] on the bay?’” multi-state Extension groups working to gies target the individual or local level, proves invaluable to our everyday lives: planting riparian buffers; and bay- From the small scale to the big provide education on cost-effective pollu- other research takes more of a large-scale the horseshoe crab. scaping, a form of landscaping in picture, experts at Virginia Tech are tion controls. approach. Courtney Reijo, a graduate “They’re really critical to the near- which landowners plant native helping to ask those questions, to One of the biggest detriments to student working on her master of sci- shore ecosystem,” says Eric Hallerman, plants instead of traditional restore and preserve a national treasure bay health is population growth, which ence in forestry, is doing research using professor and head of the Department lawns, thereby using less water that belongs to everyone. results in an increased need for food Geographic Information Systems (GIS) of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences and and fertilizer. They also lead To read other articles about how production and for land development, to determine the most effective places to director of the Horseshoe Crab Resource excursions for youth as part of the Virginia Tech faculty and staff are work- which inflates the volume of wastewater locate riparian buffers, areas of trees or Center. Aside from playing an important Meaningful Watershed Educa- ing to restore the Chesapeake Bay, visit and lawn fertilizer runoff. other vegetation planted next to streams role in the food web by serving as prey tional Experience (MWEE) program. the online version of this article at www. Some solutions are relatively small and creeks that prevent soil erosion and for fish and birds, particularly in the early “Research shows that engaging students vtmagazine.vt.edu. and site-specific, such as fencing to keep act as natural filters of nutrients. life stages, the horseshoe crab is vitally in these field experiences makes them Those interested in the Virginia cattle out of streams, preventing erosion These buffers perform many eco- important to humans as well. Their Horseshoe crabs are the more likely to act to protect the bay in Master Naturalist Program should visit primary source of LAL, a of stream banks while keeping waste system functions, says Reijo, including blood contains limulus amebocyte lysate, chemical used to detect the future,” says Prysby. www.virginiamasternaturalist.org to from going directly into the waterways, sediment reduction, nutrient removal, a chemical commonly known as LAL. endotoxins in vaccines and She adds that these experiences are learn more or to enroll in a basic training or teaching landowners how to apply the wildlife habitats, and stream temperature Almost every person in the developed implantable devices. important for both youth and adults. class.

16 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 17 D.C. Wolfe: Musician, engineer, photographer by clara B. cox M.A. ’84

During four years at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (popularly called VPI, today’s Virginia Tech), DeWitt Clinton “D.C.” Wolfe Jr. of Big Stone Gap, Va., a civil engineer- ing major, kept his camera close at hand. Wolfe compiled his photos and memora- bilia into two photo albums that give us a glimpse of life on campus in the World War I era.

The Southwest Virginian and 1921 gradu- ate moved through the ranks in the corps of cadets, from a private during his fresh- man year to band captain his senior year. The 1921 yearbook, The Bugle, praised 1. 8. his efforts: “Although ‘D.C.’ rules the band 2. with an iron hand, his absolute fairness and impartiality to all have won for him many friends.” 1. One of the newest buildings on the entrance to all student athletic events and other passengers to and from the 7. Following the first significant college campus near the end of World that were held on Miles Field (today’s main depot in Christiansburg for just over snowfall each winter, the corps Three years after graduating, Wolfe mar- War I was the first McBryde Hall (build- Drillfield) or in the Field House. half a century, beginning in 1904. Tracks divided into two groups, and each ried Ruth Mildred Irvin, and the couple ing with tower, left center), completed in for the Blacksburg spur were removed in group lined up on Miles Field (to- had one son. By 1929, he was living in 1917. To the left of McBryde is Faculty 3. Wolfe played a cornet in the Regi- 1965. Today, the Huckleberry Trail marks day’s Drillfield) for the annual snow Jefferson City, Mo., working as an assis- Row, and in front of it is the Administra- mental Band, which was not called the its path. battle. When the bugler sounded tant bridge engineer for the state highway tion Building. Just to the right of McBryde Highty-Tighties until a somewhat crude “Charge,” the opposing lines department. Not long afterward, he was is the YMCA Building, followed by several company yell, which contained the catch 5. Corps freshmen, known as “rats,” rushed each other and tried to rub lured away by Sverdrup and Parcel Corpora- barracks. The buildings in the foreground phrase “Highty-Tightie!” was composed marched through downtown Blacksburg snow into their opponents’ faces. tion, a civil engineering firm that focused are agricultural education buildings with in 1919. As the band used the yell, other each fall in costumes designed and applied Following the battle, freshman on bridge design, becoming a partner in a faculty residence to their right. Just to members of the corps began applying by sophomores. The Rat Parades attracted cadets made a run for the barracks the firm in 1936. Wolfe, who had moved the right and above the residence is the the phrase to the band. Wolfe is the third spectators from throughout the area. amid a hail of snowballs thrown by to Atherton, Calif., probably to manage a Field House, and to the right and above it cadet from the left. upperclassmen. branch office, retired in 1966. He died in is the Chapel, which, when the photo was 6. Pole-vaulting, part of the college’s 1991 at the age of 92. taken, was used as a library. 4. The Blacksburg depot, this one track meets, was set up on Miles Field 8. openly ran constructed in 1912, served as the (today’s Drillfield) just inside an oval track through the southern section of To see a slideshow of selected photo- 2. D.C. Wolfe’s 1918-19 Athletic Associa- departure and arrival destination for the that ran around the perimeter of Miles Miles Field (today’s Drillfield) until it graphs, go to www.vtmagazine.vt.edu. tion card, which cost $10, allowed him Huckleberry train, which carried cadets Field (today’s Drillfield). was covered by a conduit in 1934. 7.

3. 4. 5. 6.

Wolfe

18 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 19 Jim Stroup

By Steven Mackay

In October 2003, Virginia Tech crashed the supercomputer market with a machine that put Blacksburg on the map of technology powerhouses. Known as System X—pronounced “ten,” the Roman numeral, reflecting the goal of achieving 10 teraflops, or 10 trillion operations per second—the supercomputer landed Virginia Tech among the most powerful computational research facilities in the world.

As a production supercomputer, X certainly changed how research is done at Virginia Tech. Researchers no longer have to wait months or a year for govern- ment supercomputers to complete research. With X, the wait time is nearly nil, and the payoff is huge. Scientists in Blacksburg and from around the world have used X to crack riddles of the blood system that have befuddled researchers for decades; discover previously unknown attributes of DNA, the basic building block of all life; and helped find missing genes that could lead to improved medicines. “System X is a unique and powerful resource that enables a very broad range of research,” says Mark Paul, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech who conducts research with X and serves on the committee that selects the supercomputer’s projects. “It plays a pivotal role in our ability to explore open challenges in computational science and engineering.” Beyond engineering, X is serving faculty members across campus, such as geosciences and other departments in the College of System X put the university on the Science. On average, $20 million of the supercomputer map and helped push research money that flows into Virginia Tech annually is tied to research sup- groundbreaking research at Virginia Tech. ported by System X, says Kevin Shinpaugh, director of Virginia Wu Feng, an associate professor with the computer science and the electrical and computer engineering departments, recently used System X for a massive study to identify genes previously missed by scientists. 20 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 21

Rodolfo Clix assembly and testing was painstaking. ing, Storage and Analysis. Feng continues Computer cousins “We were racing against time to research into that field, having recently System G sits behind two submit the benchmark timing results participated in a massive study with the large, blank wooden doors in in time for the fall 2003 release of the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute that a building in Virginia Tech’s TOP500 list. And we were dealing with used X and six smaller supercomputers to Corporate Research Center. leading-edge technology—both hardware locate genes in the genomes of microbes It has no visible signage and software. So the system was not very that were previously missed by gene anno- that brags of its name, mass stable at first,” says Cal Ribbens, associate tation programs created by scientists. Us- computing power, technical professor of computer science and one ing computational software developed by creativity, or computer sci- of many original masterminds behind X, Feng called mpiBLAST, researchers were ence ingenuity. along with Erv Blythe, vice president for able to compact work that would take a But it should.

information technology; Hassan Aref, sole PC 90 years to complete into half a

Stroup m Ji G is comprised of 325 then dean of the College of Engineer- day. The vast amount of work and newly Mac Pro computers, each ing; and Glenda Scales, associate dean of found genes could be used to create cut- with two 4-core, 2.8-giga- information technology for the college; ting edge antibiotics and vaccines against hertz Intel Xeon processors and others. evolving diseases such as HIV or even the and eight gigabytes of ran- The intensive work paid off. In fall flu, according to researchers. dom access memory, crank- 2003, X landed at No. 3 on the TOP500, Alexey Onufriev, associate professor ing out 22.8 teraflops (trillion an international tabulation that has in the departments of computer science in operations per second) of benchmarked the world’s top high-per- the College of Engineering and of physics computing power, compared formance computing systems since 1993. in the College of Science, was one of X’s to System X with its 1,100 The machine achieved a sustained rate of earliest users and remains a strong advo- Srinidhi Varadarajan, the architect of System X, has seen the supercomputer assist countless research projects. Apple PowerMac G5s, boast- 10.28 teraflops on the standard TOP500 cate. He used X to crack a decades-old ing 12.25 teraflops. “It’s Tech’s Research & Cluster Computing us recruit faculty in the departments of Blacksburg, in an office building at the benchmark calculation, ranking it behind riddle that befuddled scientists: tracking twice as powerful, a third the Center and one of X’s original architects. engineering science and mechanics, and university’s Corporate Research Center, only supercomputers in Japan and at the the routes oxygen uses as it moves in and size, and uses a third of the During the 2009-10 academic year, mechanical engineering. Faculty whose was X, a vastly high-tech supercomputer Los Alamos National Laboratory, both out of myoglobin, the oxygen-binding power,” says Kirk W. Cam- related funding bumped up to roughly research relies on modeling of large-scale just assembled by Virginia Tech faculty, of which cost more than 10 times as protein found in the muscle tissue that eron, associate professor of $25 million. systems need access to high-performance staff, and students, comprising 1,100 much as System X. With a 2004 update, has been the guinea pig of molecular sci- computer science in the Col- X solves problems dramatically computing facilities.” Apple PowerMac G5 computers right off System X began running at a sustained ence for the past 50 years. It is the protein lege of Engineering. faster than it would take humans to plow Not bad for a supercomputer that is the assembly line. It was rumored to rank rate of 12.25 teraflops, with a peak speed that gives fresh meat its nice red color in Unlike System X, System through on pen and paper or an isolated 7 years old and had a start-up price tag of among the largest supercomputers in the of 20.24 teraflops. “We had the fastest your local supermarket, and principles G is not a production super- personal computer. It is the launching just $5.2 million. world. supercomputer machine in academia,” that govern its function often are appli- computer for conducting pad pushing Tech’s scientific and techno- The New York Times and scores of says Varadarajan. cable to other, more complex proteins. super-fast research. The logical leadership into the stratosphere. Great expectations industry publications already were pub- In separate work, Onufriev used X to $1.2 million machine was It also is a brain magnet for Virginia The hype surrounding System X lishing stories, building up anticipation Finding genes and explore the full range of motions of a long built to develop new high- Tech, attracting researchers who want to was reaching a crescendo seven years ago as if X were a summer blockbuster film. solving unknown puzzles DNA strand—long enough to form the performance software tools work for a U.S. university that has the when Virginia Tech’s Srinidhi Varada- Varadarajan, now associate professor of Wu Feng, an associate professor fundamental unit of DNA packed in a and applications with para- means to assemble such a massive beast rajan presented the keynote address at computer science and director of Virginia with Virginia Tech’s computer science single living cell, the nucleosome. The com- mount efficiency, in environ- of technology. In turn, these researchers the O’Reilly Mac OS X Conference, a Tech’s Center for High-End Computing and electrical and computer engineering puter simulation, using only 10 percent of mentally friendly fashion. have brought more grants, prestige, and hotbed annual gathering in Santa Clara, Systems, was not expecting this atten- departments, has used X on numerous X’s total heft, scuttled the long-held belief Hence the “G” for green. headlines to the university. “System X has Calif., of the world’s leading information tion. The supercomputer was not even occasions. A 2005 study, just prior to his that DNA is a rigid building block of life, “We wanted to try and find been a draw for faculty hiring in many ar- technology researchers. The room was fully operational at the time of his talk, arrival at Virginia Tech, involved Feng like a Lincoln Log. Instead, the computa- the most efficient way to use eas of the College of Engineering for sev- packed. Everyone wanted to know about and it was unknown whether the system and several other researchers focusing on tional experiment showed DNA is much computers,” says Cameron. eral years,” says Don Leo, associate dean System X. would work in its entirety. The System X parallel genomic sequencing. The findings more flexible than previously thought, Read more about System of research and graduate studies in the Varadarajan, then-assistant profes- team had ordered crates of G5s on an act resulted in a best paper nomination at Onufriev says. These findings may go a G online at www.vtmagazine. college. “Computer science, of course, is a sor of computer science in the Col- of blind faith, well before the G5 hit the the 2006 International Conference on long way in helping scientists track the vt.edu. major benefactor, but X also has helped lege of Engineering, delivered. Back in market. The near month-long process of High-Performance Computing Network- molecular makeup of human beings.

22 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 23 Philanthropy

Cal Ribbens, associate professor of computer science and one of the many original masterminds behind X Ut Prosim Society members X’s future Supercomputer years make dog years celebrate 25 years of exceptional look easy. Built in 2003, System X is

by Albert Raboteau

Stroup m Ji ancient for its species. Among typical PCs, support for Virginia Tech every 18 months computer processors can run twice as fast for roughly the same cost. For supercomputers the process is Like many passionate Virginia more drastic: performance increases by 50 Tech football fans, Doug Naren Ramakrishnan is a professor The fast track percent every six months. of computer science whose research has With a committee of just three “We are looking for a successor,” says and Nina Trott traveled focused on data mining—the science of members—Ribbens; Paul; and Daniel Varadarajan. But the process may be to Blacksburg, Va., the last processing massive quantities of data to Crawford, professor of chemistry in grueling. Including upgrades, X has cost weekend in April this year. discover patterns and to produce new the College of Science—approval time $6.5 million. A supercomputer now, to be insights. X is vital to this work. In 2008, for using System X for a project is one competitive, would cost upward of $30 Ramakrishnan and a colleague from India or two days; and once an allocation of million to build and would need to run used X to catalogue templates of possible System X time is made, researchers on 1,000 times faster at peak power. As of The Trotts “switches” within a living human cell. To a given project can submit jobs to the publication, the No. 1 computer on the illustrate, imagine a massively large dis- machine with virtually no waiting time TOP500 list is the “Jaguar,” peaking at But this time it was not just the sembled puzzle. at all. Requests to use supercomputer 2,331 teraflops. Hokies’ spring game that drew them back “The ‘pieces’ are chemical reactions, resources at other installations can take X and other supercomputers, now to their alma mater. The Trotts came to and we used System X to try out different anywhere from three months to a year, and in the future, will be vital tools for be inducted into the Ut Prosim Society, ways to put together these reactions to says Varadarajan, and jobs often sit in a researchers such as Feng, Onufriev and a select group of the university’s most form a biochemical switch,” says Ramak- queue waiting to run for hours or days. Ramakrishnan. But they still are tools. generous donors. rishnan. “It’s actually a little bit more The committee reviews 25-30 projects a They need cutting-edge users to ask the The Trotts—who run Capital Pen- complicated because some of the pieces year, declining only a handful of projects important questions. sion Services Inc. in their hometown of can be used multiple times in completing that don’t justify the supercomputer’s

“A supercomputer is a fast tool. It Woodbridge, Va.—are two of the more

ick m ccor m ohn the jigsaw, some pieces need not be used, resources, Ribbens says. j won’t lead to discoveries, but it can help than 100 people who joined the society and each piece has many orientations. So Virginia Tech researchers, including scientists and researchers discover things this year. there are millions of possible combina- Onufriev, appreciate this fast track. “I faster,” says Feng. “One important thing to They and other new members were tions, which is why we need a supercom- could have applied for time at national remember is a supercomputer is only as honored at a gathering at the Inn at Doug and Nina Trott puter to sift through all of them.” supercomputer centers. Problem is, the smart as its users. It does what it is told. Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Paul, the associate professor of applications take a while, and then you That’s it.” Center that also included a celebration of Nina Trott (management ’78) says Virginia Tech “just felt like home” from the first mechanical engineering, also conducts have to stand in a queue to run your X is by no means ready for retirement. the group’s 25th year. time she visited campus. She met her husband, Doug (finance ’78), while in college. research under the flag of the College of jobs,” he says. “With the myoglobin In the hands of Virginia Tech’s world-class Their two sons are alumni. Each of the Trotts also has a sibling who graduated from Science’s physics department, where he project, it was really important to quickly researchers, the supercomputer will con- the university. has used System X to conduct large- test out many factors, so the on-demand tinue to pave the way for groundbreaking Given those family ties, the Trotts say it’s natural to want to donate and help the scale computational simulations to access to fairly large chunks of X was research that will change the world. university continue to excel. But that’s not the only reason they give, Nina Trott says. better understand the chaotic dynamics important. I would have given up on the “There are very few places where you can put your money where you know it will of the atmosphere and oceans. “We are project if I did not have access to X, sim- To read about the launch of System be handled well,” she says. “We have faith in the leadership of Virginia Tech that they exploring fundamental aspects of the ply because it would have taken me years X, see the Winter 2004 Virginia Tech will use our gifts in the best way that advances the university’s goals.” chaotic dynamics that result when large to do this work with ordinary computing Magazine story at http://www.vtmagazine. Like many members of the Ut Prosim Society, the Trotts have supported a wide systems are driven far from equilibrium,” power.” vt.edu/winter04/index.html. range of programs. In their case, that includes the business college they attended; the he says. “Examples include the weather Multiple experiments and research Steven Mackay is the communications College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences that educated their sons; the Depart- and climate, the convection of biological projects can be handled simultaneously coordinator for the College of Engineering. ment of Athletics; and the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, headed by James I. organisms in the oceans, the efficiency on X, as it is rare for any one project Lynn Nystrom, director of news and external Robertson, the university’s famous Civil War historian. of combustion and chemical reactions in to consume the full blast of X’s regular relations for the college, contributed to this “We both took Dr. Robertson’s class [on the Civil War], and anyone who’s ever complex flow fields, and fluid turbulence.” 12.25-teraflop computing power. article. been in that class will tell you it’s great,” Doug Trott says.

24 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 25 Philanthropy Philanthropy

Thanking those who give The Ut Prosim Society was established in 1986 as a way Zimmer Gunsul Frasca to recognize exceptionally generous supporters like the Trotts. Architects’ design for the Donors and their spouses are invited to join after reaching Signature Engineering Building $100,000 in lifetime giving to the university. Within the society, echoes the neo-Gothic look membership levels honor those who reach $250,000, $500,000, familiar on campus but also and $1 million in contributions. has many contemporary The society began with 230 members and today has 1,907. touches, including large Including members who have passed away, 2,238 people have amounts of glass to allow for belonged to the society. As a whole, society members have given natural light. Visit www.eng. or pledged nearly $1.5 billion to Virginia Tech. vt.edu/signaturebuilding for In recent years, Ut Prosim Society members have played additional renderings of the a pivotal role in The Campaign for Virginia Tech: Invent the new building. Future. Including pledges, members contributed nearly $375.5

million between the beginning of the campaign in July 2003

ick m ccor m ohn and the end of March this year—more than 41 percent of the j A signature facility for an exemplary college by Albert Raboteau total raised during that period.

Encouraging others to give In addition to generous financial support, many Ut Prosim A dramatic new building earmarked from the new building. It will contain our department and the rest of the col- Society members, including the Trotts, give their time. While for the northern end of campus will seven general-assignment classrooms lege.” volunteering on campaign committees, they encourage other Jane and Hance West showcase one of the nation’s premier and a 300-seat auditorium. The building State support will play a key role in alumni and friends to support the campaign, a vital part of the engineering programs and provide much- also will house the chemical engineer- the university’s plan for this much-need- fundraising effort. to benefit BASIS, a student investment team that focuses on needed space for its students and faculty. ing department, engineering education ed new building for the College of Engi- Nina Trott says she and her husband have been happy to bonds. “The Signature Engineering Building department, and part of the mechanical neering, but ultimately, the success of the serve on the campaign committee focused on the Northern will be a world-class instructional facility engineering department. project will depend on private money. Virginia region because “in a time when state funds are being 25 years of progress that will attract the nation’s brightest The departments of mechanical en- Officials are working to raise cut, we feel it is especially important to step up and support the Each year, the induction of new members like the Trotts students and faculty,” says John Sparks gineering and aerospace engineering also $50 million in contributions to help university.” and the Wests into the Ut Prosim Society illustrates how a (mechanical engineering ’74, M.S. ’76, will have showcase laboratories on the fund the 153,000-square-foot build- remarkably strong tradition of giving back to Virginia Tech has Ph.D. ’81), an Aerojet executive who has ground floor. One memorable feature of ing. Dozens of supporters have already carried on for generations. been a vocal advocate in Richmond for the building is a dramatic glass atrium contributed generously, but significant The Wests T. Marshall Hahn Jr. was in his second year as president of the project and is the incoming vice-chair that will contain a turbine engine. private funding is still necessary. On the the university when West was born, and Hahn was an origi- of the College of Engineering Advisory Another notable feature is a glass- state’s side, the project is included in a $1 Hance West (accounting ’86) was working at an investment nal member of the Ut Prosim Society in 1986. Hahn, whose Board. enclosed space on the third floor that billion capital program approved by the firm in the 1990s when a colleague and fellow Hokie encour- daughter and grandson became society members last year, Located near the corner of Prices will be visible from the atrium and will 2010 General Assembly. aged him to donate to Virginia Tech. Today, West, a managing says he is not surprised that the society has grown nearly 830 Fork Road and Stanger Street, the four- house the Virginia Tech Engineering College of Engineering Associate director with Investure LLC in Charlottesville, Va., serves on a percent in 25 years. story building will address the space Communication Center, co-directed Dean and Chief of Staff Ed Nelson, who campaign committee for the Richmond, Va., region. “But I am impressed by it, and I applaud it,” adds Hahn, crunch faced by a growing college, says by Assistant Professors of Engineer- is overseeing much of the project for the “It’s an opportunity to reach out to other Hokies who share who led the university from 1962 to 1974 and still lives in Richard Benson, the college’s dean. ing Education Lisa McNair and Marie college, says the goal is not just to provide our commitment to the university and who can help advance Blacksburg. “The university has grown and strengthened, and “We have a much larger faculty than Paretti. much-needed space, but to inspire future the mission of Virginia Tech,” West says. the enthusiasm of the alumni has grown and strengthened. I we did in the 1990s, we have a lot more “We really like the open design of the engineers as well. Like the Trotts, West and his wife, Jane (finance ’85), are think that it’s to be expected that there would be this magnifi- students, and we have an urgent need for building,” says McNair, whose depart- “We want to make Virginia Tech and new members of the Ut Prosim Society. Along with supporting cent, cumulative level of support.” this kind of space,” Benson says. “We’re ment is currently located in McBryde the College of Engineering an inspiring athletics, the Wests, who live in Glen Allen, Va., created a fund Albert Raboteau is a writer for University Development. the nation’s third-largest producer of Hall, separate from other engineering place to work and study, and this building undergraduate engineers after Georgia programs. “Being integrated with other is part of that.” To see a video highlighting the society’s 25 years of growth at Virginia Tech, visit www.campaign.vt.edu/UTPis25. Tech and Penn State.” engineering departments will allow more Albert Raboteau is a writer for Univer- For more information on Virginia Tech’s giving societies, visit www.campaign.vt.edu/society. Students and faculty will both benefit opportunity for collaboration between sity Development.

26 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 27 Alumnus Profile Alumnus Profile

Jo Ann Davis’s death. Wittman’s political career began in 1986 The Hokie experience on the Montross Town Council, which led to the Westmo- Wittman walks fast, his aides warn. Almost jogging be- reland County Board of Supervisors in 1995 and then the tween appointments, the former member of the Virginia Tech Virginia House of Delegates in 2005. Corps of Cadets recalls how cadets carried bricks in their back- Wittman’s background—equal parts professional, political, packs, one for each wrong answer. By the end of the week, laden and academic distinction—is tailor-made for Congress. The with 17 or 18 bricks, the cadets then ran up Brush Mountain. self-described “policy wonk” spent 26 years in state government On Capitol Hill, he’s now engaged in the political equivalent. as a field director for the division of shellfish sanitation in the He breezes up and down flights of stairs, through underground Virginia health department and as an environmental health tunnels and security checkpoints, from speeches to photo “opps” specialist for local health to votes to constituent meetings in a calculated series of events “At the end of the day, departments in the com- repeated daily. He’s carried a pedometer to learn he walks up to good public policy is good monwealth. Coupled with five miles a day. politics. I think that’s his political experience at The discipline, structure, and teamwork of the corps remain where my strengths are: the town, county, and state with him today. “This is a job where you have to really stay on P hoto s courte y of R o b Witt m an to be able to talk in a levels, Wittman enjoys the task and be focused,” Wittman says. “The corps taught me that.” very simple, basic, but interplay between politics His Virginia Tech professors also played an important

ROB WITTMAN thoughtful way about and public policy. role. George M. Simmons Jr., who taught courses in biology, public policy and convey it “At the end of the day, limnology, aquatic ecology, and marine biology, challenged and in a political context [that good public policy is good motivated Wittman. After an academically sub-par second is] not overly partisan.” politics. I think that’s where year, Wittman needed an exemption to perform undergraduate my strengths are: to be able research. Simmons stood up for him. to talk in a very simple, basic, but thoughtful way about public Professors hope to develop a knack for identifying talent, policy and convey it in a political context [that is] not overly Simmons explains. In Wittman, he saw the sincerity, character, ’81 partisan.” and intelligence that could lead to great things. After completing his degree at Virginia Tech, Wittman “[Wittman is] that caliber of individual,” Simmons says. “It’s In the fish bowl with Rob Wittman earned a master’s degree in health policy and administration kind of like that in athletics. You can’t make a racehorse out of a from the University of North Carolina and a Ph.D. in public donkey. You’ve got to have talent.” by Jesse Tuel policy and administration from Virginia Commonwealth Uni- University Distinguished Professor George J. Flick Jr., an versity. Wittman says he’s learned “how much [I] don’t know” expert in food science and technology who has experienced but, most importantly, how to find credible, valid information. Wittman’s expertise outside academics, says that the alumnus “If you don’t develop analytical, problem-solving, and writing is a capable scientist who has improved food safety regulation Rob Wittman’s official biography contains a A tailor-made background skills, then you haven’t gotten out of the advanced degrees what but is also focused on service to people. In an echo of Virginia seemingly scripted phrase, attesting that the U.S. In late April, Wittman was at a House Armed Services you need,” he says. Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Flick illustrates representative from Virginia’s 1st Congressional Committee hearing, considering a bill to improve financial man- District is an “avid hunter and fisherman.” agement practices in Department of Defense purchases. A visit to his D.C. office, however, makes it apparent The Republican listens intently, surrounded by 55 represen- that Wittman (biological sciences ’81) is the genuine tatives and a packed gallery. The 52-year-old leans forward to Go to www.vtmagazine.vt.edu to article. Mounted fish, from an 8-ounce redbreast adjust his microphone and to place reading glasses on the end sunfish to a 308-pound blue fish tuna, adorn the of his nose, studying a series of new amendments. One by one, hear audio excerpts of the day walls, along with five stuffed ducks and three framed each representative’s name is called for the vote. with Wittman—on topics such as diplomas. “Aye,” Wittman says, the single syllable carrying the weight partisanship, Wall Street reform, his “We call this ‘the fish bowl,’” says Mary Springer, of about 643,000 people. One of 11 Virginia congressional Wittman’s chief of staff. districts, the 1st District stretches alongside the Chesapeake political rise, his Hokie experience, In this fish bowl, the Virginia Tech alumnus now Bay from Fauquier County to Gloucester. and what it’s like to have handlers. operates on a stage of national prominence, a place Wittman’s gradual rise was most recently marked by his where every minute of the day is meant to maximize re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in November his outreach, influence, and impact. 2008, having first earned the seat in December 2007 after Rep.

28 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 29 Alumnus Profile

Alumni AssociationAlumni Association News

Commentary Campus life is vibrant, even during summer. We’ve Rob and Kathryn Wittman borrowed the Alumni Association’s 135th anniversary (bottom row) with their son theme from the original alumni gateway, which was the Josh (upper right), son-in-law first portal to the campus Daniel Gooch (upper left), grounds, constructed in the daughter Devon Gooch, and granddaughter Morgan. early 1900s. Today, there are several major entrances to campus, some with attractive gateways that welcome visitors and new students. Each July, more than 5,000 newly accepted freshmen enter campus through those gateways. For most, their journey will carry them beyond those gates four years later. As new alumni, they will know that Virginia Tech is for life and will always be connected to their university. On the following pages, you can read more about the generations his point. About five years ago, the FDA sought to disallow ing, and determined that we were going to put forth the effort who have passed through our gates for more than 14 a common industry practice whereby workers selected which to seek the nomination.” decades. bucket of oysters to sort, claiming that a forgotten bucket of Ten others had the same idea, and Wittman went into the More than 250,000 people have graduated from oysters might sit out in the open all day. The industry didn’t convention without many resources “but with lots of desire. A Virginia Tech in the 135 years since the earliest have the laboratory space or resources to run samples showing number of people helped, and the whole thing caught fire.” degrees (originally called certificates) were awarded. that the sorting practice was safe. Though Wittman finds himself in a whirlwind now, he’s More than 212,000 alumni continue their journeys But Wittman did, and his research—which the FDA fortunate to remain close to his family by living in Montross through careers or through service in retirement. Our accepted—validated the safety of the process and saved the and commuting to D.C. His wife, Kathryn, teaches elementary alumni association enjoys increased participation in industry money. school, as she has for 30 years. Their daughter, Devon (man- its programs as more alumni join the rolls and attend “He was up early, and he’d quit late at night,” Flick says. agement ’04), and son-in-law, Daniel, have a daughter and live class reunions, college homecomings, and other events. “That was typical Rob. As a regulator in a state health agency, nearby. Their son, Josh, a captain on a commercial fishing boat, Alumni return by the thousands to visit campus with its energetic students and to support the Hokies on the he didn’t have to do that.” is also close. Corps of cadets blanket toss, 1920 gridiron. There is a robust program of alumni events Wittman recalls sage advice from fellow Virginia congress- planned for this fall; see page 35 and check our website Downtime man Frank Wolf: “‘Leaders in this nation come and go. But you for dates and schedules. of the university’s class ring tradition, had the largest In his office that afternoon, Wittman takes his suit jacket know who will be there after all this? They were there at the Earlier this year, several alumni events enjoyed attendance in the dance’s 75-year history. off for the first time and reflects on coming to Washington. beginning, and they’ll be there after all of this is over, and that’s record participation. Hokie Day at the General We’ll summarize the achievements of our alumni “Being able to meet with world leaders—understanding your family.’ He said, ‘Don’t ever forget your family.’” Assembly, an annual tradition, had its largest programs in the magazine’s fall issue, where we will that what you once used to read about in the newspapers, Wittman’s life revolves around relationships and people — attendance, and a record number of students joined present a more comprehensive annual report. Our now you’re actually a part of that news—has been a pleasantly lawmakers, constituents, family, and staff. Around 5 p.m. in his alumni to visit with state legislators. The National 135th anniversary year is off to a roaring start. Thanks surprising element to me here,” Wittman says. “I didn’t think office in April, he is beckoned by aides and whisked away to yet Capital Region Job Fair had its highest attendance to so many of you for helping make it such a success. I’d be able to get involved at that level as quickly as I have another appointment. yet as it continues to serve alumni in that region. In been.” This time, there is no advocacy, no facts to remember, no March, the Black Alumni Reunion, held about every Three years ago, Wittman was running for his second speech in front of cameras. three years, had its most successful program in more term in the House of Delegates when Davis died. “I had a Just singing. Right on schedule, everyone sings “Happy than two decades. Also of note, the Class of 2011 Tom Tillar number of people call me and say, ‘Rob, you ought to run,’” he Birthday” to Wittman’s chief of staff, topping it off with ice Ring Dance, which celebrated the 100th anniversary Vice President for Alumni Relations says. “My wife and I had a lot of conversations, did some pray- cream cake.

30 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 31 Making a Difference

Generations of Hokie Alumni By Melissa Vidmar 1892 1941 1951 1968 1970 1985 2009

any generations of alumni have passed through Virginia Tech since the univer- The G.I. Generation: Born 1901-24 Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal—caused many in this Teenage experience: information explosion, AIDS, Msity opened its doors in 1872. Much has The G.I. Generation, or the “Greatest Generation,” is char- generation to become activists and to distrust societal institu- trillion-dollar debt, and environmental woes changed in the past 138 years, and the campus acterized by loyalty, hard work, patriotism, respect for authority, tions. The Cold War, consumerism, civil rights, women’s issues, Entertainment: TV (30-plus channels), VCR, and colleges have evolved so that students can self-reliance, and a strong sense of civic obligation; “sacrifice and the environment also occupy boomers’ attention. Boomers and Nintendo keep pace with an ever-changing society. Through for the common good” was a widely accepted norm. The G.I. are independent, cause-oriented, and media-informed. They are Attitude toward authority: ignore leaders the years, the generosity and service of Virginia Generation takes traditional retirement, stopping work to quality-conscious, fitness-preoccupied, and linked by a common Value system: media Tech alumni have made a 135th anniversary cel- pursue a life of rest and leisure. Having worked hard, often in heritage of rock music. Purchasing: struggling to purchase ebration possible for the Alumni Association. manufacturing, many yearned for the freedom and fun of the Family: dispersed family Perception: “us and them” (the boomers) “golden years.” Mother: working mother While the passion and excitement of our alumni Marriage: divorced and remarried Generation Y (Millennials): Born 1982-2001 and students remain strong, each generation has The Builders: Born 1925-42 Education: a birthright Millennials may lead a seismic wave of change in the world. unique qualities. The characteristics below don’t This generation, known as the “Builders,” saw America move Major influences: family and education They are more numerous, more affluent, better educated, and describe each of Virginia Tech’s 250,000-plus from the farm to the city and from a blue-collar economy to Teenage experience: civil rights and Watergate more ethnically diverse and “unlike any other youth generation alumni individually—after all, not every baby boom- the information age. Builders are hardworking, frugal, patriotic, Entertainment: TV (three channels) in living memory,” according to one expert. Millennials also have er went to Woodstock—but they do address com- cautious, dependable, and private about their feelings. More Attitude toward authority: replace them and positive social habits—focused on teamwork, achievement, and monly held perceptions of each generation. More than 75 percent of the nation’s wealth and more than 80 percent challenge leaders good conduct—and exhibit strong civic duty with confidence, likely than not, these characteristics influenced of its savings are controlled by this generation. Value system: self-based sociability, and diversity. Family: comfortable with a loose family structure the Virginia Tech experience of each generation in Family: close family Purchasing: credit card Mother: single mother or single father a slightly different way. Mother: homemaker Perception: “me” Marriage: married once Marriage: undetermined Education: a dream Generation X: Born 1961-81 Education: an incredible experience The Civil War Generation: Born 1850-80 Major influences: family and church This generation has experienced several new definitions Major influences: friends, media, athletes Teenage experience: overwhelming information, This generation experienced challenging times in a nation Teenage experience: the Great Depression of family and great personal insecurity. Recently, authors have divided by the Civil War. West Virginia, which was created Entertainment: radio described it as the postmodern generation. This generation downsizing, living at home longer in 1863, separated Virginians in the western part of the state. Attitude toward authority: honor and respect values time over money and rejects the workaholic materialism Entertainment: surfing the net, DVDs, PlayStation, As the nation recovered from war, the university, then called Value system: conservative of their parents. X-ers are not slackers; in fact, they must work and Xbox Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, graduated its first Perception: “we” to repay substantial student loans. Financing the ability to “get Attitude toward authority: leaders must respect you 12 students in 1875. away from it all” and spending time with close friends are the Value system: shop around The Boomers: Born 1943-60 best reasons to work for most Gen X-ers. Purchasing: online The Lost Generation: Born 1881-1900 Boomers were raised in an era of rapid growth and change. Family: latchkey kids Perception: “Change is possible and good” Members of the “Lost Generation” were disillusioned by the Technological advances meant more leisure time, and boom- Mother: single mother Generational descriptions were pulled from research large number of casualties of World War I. They were cynical, ers were free to explore their feelings and experiment with life. Marriage: single parent or blended families conducted by Dennis Gaylor, national director of Chi Alpha disdainful of Victorian notions of morality and propriety, and Major cultural events—three dramatic assassinations (John F. Education: a way to get there Campus Ministries, and Tom Tillar, vice president for alumni ambivalent about 19th-century gender ideals. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.), the Major influences: the media relations.

32 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 33 2010 hokie cruise Join Hokie friends as we sail on Royal Caribbean’s Reunions and homecomings revolutionary masterpiece, the Navigator of the Seas.

6 Days/Nights | november 15 - 21, 2010 | Miami Game The 2010 reunions and homecomings: Celebrations tailored just for you! sponsored by the virginia tech alumni association and virginia tech hokie club Whether you graduated from Virginia Tech five or 50 years ago, don’t miss a celebration tailored just for you. Your Hokie Cruise package will include a 5-night cruise to the Western Caribbean prior to the Return to reunite with classmates or attend a homecom- ing for alumni from your college. Enjoy the Virginia Tech Virginia Tech vs. Miami football game and 1-night at the Hokie Headquarters Team Hotel. You campus during the beautiful Blacksburg autumn, and will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean’s private island) and on to celebrate with classmates, make new friends, and see how Ocho Rios, Jamaica with two relaxing days at sea and an onboard cocktail party. Visit much everything has changed since your last visit. Be sure www.martintravel.com to book today! If you have questions, please contact Kathy Sharp at to register today. [email protected] or call 800/888-4484. Sept. 10-11: VT vs. James Madison University Class of ’85 reunion Corps of cadets homecoming College of Engineering homecoming Sept. 17-18: VT vs. East Carolina University A message to young alumni in the classes of Class of ’75 reunion 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, and 2008 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences homecoming There is no better way to celebrate being a Hokie than Oct. 8-9: VT vs. Central Michigan University returning to Blacksburg for the annual VT-U.Va. rivalry. Class of ’65 reunion Consider coming back to campus this fall to reunite with College of Science homecoming classmates and celebrate our years at Virginia Tech. This College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences homecoming promises to be yet another memorable Hokie experience. Oct. 15-16: VT vs. Wake Forest University We will begin our weekend on Friday evening with regis- Class of ’60 reunion tration and a welcome recep- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary tion at the Holtzman Alumni Medicine homecoming Center. Stop by to reminisce RA and RHF special reunion with old friends and meet Highty-Tighties homecoming new ones, then go downtown Oct. 22-23: VT vs. Duke University to visit familiar haunts. We Class of ’70 reunion will gather on Saturday at Pamplin College of Business homecoming The Inn at Virginia Tech and Nov. 4-5 (Thursday night game) VT vs. Georgia Tech Skelton Conference Center for Class of ’80 reunion a Hokie Spirit tailgate party College of Natural Resources homecoming before heading to to cheer on the Hokies as Graduate School homecoming they challenge the Cavaliers. Football tickets are available Nov. 26-27: VT vs. U.Va. with each paid registration, while they last. College of Architecture and Urban Studies homecoming We look forward to seeing you in Blacksburg on Nov. Young alumni reunion featuring the classes of ’97-’99 26-27. For event details and to register, visit www.alumni.

www.alumni.vt.edu/reunion and ’06-’08 vt.edu/reunion/youngalumni. Multicultural alumni reunion a relaxing hokie experience James P. O’Connell, Class of ’97 president Jennifer G. Ginther, Class of ’98 president Raphael R. Castillejo, Class of ’99 president Sumeet Bagai, Class of ’06 president J. Russell Davis, Class of ’07 president Michael P. Dunleavy, Class of ’08 president

Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 35 Alumni board elects new officers and members National Capital Region Chapter job fair

New Alumni Association President Curry A. Roberts Newly elected board members for three-year terms: NCR chapter’s 19th annual job fair sets at this year’s job fair represented a wide (political science ’80), President-Elect Lance L. Smith (business Lisa Carter Ellison (finance ’86), A. Jerome Fowlkes (finance record, boosts scholarship support range of companies and organizations, administration ’68), and Vice President Matthew M. Winston ’88), Kathleen Kyger Frazier (agricultural and applied econom- he sustained growth of the National Capital Re- including consulting, government agen- Jr. (marketing ’90) have begun one-year terms. Roberts resides ics, political science ’04), Hoda Kotb (communication ’86), W. gion (NCR) Chapter’s annual job fair, held this year cies and contractors, technology, security, in Richmond, Va., and is president of the State Fair of Virginia. Park Lemmond (business administration ’54), Brian C. Mont- on March 9, has allowed the chapter to award public utilities, financial services, educa- Bar b ara Mica l e Smith, of Pinehurst, N.C., is a retired U.S. Air Force general. T gomery (industrial and systems engineering ’05), and James P. scholarships to graduate students enrolled in the NCR tion, and retail. Winston, of Athens, Ga., serves as assistant to the president at O’Connell (biochemistry ’97). in addition to its traditional scholarship awards for “Today’s event saw a very diverse mix the University of Georgia. regional high school seniors bound for Blacksburg. of job seekers, which I believe is a sign of “This year’s job fair set a number of records,” said Marvin the times,” Boyd said after the fair. “I am Boyd, NCR chapter president and chair of the job fair for proud that our NCR chapter can serve the past six years. “We had over 2,200 registered applicants, the community in this way when so many more than 80 participating employers, and grossed more than people are looking for employment.” $50,000. This year’s event was a tremendous success.” The job fair is just one way NCR Held at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church, Va., alumni honor Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May the job fair is free to prospective job applicants and open to the Serve). To find out more about the NCR Chapter and other general public; employers pay a fee to participate. Employers alumni events, visit them online at www.ncrhokies.org.

Curry A. Roberts ’80 Lance L. Smith ’68 Matthew M. Winston ’90

Call for Outstanding Recent Resident advisor and Residence Hall Alumni Award nominations Federation reunion

The Alumni Association invites nominations A special reunion of former residence hall for the 2010-11 Outstanding Recent Alumni advisors and Residence Hall Federation (RHF) Awards, which recognize professional achieve- leaders will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, ment and leadership by alumni who have when Virginia Tech hosts Wake Forest. This is a graduated in the past 10 years (2001-10). great opportunity to reconnect with fellow advi- Nominations are due by Sept. 1 and should be sors and RHF leaders, all of whom served a cam- mailed to: Outstanding Recent Alumni Awards, pus resident community that has grown to 9,000 Virginia Tech Alumni Association, 901 Prices students since the RA program and Interdormitory Fork Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24061. Please in- Councils began in the 1960s. For reunion details, clude each candidate’s biographical informa- visit www.alumni.vt.edu/reunion. tion and qualifications.

0P7 36 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Corps of Cadets

Corps holds videoconferences with deployed alumni

rock roszak By Maj. Carrie Cox serving in Iraq, cadets spoke directly with between January and March. About 30 For the first time, the Virginia Tech corps alumni serving in a combat zone. cadets attended each session and asked Corps of Cadets’ highly regarded Gun- Called Remote Gunfighter Panels, the panelists about their day-to-day lives at fighter Panel series was interrupted by events were held this spring as part of the Camp Victory in Baghdad and at Con- incoming fire. corps’ leadership development training. tingency Operating Base Adder. Virginia In Iraq. The videoconferences are a spinoff of Tech’s video/broadcast services recorded Thanks to the inspired efforts of Brig. the Gunfighter Panels the corps has spon- each event, and all cadets were able to view Gen. Michele Compton (geology ’83), who sored on campus for the past 13 semesters. the discussion online as part of the corps was until recently the senior female officer In the traditional Gunfighter Panel, three leadership course. or four alumni return to campus as part Besides Compton, the alumni who of the Leaders in Action lecture series shared their experiences with cadets were hosted by the corps’ Rice Center for Leader Maj. Rafael “Pete” Pazos (mechanical engi- Development. The officers share combat neering ’93), Maj. Patrick Hogeboom (civil Brig. Gen. Michele Compton ’83 has since completed her tour as deployment experiences, lessons learned, engineering ’94), Maj. Heather Clevenger deputy director, J5, plans, strategy, and leadership challenges and discuss how (hospitality and tourism management ’99), and assessments for U.S. forces their corps experiences prepared them for Capt. George Mallory (interdisciplinary in Iraq and was the senior female life after college. studies ’05), 1st Lt. Amir Abu-Akeel officer serving in that country. She Using the new Global Technology (aerospace engineering ’06), and 1st Lt. was also the first female graduate Brian Orlino (management ’07), all in the of the corps of cadets to attain Center in Norris Hall, cadets heard from the rank of general or flag officer. alumni who were serving in a combat U.S. Army; and Capt. Angela Jacobson Compton is the proud parent of zone at the time. With Compton’s help, (mathematics ’00) of the U.S. Air Force. current cadet Leigh Compton of these lessons came to life in real time from From Iraq to Blacksburg, the video- Kailua, Hawaii, a junior majoring Baghdad—the alumni even had to take an conferencing technology gave cadets a in animal and poultry sciences accountability check to see if anyone was valuable insight into what their futures and pursuing a minor in leadership studies. Leigh is a recipient of both injured after receiving incoming fire during may hold. the Emerging Leader and ROTC one session. Maj. Carrie Cox is the executive officer scholarships. Three remote sessions were held for the corps.

38 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 39 Book Notes Book Notes

Virginia Tech Magazine is pleased and engineering, introduces the vision- Ed Housman thwarted the development Creek, Va. This book is self-published Book Publishers (P.O. Box 65624, Salt Dr., Bloomington, IN 47403); www. to note books by alumni, faculty, ary women who opened the doors for of a strip mine near Eden Springs. This through Word Association Publishers Lake City, UT 84165); www.american- iuniverse.com. and staff or books about Virginia contemporary female engineers and book is self-published through Trafford (205 Fifth Ave., Tarentum, PA 15084); book.com. In From Peanuts to the Pressbox: In- Tech. To submit a book, please illuminates the lives of today’s women Publishing (9045 N. River Rd., Ste. 400, www.wordassociation.com. Symbiotic Realms is a collection of sider Sports Stories from a Life Behind the mail it to Book Notes, Virginia Tech engineers. The publisher is American So- Indianapolis, IN 46240); www.trafford. In Lean for the Process Industries, selected works by Robin Kranitzky and Mic, M.B. Roberts (communication ’86) Magazine, 105 Media Building, ciety of Civil Engineers (1801 Alexander com. Peter L. King (electrical engineering ’65) Kim Overstreet and Eli Gold, the Blacksburg, VA 24061. You can also Bell Dr., Reston, VA 20191); www.pubs. In his book An American Solution for provides a comprehensive resource for (human nutrition voice of the Univer- e-mail a high-resolution image of asce.org. Reducing Carbon Emissions—Averting change agents, focusing on areas of the and foods ’85). sity of Alabama’s the book cover, along with your Global Warming—Creating Green Energy process industry Each work is a Crimson Tide, tell name, the name of the publisher, Books by alumni and Sustainable that differ from wearable diorama the unforgettable and a brief description of the book, A Prayer for Sammy, by Mary Employment, those of assembly created from recy- highlights of Gold’s to [email protected]. For more infor- Margaret Adams (sociology ’97, M.S. Andre DuPont manufacturing. cled materials. The historic career. mation about Book Notes policies, ’99), is a Christian (information The publisher is book is published The publisher is please go to www.vtmagazine. devotional for a son technology M.S. CRC Press, Taylor by DesignMuseo Thomas Nelson vt.edu/bookreview.html. who was never born. ’02) focuses on and Francis Group (Korkeavuoren- Inc. (P.O. Box This book is self- the innovation of (6000 Broken katu 23, 00120 Helsinki, Finland); www. 141000, Nashville, TN 37214); www. Books by faculty and staff published through recycling carbon Sound Pkwy. designmuseum.fi. thomasnelson.com. The CogniCheck Memory Screen- AuthorHouse emissions to N.W., Ste. 300, Patterson’s Rules, by Tim Patterson In The Ten Thousand Things, Brooks ing CD-ROM, by W. David Crews, an (1663 Liberty Dr., create green fuel Boca Raton, FL 33487); www.taylorand- (accounting ’83), focuses on the causes Tenney (architec- adjunct assistant Bloomington, IN from coal, oil, and electric power produc- francisgroup.com. of the recent financial meltdown in a tural engineering professor in the 47403); www.autho- ers. This book is self-published through In What’s a Hokie? Dick Louthan humorous way and provides common- ’58) examines behavioral neurosci- rhouse.com. DuPont Group Inc. (P.O. Box 3328, Falls (metallurgic engineering ’60) and Barnes sense ideas for the development ence laboratory in In Canine Instinct, a Guide to Survival Church, VA 22043). Louthan (general science ’70) tell the tale readers to help of unmanned the Department and Advancement in In her picture book The Adventures of how the “Hokie” became an important prevent economic aerial vehicles along of Psychology, and Corporate America, of Magpie and Mr. Topper, Cheese, Please, part of Virginia Tech and just what a crises from affect- China’s ancient David W. Harrison, Ellen Burts-Cooper Erin C. Fristoe (communication ’01) Hokie ing them in the Silk Road as seen director of the neu- (Ph.D. organic/ tells a story really is. future. This book through the eyes of roscience laboratory, polymer chemistry of two best This book is self-published a student led by an allows users to complete clinically tested ’00) explains how to friends, a bird is self- through Lulu Asian studies professor. This book is self- memory screenings designed to evaluate navigate the corpo- and a dog, published Enterprises Inc. published through Trafford Publishing seven aspects of short-term memory in rate game and how spending a lazy, through (3101 Hillsbor- (9045 N. River Rd., Ste. 400, Indianapo- people 45 to 86 years old. The CD-ROM to break beyond the hazy summer Word- ough St., Raleigh, NC 27607-5436); lis, IN 46240); www.trafford.com. is self-published through CogniCheck mid-management afternoon sprint www.lulu.com. Steps, Faith to Reason, by William Inc. (P.O. Box 11901, Lynchburg, VA ranks of corporate America. This book together (225 Industrial Dr., Christiansburg, VA In her novel The Story of Peter C. White (agronomy ’49), describes 24506); [email protected]. is self-published through AuthorHouse searching for a snack. This book is self- 24073-2538); www.wordsprint.com. Looney, Patricia H. Quinlan (clothing key steps made In the books Women in Engineer- (1663 Liberty Dr., Bloomington, IN published through Xlibris (1663 Liberty In his novel Tunnel-Town, E.C. Mon- and textiles ’58) by humankind ing: Pioneers and 47403); www.authorhouse.com. Dr., Ste. 200, Bloomington, IN 47403); crief (chemical engineering ’54, M.S. ’55, tells the tale, based during the past Trailblazers and In his novel Guardian of Eden www.xlibris.com. Ph.D. ’57), whose on a true story, of four millennia to Women in Engineer- Springs, the sequel In The Saga of pen name is E.C. her ancestor Peter use reason rather ing: Professional to The Battle of Caty Sage, Jerry L. Monty, follows Looney, who was than faith as the Life, the editor, Eden Springs, Jim Haynes (chemical the tale of two captured by Native preferred faculty Margaret E. Layne, Crowgey (electrical engineering ’77) fol- childhood friends Americans in 1756 for life. This book project director engineering ’60) tells lows the true story who take different during the battle is self-published of AdvanceVT, the story of Robert of a 5-year-old girl paths in search of of Fort Vause and through Author a Virginia Tech Barker, who is back who disappeared lucrative business taken to live with House (1663 Lib- program created for for revenge seven in 1792 from her careers. The pub- them for one year. The book is self-pub- erty Dr., Bloomington, IN 47403); www. the advancement of women in science years after attorney frontier home in Elk lisher is American lished through iUniverse (1663 Liberty authorhouse.com.

40 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 41 Class Notes Class Notes

on the CONSERV 1&2 Study ’04 Alumni, we want to hear what you’ve Team were named Team of Gary D. Grassi Jr. (BIOL), From field to sky, alumnus sets the bar high been doing. Although we cannot print the Year by Cubist Pharma- Kingman, Ariz., was selected stories or obituaries, we can post on- ceuticals Inc. as a Hokie Hero for the line photographs of weddings, babies, Stuart P. Mease (MKTG), Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee and spirited alumni. Mail photos to Christiansburg, Va., is direc- Chick-fil-A Bowl game. Virginia Tech Magazine, 105 Media tor of undergraduate career Building, Blacksburg, VA 24061, or services for the Pamplin ’05 e-mail them to [email protected]. Please College of Business. Evan I. Gant (IDS), Medford, mail career, retirement, wedding, birth, Mass., designed the Flip and death notices to Alumni Notes, ’98 j i m s troup Bath, Dad’s Changing Bag, Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Anne Miller Frazier (ARTF), and the Modular Rocker to Holtzman Alumni Center, Blacksburg, Martinsville, Va., was listed accommodate parents of VA 24061; send them via e-mail to as one of the Influential infants. [email protected]; or submit them online Women of Virginia for 2010 Jessica M. Schnekser (IDS), at www.vtmagazine.vt.edu/submit. by Virginia Lawyers Media. Norfolk, Va., joined HBA classnotes.html. John T. McConnell Jr. (APSC), Architecture and Interior Haymarket, Va., is a major Design Inc. as marketing in the U.S. Army and has coordinator. received the Bronze Star. ’06 Editor’s note: For pri- to the American Society of Jacquelyn Reed Hall (HIDM), ’91 ’99 Howard A. Deskin (BAD), vacy reasons, mailing Home Inspectors board of Southbury, Conn., is senior Mary Ann Drumright Clarke Erin McCants Parker (FIN), Midlothian, Va., opened a directors. ’80s pastor of Winchester Center (MATE), Bruceton Mills, Arlington, Va., is a senior Central Virginia WSI office in addresses for alumni Congregational Church. W.Va., was chosen to receive ’72 ’80 partner with Isis Associates April 2009. appearing in Career WVU Foundation’s Award for LLC. (HIST), James H. Hatch (ACCT), Thomas T. Wiatt (ETC), ’85 Andrew T. Shadley News, Weddings, and Newport News, Va., wrote Outstanding Teacher. Steven J. Wilkes (EE), San Von Ormy, Texas, was White Stone, Va., received David M. Barker (HIST), Jennifer K. Martin (ART), Big Births and Adoptions the 2010 Distinguished and published Just Tell Me Clemente, Calif., received selected as a Hokie Hero for What Happened. Palm Harbor, Fla., wrote a Pine Key, Fla., installed her his M.B.A. from Pepperdine the Virginia Tech vs. Tennes- may now be viewed Alumnus Award from Pam- novel, The Heretic: A Mysti- most recent paintings and University. see Chick-fil-A Bowl game. K e ls ey rade l online at www.alumni. plin College of Business. ’81 cal Parable. sculptures in the gallery of vt.edu/directory by ’74 Thomas M. Barrie (ARCH), L. Catherine Brinson (ESM), the East Martello Museum. ’07 Raleigh, N.C., is the author Evanston, Ill., was named Elizabeth A. Hart (COMM), logging in with your Gary G. Ahrendts (ETE), At- ’92 tleboro, Mass., was awarded of The Architecture of the an American Society of Me- ’00s New York, N.Y., served as Virginia Tech PID and In-between: The Mediating chanical Engineers Fellow. Christopher J. Gregoire an assistant stage manager Stanislav Licul the 2010 President’s Award (ACCT), Tracys Landing, Md., ’00 at the 2010 Olympic Winter password. for Outstanding Service at Roles of Architecture and Richart C. Kahler (CE), Spiritual Path, Sacred Place: is vice president and control- Somil R. Mehta (BIOL), Games. Wheaton College. Virginia Beach, Va., is a ler of Lockheed Martin. As the war wound down in his native Croatia, Stanislav Licul (electri- Myth Ritual and Meaning in structural engineer with the Burke, Va., is assistant direc- Francis H. Ayers Jr. (HIST), Architecture. Jill S. Weseman (ENGL), tor of graduate international ’09 cal engineering ’99, M.S. ’01, Ph.D. ’04), arrived in the U.S. as a student Palm Coast, Fla., is ex- Virginia Task Force 2, Urban (HTM), Allen A. Brunk (COMM), Search and Rescue team Seattle, Wash., is a National recruiting and admissions at Jeong Doo Park ’60s ecutive vice president of the Board Certified Teacher in Stevens Institute of Technol- Knoxville, Tenn., was recog- in a high-school exchange program. “I didn’t know [that the war was Prescott, Ariz., campus of Redmond, Wash., co- in Haiti. ’63 founded a health care soft- English. ogy in Hoboken, N.J. nized as having written one James D. Burnett (EE), Embry Riddle Aeronautical Michael D. Miller (ARCH), of three best papers at the ending] at the time, so it played a part in my leaving home. But I came to University. ware company that delivers Melissa Haskell Miller Satellite Beach, Fla., is vice interactive entertainment Midlothian, Va., is vice presi- ’93 (IDST), Fredericksburg, Va., Graduate Student Research dent at HKS Inc., a leading the United States to experience something new and different and to have president of the Florida ’75 and education content to Michael T. Maslanka (FW), completed her doctorate in Conference in Hospitality and Genealogical Society. the patient’s bedside. architectural design firm. Rockville, Md., is head of the educational leadership. Tourism. opportunities I might not have had back home,” says Licul. Lewis L. Lanier (BIOL), San department of nutrition for ’65 Francisco, Calif., is chairman David A. Dillard (ESM), ’89 Pavli Mykerezi (EDVT), Blacksburg, Va., received the Smithsonian’s National Licul is now president and CEO of Maxtena, a Blacksburg-based com- George L. Hanbury II (PAD), of the Department of Micro- Zoological Park. Blacksburg, Va., is director of biology and Immunology at the International 2010 Ralph P. Albrecht (EE), the Virginia Tech agricultural Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is Fairfax, Va., founded an pany he founded in 2006 to develop and produce antennas and antenna president and COO of Nova the University of California, Award for Excellence in ’95 technology program. Adhesion Science. intellectual property law firm systems that are used to communicate with satellites. “In a start-up com- Southeastern University. San Francisco, School of Marc B. Bassler (BIOC), Ryan J. Witherell (COMM), Weddings Medicine. Judy S. Riffle (CHEM), named Albrecht Tousi and and Farnum PLLC. Philadelphia, Pa., is partner Nashville, Tenn., is vice presi- ’77 Ann R. Tatman pany where everything is new and undefined, it’s all about understanding ’67 Blacksburg, Va., was elected dent of client services and Donald F. Bennis, of Virginia ’76 with the law firm of Caesar, Robert B. Fish (CHE), Park- a Fellow in the polymeric Jeffrey W. Burkett (MGT), Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen new media at Seigenthaler Beach, Va., 1/9/10. your strengths and weaknesses and finding the position that feels comfort- ersburg, W.Va., received the William D. Wray (CHE), King- materials science and Alexandria, Va., attained the and Pokotilow Ltd. Public Relations. ’81 Melanie A. Pearson and Bolton/Carothers Innovative wood, Texas, is chairman of engineering division of the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Stephen K. Hurley, of Alexan- able and right—where do you best fit in; what is the best use of what you WBF, the Organization for American Chemical Society. Force and is the assistant Matthew J. Lohr (AGED), Science Award from the Broadway, Va., is com- ’01 dria, Va., 5/2/09. have to offer?” he says. DuPont Company. Production Technology. to the A3 for Nuclear Enter- (MATH), ’82 missioner for the Virginia Brian D. Sutton ’00 Andrea J. Puckett and prise Operations. Roanoke, Va., was awarded Brian Wells, of Alexandria, Licul credits his days at Virginia Tech with teaching him lessons that ’77 Kimberly Kratch Department of Agriculture ’68 Brian L. Klock (EE), Alex- and Consumer Services. the 14th Leslie Fox Prize in Va., 5/09. George M. Simmons Jr. Mitzi Potts Lail (ELED), Giancaspro (SOC), Rich- andria, Va., is managing Numerical Analysis. have been crucial in his business. “Balancing both academic and athletic Kenbridge, Va., authored mond, Va., is a licensed Erik B. Stenberg (ARCH), ’01 Tonya L. Echols and (BIOL), Blacksburg, Va., partner of the Washington, Spanga, Sweden, was John I. Thomas (CPE), Crozet, Brent Humphrey, of Arlington, was conferred the Alumni her first children’s book, Box therapist with James River D.C., office of Fitzpatrick, careers, I learned valuable lessons about leadership, pressure, and time and Contents, which tells of Psychotherapy Associates. named one of the 100 most Va., created an iPhone ap- Va., 7/3/09. Distinguished Professor Cella, Harper & Scinto. plication called Buckets. management,” says Licul, who played varsity soccer for the Hokies. Emeritus title by the Virginia a young boy’s first trip to a influential architects in ’05 Nicholas A. King and Tech Board of Visitors. country auction. ’83 Sweden. ’08 Meghann E. Vincie, of ’02 Goshen, Ohio, 8/22/09. Licul was a leader even on the field. He was named offensive player Victor E. Sower (CHEM), Mary Kathryn Burkey ’78 Owens (ENGL), Chesterfield, ’96 Jennifer Riley McLendon ’05 Nathan O. Reynolds and of the year as a freshman, rose to team captain his senior year, and ranks Huntsville, Texas, authored ’90s Nathan R. Butler (ARCH), (MKTG), Roanoke, Va., the book Essentials of Kylene Barker McNeill Va., was selected as one ’07 Samara Kuhn, of Mor- (CTRA), Naples, Fla., of Virginia’s 2009 Legal Orlando, Fla., was selected received her M.B.A. from risville, N.C., 1/16/10. third in all-time goals scored. Quality with Cases and participated in the Evening ’90 for Building Design & Con- Radford University. Experiential Exercises. Elite by Virginia Business ’06 Steven A. Kyriakides of Dreams Gala hosted by magazine for her work in the struction magazine’s list “Playing on the soccer team and being an engineering student was a Carl D. Gray (PSCI), ’03 and ’07 Annie E. Parsons, of Robin Leach. category of family/domestic Chesapeake, Va., is serving of “40 under 40” and is Simpsonsville, S.C., 9/5/09. tough combination. It taught me to work hard,” Licul says. “I hold myself Robert N. Rector Jr. (BIOL), relations. principal of the firm at C.T. Emily R. Gambill (PSCI), as counsel at Hunton & Wil- Midlothian, Va., received her ’08 Mark A. Ballintyn and Roanoke, Va., is president of Joseph P. Parr (HORT), liams LLP. Hsu and Associates. to high expectations, and then I try to exceed them.” ’70s master’s of public admin- Jennifer Lynn Sieber, of Wilm- Richfield Retirement Com- Tampa, Fla., is director of Anthony L. Ciuca (PSCI), ington, Del., 8/8/09. ’70 Michael P. Maxwell (FIN), Souderton, Pa., earned his istration and homeland Licul maintains this drive in his current work at Maxtena, where he is munity. horticulture for SeaWorld Waukesha, Wis., is a judge J.B. Hyler Jr. (ACCT), Raleigh, Parks and Entertainment. J.D. from the Rutgers Univer- security and emergency ’79 for the Wisconsin Governor’s sity School of Law. preparedness graduate joined by several fellow alumni: Nathan Cummings (electrical engineering N.C., is president of the U.S. Business Plan Contest. Golf Association. Mary Leigh Wolfe (AGE), ’84 certificate from Virginia Com- ’98, M.S. ’01, Ph.D. ’03), vice president of engineering; Vanja Maric (in- Blacksburg, Va., was Richard D. Evans (GEOP), William D. Tyrrell Jr. (VM), ’97 monwealth University. Births and Adoptions ’71 inducted as 2009 Accredita- Varina, N.C., published Leesburg, Va., is the Virginia Jennifer Johnson Kane Peter A. Parker (STAT), of ’89 Susan Brennan Amaral, ternational studies ’06), sales and marketing manager; and Paul Piccione Mark S. Londner (ARCH), tion Board for Engineering a book called 50 Year Veterinary Medical Associa- (BIOL), North Billerica, Gloucester, Va., won a NASA Severna Park, Md., a daugh- Hillsboro, Va., was named and Technology Fellow. Adventure. tion president. Mass., and her colleagues NESC Leadership Award. ter, 5/18/09. (electrical engineering ’02, M.Eng. ’08), senior radio frequency engineer.

42 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 43 Class Notes Class Notes

’89 Richard T. Nielsen and ’01 Marilyn Kay Eames ’34 Carl F. Robison, 1/2/10 good Dr.,Virginia Beach, VA (801 West Valley Dr., Bristol, ’53 N. Erskin Arehart, ’61 T. Harrison Williams, Alumna bridges a cultural divide in Afghanistan ’91 Christine A. Espi- Kitchell, Morris Plains, N.J., (The Hermitage, 1600 23455). VA 24201). 1/20/10 (820 Cedar Ave., 12/5/09 (647 Boulder- noza, Oak Hill, Va., a son, a son, 1/11/10. Westwood Ave., Ste. 308, ’43 Robert F. Jackson, ’49 Thomas W. Old, Drexel Hill, PA 19026). crest Dr. S.W., Marietta, GA by Chelsea Newman ’10 12/11/09. ’01 Brendan J. McMur- Richmond, VA 23227). 1/4/10 (1944 Tucker Ln., 12/1/09 (3818 Grandview ’53 William G. Sandy, 30064). ’90 Robert K. Brooks, rer, Arlington, Va., a son, ’37 Blair L. Whitt, 1/31/10 Salem, VA 24153). Ave. N.W., Roanoke, VA 1/6/10 (3207 Orchard ’61 Eddie L. Wood, 12/3/09 Mechanicsville, Va., a son, 1/13/10. (355 E. Spiller St., Wy- ’43 John P. Middleton, 24012). Hill Rd. S.W., Roanoke, VA (880 Northgate Ave., Larissa Mihalisko (politi- 8/28/09. ’01 Ashley Garth Updike theville, VA 24382). 1/25/10 (P.O. Box 14, The ’49 Cordelia J. Richards, 24018). Waynesboro, VA 22980). cal science ’08) has more on ’90 Charles H. Brown, Fair- and ’01 Michael S. Updike, ’38 Joseph P. Venezia, Plains, VA 20198). 1/17/10 (7 Wallace Cir., ’55 Margaret Cox Ayers, ’63 E. Lee Reed III, 2/14/10 fax Station, Va., a daughter, Clarksville, Md., a daughter, 2/11/10 (Apt. 1E, 806 S.E. ’43 Carey J. Padgett, Newport News, VA 23606). 11/19/09 (7110 Ayers (Exxon Energy Limited, 10/F., her plate than the average 10/30/09. 7/21/09. 46th St., Cape Coral, FL 1/19/10 (1005 Greenway ’50 William M. Bennett, Meadow Ln., Springfield, VA St. George’s Building, Hong 24-year-old. ’92 Stephen R. Payne, ’01 David P. White, Roswell, 33904). Ln., Richmond, VA 23226). 2/14/10 (Box 127, Riner, VA 22150). Kong China, China). Highlands Ranch, Colo., a Ga., a daughter, 10/22/09. ’39 R. Tate Alexander, ’43 C. Allan Paxton, 24149). ’55 Eugene O. Wilson, ’63 W. Roger Simer, When the Marine Corps daughter, 3/7/10. ’01 Jennifer L. White-Friend 11/7/09 (258 Red Hill Rd., 11/26/09 (811 Pocono Dr., ’50 J.V. Gorman Jr., 9/2/09 (802 San Carlos Ct., 11/20/09 (Unit 10, 3423 ’92 Michael S. Schro- and ’02 Scott A. Friend, P.O. Box 163, Fairfield, VA Richmond, VA 23236). 12/20/09 (402 Hearth- The Villages, FL 32159). Grand Vista Ct., Port Char- Intelligence Activity (MCIA) der and ’94 Elizabeth N. Christiansburg, Va., a son, 24435). ’44 W. Gordon Echols Jr., stone Dr., Blacksburg, VA ’56 John R. Canada, lotte, FL 33953). office created a cultural Schroder, Baltimore, Md., a 8/12/09. ’39 Ward A. Goodwin, 2/2/10 (216 North St., 24060). 1/20/10 (8324 Bald Eagle ’64 J.F. Brandon III, daughter, 9/4/09. ’02 Marsha Wood Canfield 12/10/09 (Rt. 2, Box 758, Marion, VA 24354). ’50 E. George Middleton Ln., Wilmington, NC 28411). 11/18/09 (11541 Rexmoor intelligence team to support ’94 Jesse M. DeShazo and and ’02 Matthew A. Can- Bluefield, WV 24701). ’44 Robert J. Fagelson, Jr., 12/7/09 (1518 S. See- ’56 H. Randolph Tillett, Dr., Richmond, VA 23236). ’03 Natalie N. Nicar, Suf- field, Ashburn, Va., a son, ’39 Howard Gordon Jr., 12/2/09 (Apt. 105, 5902 breeze Tr., Virginia Beach, 12/22/09 (320 Monument ’64 Ronald M. De Young, Marine operations in folk, Va., a son, 11/02/09. 8/14/09. 1/15/10 (287 Sansbury Rd., North St., Nacogdoches, TX VA 23452). Ave., Malvern, PA 19355). 12/21/09 (235 Wheeler Rd., Afghanistan, Mihalisko— ’94 Edwin M. Wied III, ’02 Kevin B. Cooley and Friendship, MD 20758). 75965). ’50 Charles S. Phillips, ’57 Nancy Mitchell Miller, Marstons Mills, MA 02648). Annawan, Ill., a son, ’02 Melissa Gill Cooley, ’40 Charles W. Hutton, ’44 Donald F. Franz, 12/7/09 (St. James Well- 11/29/09 (2909 Kanawha ’64 N. Nat Hurd III, 12/8/09 who interned at MCIA 12/21/09. Yorktown, Va., a daughter, 12/12/09 (2947 Arizona 12/28/09 (11110 Tom Ad- ness Center, 31842 Cross- Ave. S.E., Charleston, WV (3149 South Shore Dr., ’95 Mary D. Connor, Hous- 3/14/09. Ave. N.W., Washington, DC ams Dr., Austin, TX 78753). woods Way, Wesley Chapel, 25304). Smithfield, VA 23430). before being hired there full ton, Texas, a son, 2/3/10. ’02 Kylie Felps Draucker, 20016). ’44 John C. Gray, 12/20/09 FL 33543). ’57 Carlton E. Ryan, ’64 Robert H. Lindsay III, time—volunteered to deploy. ’95 Kristie L. Nichols, Midlothian, Va., a son, ’40 Benjamin A. Williams (3004 Downing St., Wil- ’50 James H. Pruitt, 1/15/10 (3156 Tomaranne 12/6/09 (P.O. Box 1727, Blue Ridge, Va., a son, 7/17/09. Jr., 1/16/10 (22445 Linden liamsburg, VA 23185). 7/29/09 (2712 Houston Dr. S.W., Roanoke, VA Gloucester, VA 23061). The role of the cultural 10/30/09. ’02 Robert T. Garnett, St., Courtland, VA 23837). ’44 Robert E. McGhee, Branch Rd., Charlotte, NC 24018). ’65 Bennie A. Clemmer, ’95 Ami J. VanDeventer, Norfolk, Va., a daughter, ’41 W.C. Buchanan, 1/2/10 (22 54th St., Gulf- 28270). ’57 Joseph W. Sabol, 12/2/09 (1730 Wind Haven intelligence team is to inform Louisville, Colo., a daughter, 1/20/10. 11/24/09 (450 Keller Ln., port, MS 39507). ’50 Pietro Reck, 11/27/09 1/17/10 (8860 Bridger Way, Vienna, VA 22182). Marines about the mindset Larissa Mihalisko 12/22/09. ’02 Stephen P. Janoschka Marion, VA 24354). ’44 Shreve S. Woltz, (213 Primrose Dr., Blacks- Canyon Rd., Bozeman, MT ’65 Royall B. Smithey, ’96 Claire L. Blevins, Rich- Jr. and ’03 Macel Hubbard ’41 Claude A. Harper, 11/27/09 (8454 Boulder burg, VA 24060). 59715). 1/3/10 (105 Fisher’s Shore of the locals and identify which cultural factors may impact military mond, Va., a son, 6/29/09. Janoschka, Salem, Va., a 1/14/10 (1900 Hillsmere Hills Dr., Longmont, CO ’50 Arthur G. Sherrell Jr., ’57 C. Ray Wells, 1/26/10 Rd., Columbia, SC 29223). operations. After six months of Pashto language training, Mihalisko was ’97 Terra M. Schaden- son, 10/29/2009. Ln., Apt. 147, Staunton, VA 80503). 7/17/09 (404 E. Merle Ct., (924 Lakemount Dr., Mo- ’66 James L. Stork, 1/7/10 Ireland, Walkersville, Md., a ’02 Christina Schiller 24401). ’45 John T. Harris Jr., San Leandro, CA 94577). neta, VA 24121). (P.O. Box 734, Crozet, VA deployed to support operations in the Helmand, Farah, and Nimruz son, 12/24/09. Kilduff and ’02 Robert S. ’41 David B. Keezell, 12/4/09 (7296 Woody Rd., ’50 Rollin P. White, ’57 Richmond T. Zehmer Jr., 22932). ’98 James P. Holzgrefe, Kilduff, Hilton Head Island, 9/4/09 (2604 Central Ave., Gloucester, VA 23061). 1/18/10 (2112 S. Main St., 2/10/10 (1551 Mt. Vernon ’67 Betty R. Mahan, provinces. She now holds the title of “Afghan culture analyst and Pashto Fort Belvoir, Va., a daughter, S.C., a daughter, 12/15/09. Alexandria, VA 22302). ’45 Edwin P. Ketchum P.O. Box 76, Graham, NC St., Petersburg, VA 23805). 12/8/09 (P.O. Box 283, linguist” for the Marine Expeditionary Brigade. 10/20/09. ’02 Bethany Lindsay Schil- ’41 Charles O. Schobel Jr., Jr., 11/24/09 (1692 Old 27253). ’58 Patsy Steckler Bean, Chatham, VA 24531). ’98 Ryan D. Johnson, ler and ’02 Noah H. Schiller, 1/31/10 (1843 North Akin Glory Blvd., Melbourne, FL ’51 Jacob R. Berger, 12/10/09 (1235 Roanoke ’67 Martin R. Wittersheim, Of the many rewarding aspects of her job, Mihalisko particularly Plymouth, Mass., a son, Yorktown, Va., a daughter, Dr. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30345). 32940). 1/10/10 (Apt. E206, 13180 Blvd., Salem, VA 24153). 1/23/10 (5201 Watercrest 6/25/09. 8/19/09. ’41 Welford A. Sherman Jr., ’45 Robert C. Morehead Jr., Dorman Rd., Pineville, NC ’58 John R. Davidson, Rd., Midlothian, VA 23112). enjoys working directly with Marines and Afghans, which requires her ’98 Sara Grove Jordan, ’03 Matthew S. Britt and 1/20/10 (Apt. 441, 12401 12/14/09 (Condo 72, 1055 28134-9025). 1/26/10 (8700 E. University ’68 Harry W. Johnson, to understand both Marine Corps operations and the ideologies of the Fishersville, Va., a son, ’03 Sarah Breeding Britt, Gayton Rd., Henrico, VA E. 900 S., St. George, UT ’51 Edward T. Creger, Dr., Mesa, AZ 85207). 1/21/10 (13922 Old Cox 5/15/09. Virginia Beach, Va., a son, 23238). 84790). 12/13/09 (Apt. 3305, 98 ’58 Richard F. Harrington, Rd., South Hill, VA 23970). locals. ’99 Courtney Briggs 1/10/10. ’42 H.G. Alley Jr., 1/22/10 ’45 Martha King Neate, Whitlock Ave. N.W., Marietta, 10/2/09 (100 Whitehouse ’69 Sally Robinson Hampton and ’00 Brian E. ’03 Benjamin A. Sady and (241 Bay Colony Dr., Virginia 12/8/09 (3555 Heritage Cir. GA 30064). Dr., Poquoson, VA 23662). Browning, 12/6/09 (1242 “I am surprised every day at how the Marines are able to get the job Hampton, Richmond, Va., a ’03 Shannon O’Neill Sady, Beach, VA 23451). S.W., Roanoke, VA 24015). ’51 G.W. DeHaven, ’58 Josephine E. King, Clearview Cir., Allentown, PA done well, despite this being a very unconventional operating environ- daughter, 12/22/09. Midlothian, Va., a son, ’42 John H. Ball Jr., ’45 J. Knox Pannill Jr., 12/2/09 (1328 Clay St., 1/31/10 (249 Low Bridge 18103). ’99 Sean T. Hoffman, 2/12/10. 11/19/09 (404 Havenwood 2/1/10 (Apt. 119B, 2460 Franklin, VA 23851). Ln., Lexington, VA 24450). ’69 D.M. King, 11/27/09 ment for them,” she says. Walden, N.Y., a son, ’03 Vival S. Weatherford Jr., Ln., Walkerton, VA 23177). Village Ln., Billings, MT ’51 Edmundson L. Dicker- ’58 C. Edward Wrenn Jr., (501 Farms Rd., McKinney, Mihalisko sits inside the locals’ homes and experiences everyday life 11/10/09. and ’04 Jennifer Fox Weath- ’42 Richard G. Broun, 59102). son, 12/11/09 (900 Tyson 9/23/09 (79 Cypress Blvd. TX 75069). ’99 Jeffrey A. Holmes, erford, Richmond, Va., a son, 11/22/09 (c/o Kenneth O. ’45 Ernest Saunders, Dr., Pawleys Island, SC W., Homosassa, FL 34446). ’69 George W. Preston, in Afghanistan. One night, a shopkeeper, one of the first to return to his Chicopee, Mass., a son, 12/16/09. Broun, 1500 Front Cove Ct., 12/15/09 (365 Arrow Ln., 29585). ’59 Leland F. Cornwell, 11/28/09 (3905 W. Grace 12/29/09. ’05 Gabrielle Horton Everett Virginia Beach, VA 23454). Wytheville, VA 24382). ’51 Allison G. Glover, 11/27/09 (1125 S. Home- St, Richmond, VA 23230). city after being displaced, played music on several instruments for her. ’99 Rodelito G. Homoroc and ’05 Thane W. Everett, ’42 James W. Green Jr., ’45 Raymond E. Toms, 1/15/10 (5815 Williams- wood Dr., Charleston, WV ’69 Richard L. Thomas, Fredericksburg, Va., a son, Under the Taliban, this was strictly prohibited. Jr. and ’02 Nikole M. 12/20/09 (1271 Wyndham 12/11/09 (P.O. Box 948, burg Landing Dr., Williams- 25314). 12/17/09 (910 Canteberry Giraldi, Fredericksburg, Va., 4/8/09. Pine Dr., Apopka, FL 32712). Deltaville, VA 23043). burg, VA 23185). ’59 H. Jack Spencer, Ln., Smithfield, VA 23430). The Afghans around Mihalisko continue to impress her. “I have a daughter, 10/09. ’05 Benjamin K. Sova- ’42 A. Ray Pentecost Jr., ’46 Charles F. Ballou III, ’51 J.S. Paxson Jr., 1/10/10 12/16/09 (812 Crestview ’70 Terry G. Ferguson, ’99 Chadwick E. Meade cool and ’09 Kelly Siman 12/25/09 (1530 Blanford 11/19/09 (1520 Linden (8714 Waxford Rd., Rich- Dr., Madison, AL 35758). 1/18/10 (P.O. Box 1049, learned so much from them over the last several months about history, and ’00 Misty Wiley Sovacool, Canton, Ohio, a Cir., Norfolk, VA 23505). Ave., Clifton Forge, VA mond, VA 23235). ’60 Jerry T. Ferguson, Mechanicsville, VA 23111). daughter, 7/23/09. tribalism, war, forgiveness, and determination,” she says, adding that Meade, Denver, Colo., a ’42 Samuel G. Spangler, 24422). ’51 Charles R. Poole Jr., 12/2/09 (13603 Winter- ’70 H.S. Patterson, 4/16/09 son, 10/2/09. ’05 Brian C. Wells and ’06 1/31/10 (Apt. 534, 300 ’46 Lawrence D. Ham- 1/3/10 (2059 Manor Dr., berry Ridge, Midlothian, VA (1512 Carnage Dr., Raleigh, these lessons are best understood over a “cup of chai.” ’00 Brian C. Okerberg and Amy Ducut Wells, Mechanic- Westminster Canterbury Dr., ner Jr., 12/26/09 (2100 Lexington, KY 40502). 23112). NC 27610). sville, Va., a son, 1/18/10. ’00 Laura Pollard Oker- Winchester, VA 22603). Dispatch Rd., Quinton, VA ’52 P.W. Hanson, 12/4/09 ’60 Peter E. Lewis, ’71 Brian D. Holm, 7/27/09 Mihalisko took a spirit of service overseas. “Virginia Tech’s commit- berg, Gibsonia, Pa., a son, ’06 Brian R. Dudrow and ’42 Jordan B. Wheeler Jr., 23141). (506 Elizabeth Lake Dr., 12/23/09 (133 Reflection (3217 Oak Borough Run, ment to service is unique and continues to drive what I do,” she says. 1/17/10. ’06 Lindsey Weise Dudrow, 1/12/10 (3526 Mt. Carmel ’48 John L. Amato, 1/6/10 Hampton, VA 23669). Ln., Hampton, VA 23666). Fort Wayne, IN 46804). ’01 Julie Cobb Accamando Minneapolis, Minn., a daugh- Rd., Upperco, MD 21155). (3106 Ardsley Dr., Orlando, ’52 Roy H. Jennings, Inspired by her parents, who were Cold War journalists; her Marching and ’01 Matthew R. Ac- ter, 12/29/09. ’43 Fanning M. Baumgard- FL 32804). 12/12/09 (120 The Green, ’07 Daniel M. Maine, Pen- Virginians director, Dave McKee; and her professors, Mihalisko wants camando, Canonsburg, Pa., ner, 5/28/09 (15 Bellview ’48 William L. Rodman, Williamsburg, VA 23185). a daughter, 6/1/09. sacola, Fla., a son, 8/12/09. Ln., Washington, VA 22747). 1/7/10 (250 Pantops Moun- ’52 Paul F. Maine, 9/18/09 Hokie Business Showcase to continue the tradition of service by one day teaching at Virginia Tech. ’01 Mark C. Bigley and ’03 ’43 C. H. Carter Jr., tain Rd., Apt. 331, Charlot- (1700 Gulf Blvd., Apt. 111, Giselle Bergeret Bigley, 11/20/09 (490 Shirley tesville, VA 22911). South Padre Island, TX She urges other recent alumni to use their skills to serve others. “Be- Anchorage, Alaska, a Plantation Rd., Charles City, ’48 Edward C. Turner, 78597). Advertise your business in Class Notes! daughter, 11/6/09. Deaths VA 23030). 11/30/09 (Unit 104, 6696 ’52 Wendell A. Smith, Contact us at [email protected] for ing young is not an excuse for doing nothing, and … hard work coupled ’01 Brian K. Cabacar, ’32 William E. Betts Jr., ’43 Constantine K. Gea- Club House Ln., Warrenton, 12/26/09 (5401 Ferndale with a good support network can open wonderful opportunities.” Woodbridge, Va., a son, 12/29/09 (P.O. Box 11929, neas, 1/18/10 (176 Deep VA 20187). St., Springfield, VA 22151). rates and more information. 2/1/10. Lynchburg, VA 24506). Woods Way, Ormond Beach, ’49 John A. Hawkins, ’52 Lewis N. Springer, Chelsea Newman (English ‘10) is an intern with Virginia Tech ’01 Mary Ellen Braswell ’33 J. Kyle Montague III, FL 32174). 12/22/09 (1248 Eyrie View 2/5/10 (759 Cedar Crest Restricted to alumni-owned businesses. Duy, Alexandria, Va., a son, 9/11/09 (2418 Williams St., ’43 Richard H. Hawkes, Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24503). Dr., Unit B, Warrenton, VA Magazine. 8/13/09. Bellingham, WA 98225). 1/31/10 (4321 Thorough- ’49 Otis L. Hurt, 12/24/09 20186).

44 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 45 Class Notes In Retrospect

’71 William K. McDonald, ’05 Lisa M. McCoig, 2/6/10 Hats off to true friendship 1/30/10 (551 Elmwood Ave., (835 Claytor Sq, Blacksburg, Lynchburg, VA 24503). VA 24060). ’72 Richard C. Albert, ’06 George W. Humphrey, 11/17/09 (554 Lafayette 12/26/09 (Office of the Uni- Ave., West Trenton, NJ versity Registrar, 250 Student 08628). Services Building, Blacksburg, ’72 Robert J. Poux Jr., VA 24061). 1/26/10 (108 Stoneleigh Dr., ’06 Andrew J. Woodward, Cary, NC 27511). 2/3/10 (2304 LaSalle Dr., ’73 Frank W. Haden, West Lawn, PA 19609). 1/21/10 (1229 S. High St., ’07 Travis F. Campbell, Harrisonburg, VA 22801). 1/10/10 (10 Bridgenorth Ln., ’75 Michael R. Eanes, San Antonio, TX 78218). 1/1/10 (104 Dove Ln., Mar- ’07 David W. Epp, 1/20/10 tinsville, VA 24112). (12614 Glenbrooke Woods ’75 Hugh V. Ferguson, Dr., Herndon, VA 20171). 12/25/09 (2836 Marellan ’09 Mark K. Abdallah, Ave., Bluefield, WV 24701). 2/16/10 (Office of the Univer- ’76 Anna Malin Hoehn, sity Registrar, Virginia Tech, 12/17/09 (202 Musket Ln., Blacksburg, VA 24061). Locust Grove, VA 22508). Class of 2013 Jacquelyn ’76 Stephen H. Smith, E. Bruhn, 2/27/10 (9114

N icho l a s R ice 11/27/09 (102 Madison Ln. John Way, Fairfax Station, VA N., Newport News, VA 23606). 22039). ’77 John E. Davey III, 9/1/09 U.S. Navy Ensign Zach- (8205 Pettit Ct., McLean, VA ary Eckhart (aerospace 22102). engineering ’08), a 2007 ’77 Marilyn Helmeyer Hamil- graduate of the Virginia Tech ton, 10/5/09 (128 Kerryton Corps of Cadets, was killed Rd., Columbia, SC 29223). April 12, 2010, in the crash ’77 Frederick F. Pearson II, of his T-39 training aircraft in Georgia. Eckhart was a During one summer break, seven Virginia Tech students— 12/6/09 (223 Morgan Ln., member of the Regimental Warsaw, VA 22572). Band and the Highty-Tight- (pictured left to right, back row then front row) Janet Hoffman Szoch ’77 Robert H. Penn, ies, and served as the 3rd (management, housing, and family development ’82), Joy Todd Calkins 11/28/09 (5459 Linda Ln. Battalion academics officer S.W., Roanoke, VA 24018). for the spring semester of Stuart K. Cassell (public administration ’82), Kim Way (marketing management ’82), Liz ’78 Betty L. Bobbitt, 12/8/09 his senior year. He is remem- bered by the senior band Erickson Foit (communication ’82), Linda Robichaud Serpe (art ’82), (1507 McArthur Ave., Lehigh cadets, who were freshmen Acres, FL 33972). when Eckhart was a senior, Liza Davis (psychology ’83), and Mary Upchurch Kruger (animal sci- ’79 David W. DeHart, 1/4/10 as always smiling and (407 Eighth St., Radford, VA positive about everything campus, but the governor believed that ence ’82)—rented a beach house in Ocean City, Md. 24141). he did. A Pylon Dedication Tech’s gutsy go-to guy ’79 Michael M. Heller Jr., Ceremony will be scheduled investing in one would waste taxpayers’ Along with their suntans, the group developed a bond that has last- in spring 2011 and more 12/9/09 (5959 Annunciation will be posted on the corps’ by Clara B. Cox M.A. ’84 money. Undaunted, Cassell had nine ed three decades. Despite living miles apart and having plenty of adult St., New Orleans, LA 70115). website as details become ’79 David Z. Walker, available. turf-grass test plots constructed that obligations, they still gather at least once a year—usually at a beach—to 11/24/09 (4046 Fairway Dr., Medina, OH 44256). Col. Richard Franklin were then connected by stretches of grass celebrate their extraordinary friendship. Wilkinson, 89, of Williams- You can’t walk far on the Virginia Tech campus without ’81 Warren J. Burch, burg, Va., died on May 14, resembling fairways. When the governor They call themselves the Orange Hat Girls because of their tradi- 11/25/09 (1105 S. Groveland spotting a building or feature that bears the mark of Stuart 2010. The 1942 forestry objected to the use of state funds for a tion of wearing matching beach hats that Serpe bought for the group Dr., Bluefield, WV 24701). alumnus earned a Bronze ’82 Ramons Miezis, Star and a Silver Star for Kent Cassell, chief business officer and later vice president for golf facility, Cassell reportedly said, “Gov- before their 2005 gathering. 11/15/09 (4017 Laytonsville heroic actions while leading Rd., Olney, MD 20832). troops in Africa during WWII. administration at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) as it ernor, show me in our books where VPI “I couldn’t find seven in any other color, but over the years orange He led an infantry battalion ’84 Kathleen Lacey Henne, in taking Mount Venere in spent any money on a golf course.” has come to symbolize the bond of our friendship, which began at Vir- 8/11/09 (12210 Kyler Ln., Italy, which earned his bat- morphed into a major university. Herndon, VA 20171). talion the Presidential Unit Perhaps being one of 12 children ginia Tech,” says Serpe, of Virginia Beach, Va. “We’ll be friends for life.” ’89 Joan M. Baruffaldi, Citation, indicating that each According to Bennett Cassell (dairy science ’68, dairy cattle 11/5/09 (29 Robin Rd., man in the unit deserved the taught Cassell how to work his way Davis says that even when she lived in California she made it a Lynnfield, MA 01940). Distinguished Service Cross. genetics M.S. ’72), a recently retired Tech professor of dairy through obstacles to reach goals. Born in ’91 Donna Brewer Conner, His division saw more days priority to reunite on special occasions like weddings. Since she moved of combat than any other science and Stuart’s nephew, his uncle “had a vision of Virginia 1910, he grew up on a farm near Rural 1/24/10 (6124 Jordantown American division in the war. to Cary, N.C., getting together has been a bit easier. Rd., Vinton, VA 24179). Wilkinson was a long-time Tech as bigger than an agricultural and engineering school.” Retreat, Va. His father, Sidney “S.S.” “These women have been such a wonderful part of my life,” Davis ’92 Bradley E. Jones, supporter of the Virginia 2/17/10 (606 Binnacle Dr., Tech Corps of Cadets; he Cassell, was a farmer and teacher who says. “I feel very fortunate.” Naples, FL 34103). and his late wife, Margaret, ’98 Deborah Rhatigan, are recognized in the Com- encouraged his children to go to college. Kruger, of Olney, Md., says the group has celebrated multiple mar- 12/10/09 (5509 Briercliff mandant’s Circle for giving Stuart worked hard to realize that of the Virginia Tech Foundation, who Some attended colleges in Salem, Va.; riages and the births of 19 children but also has offered consolation Rd., Knoxville, TN 37918). more than $1 million. ’00 Shane A. Leone, 2/2/10 According to his obituary, vision, but turning it into reality was not worked for Cassell and succeeded him five went to VPI, including Stuart, who though divorces, illness, and tragedy. (11167 Soldier Ct., Manassas, Wilkinson briefly pursued VA 20109). graduate studies at VPI after easy. “The university was more under the as secretary-treasurer of the foundation, enrolled in animal husbandry in 1928. “I tell my daughters, ‘Know who your real friends are, people that ’03 Adam L. Boardway, WWII before rejoining the oversight of the state government then, another of Cassell’s creations. In college, Cassell was active in 11/24/09 (503 Victoria Dr., U.S. Army for a distinguished stick with you in good times and bad, people you can count on,”’ says 26-year career. After he and Stuart spent a lot of his time figuring Sometimes, that “figuring out” agricultural organizations; in sports, an Montgomeryville, PA 18936). retired, he served as the Kruger, a mother of two. “I always use this group of women as an ’04 Thomas J. Gray, 1/12/10 chairman of the York County out how to get things done,” says Ray involved superior gamesmanship. For interest he maintained throughout his (501 Aldersmead Rd., Rich- Industrial Development example.” mond, VA 23232). Authority from 1981-90. Smoot, university treasurer and COO instance, Cassell wanted a golf course on life; and in the corps of cadets, where he

46 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine Summer 2010 47 In Retrospect Don’t you wishyou could invent the future?

attained the rank of lieutenant. But he During his latter 31 years of em- also found time for tomfoolery, joining ployment at VPI, enrollment grew from several other upperclassmen in taking 738 to 17,740, and he was involved in the laundry bags of some freshmen to the construction of 36 major buildings fill with apples from the college orchard. and the renovation of another 15. He When school officials discovered the played a key role in raising money to would-be thieves in the act, writes Harry construct the War Memorial Chapel Temple in The Bugle’s Echo, the cadets and today’s Alumni Mall, which involved fled, abandoning the bags. Cassell wanted a 10,000-seat arena, the destruction of numerous large trees. “The rats whose names were on the but the state would only approve Facing strong opposition from students bags,” Temple continues, “were called 8,000 seats. “The reason the seats and townspeople, Cassell ordered a are so small,” Smoot notes, “is before the commandant but, of course, because Stuart put 10,000 in a contractor to begin cutting the trees one knew nothing of the episode.” The com- space designed for 8,000.” day at 6 a.m. By 8 a.m., they were down. mandant never learned who the real “You never saw such fussing and fuming, culprits were. Even in later life, Smoot but there wasn’t anything they could do recalls, Cassell had “a little mischievous to get things done. As an example of his about it then,” he later said. streak in him.” quickly acquired standing in the college, When he and Hahn orchestrated Cassell graduated with honors in when Hutcheson was hospitalized in late the rise of the athletic program, Cas- 1932 and earned a master’s degree in 1946, Cassell and Newman, then the vice sell developed the physical plant, agricultural economics in 1933. He spent president, shared the presidential duties. which included Lane Stadium and the the next six years teaching agricultural Cassell was a complex man, as coliseum. “Stuart concocted the idea to economics at his alma mater. During that evidenced by the litany of adjectives build a coliseum and to get it funded time, he married childhood friend Cath- used to describe him: soft-spoken but as a student activity center so the state erine Neff; the couple had three sons. direct, caring, gentle, gruff, authoritar- would put up the money,” Smoot recalls. In 1939, he accepted a position as ian, compassionate, dedicated, effective, Cassell wanted a 10,000-seat arena, director of the Agricultural Adjustment brusque, persistent, hard-nosed, loyal, but the state would only approve 8,000 Administration in Virginia. Cassell dependable, and even sneaky. Lavery seats. “The reason the seats are so small,” turned his program, which regulated called him “a man of great strength, Smoot notes, “is because Stuart put the sale of farm commodities at pre-set integrity, and vision.” Those traits and his 10,000 in a space designed for 8,000.” prices, into a model for the country. work ethic—“If you want to get ahead, Cassell died unexpectedly on Oct. In 1945, he received a lucrative job you have to work a little harder than 6, 1976. A month later, the board of offer from the Federal Land Bank in anybody else,” he once said—ensured his visitors passed a resolution renam- Washington, D.C., but it was trumped by success. His willingness to bend the rules ing University Coliseum the Stuart K. one from John R. Hutcheson, who was also played a significant part. “He knew,” to recognize his role acting VPI president. Hutcheson offered Smoot says, “how to get things done,” a in making the facility a reality and to him a position as financial and business trait that led Hahn to call him a “giant of express the university’s “deep apprecia- manager, effective March 1, 1945. “When the university” and Lavery to see him as tion and gratitude for his untiring work, I took the position,” Cassell later said, “it “larger than life.” outstanding leadership, and unfailing Each year, more than 40,000 people join together to do seemed as if I got the duties no one else Cassell met challenges head-on. good humor.” exactly that. They support students, help fund innovative pro- wanted to do.” Faced with the need to house an influx of Cassell devoted his worklife to his He quickly turned his job into one of veterans at the end of World War II, he vision of the modern university and, grams, and enrich the educational experience for every Hokie. power, prestige, and persuasion, working set up temporary lodging in war-surplus in the process, affected the physical And they are doing it one gift—and one year—at a time. seven days a week and earning the confi- buildings at nearby Radford Arsenal and growth of Virginia Tech more than any dence of presidents John R. Hutcheson, filled three locations on campus with of the four presidents he served. Today’s When you make annual gifts to any area at Virginia Tech—large or Walter S. Newman, T. Marshall Hahn trailers. Veterans dubbed one of the trail- campus stands as mute testimony to the small—you become a part of something much larger. You become a part Jr., and William E. Lavery, all of whom er parks, located in the vicinity of today’s efficacy of that vision—and his unre- of a loyal group of Hokie supporters who share your love for the university. valued his vision and relied on his ability Cassell Coliseum, “Cassell Heights.” lenting drive to make it a reality. And the generosity of those thousands of annual givers drives us forward and shapes our path. It is inventing our future … one gift at a time. 48 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu

VTUD Ad | VTmag.indd 1 2/17/10 5:23 PM Virginia Tech Prsrt Std 105 Media Building (0109) US Postage Blacksburg, VA 24061 PAID Lynchburg, VA Permit No. 349 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY STATE AND INSTITUTE POLYTECHNIC VIRGINIA www.alumni.vt.edu/reunion homecomings and reunions. See page35foralistoffall you! just for tailored don’t missacelebration ago, five or50years Tech Virginia from graduated you Whether

Jim Stroup