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magazine v 11 fall 20fall

HOW Virginia Tech WAS Won Fisticuffs, growing pains, and the Hokie way

Comfort Food 21st-century Extension A resurgence in local foods The enduring relevance of and urban gardening Virginia Cooperative Extension

Message from the President Contents Fall 2011 Vol. 34, No. 1

Virginia Tech, 14 5 Ways to Foil Online Thieves A Job-Development Don’t draw a bull’s-eye on your (virtual) chest. Keep yourself protected when it comes 18 to computer security. From Facebook no-no’s and password strength to the latest cyber- threats, Virginia Tech experts weigh in on an issue that won’t go away until the FarmVille Engine by charles w. steger ’69 cows come home. 18 Comfort Food: A resurgence in local foods and urban gardening Recently, the Commonwealth of Virginia deservedly gar- Supplying graduates to firms, small and large, around the In response to a growing sense of disconnect between the consumer and the food nered yet another award for its business-friendly policies and globe, Virginia Tech prepares students who are in high demand. producer and in the wake of food-related public health crises, local foods and urban reputation. Organizations such as Forbes and CNBC, among But the strong tech sector deserves special notice here. No longer gardening are taking root as safer, more transparent, and more sustainable approaches others, have singled out Virginia for its strong job-creation an “emerging” component of the local economy, technology com- to food production. climate. If universities were accorded such accolades, I suspect panies comprise 18 percent of regional employment, according 24 21st-century Extension: The enduring rele- that Virginia Tech would be near the top of the list, too. to a 2009 study by the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council vance of Virginia Cooperative Extension Land-grant universities like Tech began in order to make (RBTC). The local economy added 382 new tech companies Extension has come far since it sprang from a few demonstration farms and corn and America’s farms and factories more productive and so always between 2002 and 2009, growing from 1,312 to 1,694 business tomato clubs near the turn of the century. Almost 100 years later, Virginia Cooperative have had strong programs linked to job development. Virginia units. These new businesses are concentrated in four categories: Extension weathers changing times and budget cuts, continuing to fulfill its mission of 24 putting university knowledge to practice across the commonwealth. Tech takes it a step further into the 21st century. We proudly computer/networks; systems engineering; software development; cultivate our entrepreneurial culture and institutional focus on and scientific, engineering, or technical consulting. 30 How Virginia Tech Was Won: Fisticuffs, growing job creation. Total tech-sector employment in the region approaches pains, and the Hokie way Indicators abound. The Virginia Tech Corporate Research 40,000 jobs. From my standpoint, the RBTC study yielded this An 1878 dispute over how Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College—now Virginia Center (CRC), the most visible manifestation of the academy/ very important fact: Proximity to Virginia Tech and its talent Tech—should be structured ended in a fistfight between President Charles L.C. Minor jobs linkage, just completed its successful 25-year build-out of was the most frequently mentioned factor for prompting busi- and the commandant of cadets, Gen. James H. Lane. The quarrel made headlines in the original concept. Now home to more than 140 companies in nesses to locate to the region. its day—and brought to the forefront a debate that would shape the university com- munity for years to come. 1 million square feet of space and employing more than 2,200 Alumni who have been gone for more than a few years people, the CRC is entering its next phase by creating facilities might be surprised by the vibrant entrepreneurial business 37 Living Pylons: Why We Fight that will more than double the current research park’s size. sector in Blacksburg and Southwest Virginia. There is a strong In the first of an ongoing series featuring alumni-penned essays about living the Pylon The newly formed Virginia Tech Carilion Research Insti- business-development infrastructure. Outside venture funds are values, Capt. George Flynn (business information technology ’01) discusses how a Hokie tute already has snagged some of the nation’s leading scholars taking notice and making headway. The CRC and VT Knowl- football-inspired lunch pail became a symbol of service for Echo Company Marines. and scientists; its annual budget exceeds $20 million and grows edgeWorks also serve as venture funds. VT KnowledgeWorks, rapidly with each new research contract. With the emergence a full-spectrum business acceleration center, currently is work- 40 Alumnus builds a city in the hills of Palestine 30 of the institute’s partner, the Virginia Tech Carilion School ing with more than 60 firms at all stages of corporate maturity Building a city from scratch is no easy task anywhere in the world, let alone in Pales- tine, where lasting peace is hard to come by. Yet Bashar Masri (chemical engineering of Medicine, as well as the fact that the CRC-based Virginia to launch them into the marketplace. ’83) isn’t worried about the obstacles—a resolve that’s indicative of his commitment to College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates more than 200 doc- Additionally, the RBTC actively nurtures startups and pro- growth and development in his native country. tors annually, this region is positioned to develop a significant motes the region to attract tech companies. The Virginia Tech medical technology infrastructure and biomedical clusters. We Foundation invests in venture funds, often with the proviso that 48 Alumni Association News Letters to the Editor . . . . 2 expect to see spin-offs or high-tech firms quickly attracted to the funds work with local businesses. Indeed, the foundation page 49: Commentary Around the Drillfield . . . . 3 page 50: 2010-11 Alumni Association Annual Report the area. is engaged with many economic development ventures, too nu- How Tech Ticks ...... 10 When Rolls-Royce elected to make its $170 million invest- merous to mention here. Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties page 52: Alumni Association awards page 54: 2012 Drillfield Series Professor Profile . . . . . 12 ment in its first U.S. aircraft engine component factory built maintains and markets a portfolio of university scholars’ inven- page 55: Alumni travel tours Corps of Cadets . . . . . 17 from the ground up, it cited access to intellectual capital at tions. [Editor’s note: In future issues, Virginia Tech Magazine Philanthropy ...... 44 Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia as decision driv- will present a more in-depth picture of the university’s role as a ers. Working with Rolls-Royce, our universities will develop a catalyst of economic development.] Book Notes ...... 56 Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing near the Actively inventing the future, your university is playing a DEPARTMENTS Class Notes ...... 59 On the cover: The dispute between President Charles L.C. Minor and Gen. company’s plant south of Petersburg and a jet propulsion lab vital role in creating the jobs of today and tomorrow. This short James H. Lane, the commandant of cadets, resulted in a fistfight at an here on campus. Eventually, Rolls-Royce expects to employ as column just scratches the surface. Contact us for ways in which 1878 faculty senate meeting and left an indelible impression on Virginia many as 500 people in Virginia. you can be part of the Virginia Tech job-development engine. Agricultural and Mechanical College. Illustration by Steven White ’92.

Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 1 Letters to the Editor Around the Drillfield

Virginia Tech Magazine Architecture memories Pete Dye River Hardwick said the “champion- Fall 2011, Vol. 34, No. 1 The article “The Raw Course ranked No. 9 ship layout and the first-class Editor Materials of Creativity” in in college courses facilities afforded with it have Jesse Tuel the summer edition of Vir- The Pete Dye River Course helped the Hokies remain Assistant Editor ginia Tech Magazine was of competitive in an extremely Denise Young at Virginia Tech earned high considerable interest to me. I competitive conference and col- Art Director marks from Golfweek magazine Robin Dowdy [earned bachelor’s and mas- when the publication ranked legiate golf landscape.” Graphic Designers ter’s degrees] in architectural Tech’s course ninth among cam- Tiffany Pruden, David Stanley engineering in 1942 and was pus golf courses. Built in 1998 New lecture series Creative Services Manager on the faculty of the depart- brings medical Glen Duncan and renamed The Pete Dye Riv- ment from 1947-59. science to life Graduate assistants and interns er Course of Virginia Tech in Rommelyn Conde, Olivia Kasik, In the time before and 2006, the course climbed from The biology of the crimi- Chad O’Kane M.A. ’11 after World War II, the De- its position at No. 18 in Golf- nal mind, the development Copy Editors of childhood obesity, and the Juliet Crichton, partment of Architectural En- week’s ranking last year—mak- Richard Lovegrove gineering was on the top floor ing it the fastest riser on the list mechanisms of chronic pain The tiniest tackler went about his day in North- Webmaster of Patton Hall. There we were and the highest-ranked Atlantic are among the many topics that Juliet Crichton My husband, Seth Milans ern Virginia. assigned a desk and a stool. Coast Conference course. will be explored in a new series Contributors (finance ’03), and I have two Teddy was a true Hokie To that, we brought our draft- The course hosted the of scientific talks in Roanoke. Juliet Crichton, George Flynn ’01, young children. Our baby, football player throughout Dave Hunt, Richard Lovegrove, ing equipment, paper, and art 2011 NCAA Regional Golf Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Albert Raboteau, Rock Teddy, has left torticollis, the process too; he was tough, Roszak ’71, Michael supplies needed to engage in Tournament and received a Carilion Research Institute, which caused him to favor unfazed, and threw his body Sutphin ’06, Susan Trulove creative work. By contrast, to- nearly perfect 4 1/2 star rating the Distinguished Visiting looking to his right and created around like he’d been playing Photographers day, computers have programs from the readers of Golf Digest Scholars Series will feature top Michael Kiernan, John a noticeable flat spot on the lunch-pail defense since birth. McCormick, Jim Stroup, that allow one to produce a magazine in their “Best Places experts from across the country right side of his head. He had We are so proud to say that Ryan Stone three-dimensional image that to Play” poll for 2011. Five sets throughout the academic to wear a DOC band 23 hours Teddy finally graduated from Business Manager can be put through changes of tees along 2.5 miles of the year. Each visiting scholar will Paula Vaught a day to reshape his head. his DOC band [in July], but as one wishes. And that can New River provide a prime present two free lectures—one Alumni Notes The band is a time-intensive, that Hokie spirit will always jim stroup tailored to the public and a Shirley Fleet be done while relaxing in an destination for golfers. expensive process, but parents exude from his beautifully Virginia Tech golf coach Jay second, more technical one. Director of Marketing office chair! and Publications can have some fun with it by shaped head. Melissa Richards Students in the studios decorating the band. Seth Sarah Milans ’03 Associate Vice President would bring radios to play and I had no doubts how we Herndon, Va. for University Relations And the winner is… 6) “Mockingjay,” Suzanne Collins 5) “Juno” Larry Hincker ’72, M.B.A. ’94 while pursuing their creative- wanted to decorate Teddy’s The top 10 books and top 20 7) “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” 6) “No Country for Old Men” Vice President for Alumni Relations ness. But that would disturb DOC band—we made him a Do you have something Tom Tillar ’69 DVDs checked out from Newman Stieg Larsson 7) “Avatar” classes below. Hence, radios Hokie helmet! to say? Send us your 8) “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s 8) “Up” thoughts at [email protected]. Library in the 2010-11 academic Address changes and circulation were not to be played except Since he got the band Nest,” Stieg Larsson 9) “The Hurt Locker” inquiries should be mailed to the Virginia year give us a glimpse into the inter- Tech Alumni Association, Holtzman after supper. One student in early April, he has turned ests of the Virginia Tech community. 9) “Freedom,” Jonathan Franzen 10) “The Departed” Alumni Center (0102), Blacksburg, VA Virginia Tech does not discriminate against 24061, or sent via email to alumnidata@ was particularly defiant of heads and even gets “Go, employees, students, or applicants on 10) “The Hunger Games,” Suzanne 11) “Up in the Air” vt.edu. Alumni notes should be mailed the basis of age, color, disability, gender, 12) “Mad Men, Season Three” to Alumni Notes, Virginia Tech Alumni the rule. Professor [Clinton Hokies” cheers when we go national origin, political affiliation, race, Top 10 books Collins Association, Holtzman Alumni Center religion, sexual orientation or veteran 13) “Mad Men, Season Two” (0102), Blacksburg, VA 24061, or sent Harriman] Cowgill, whose into places like Target [and] status. The university is subject to Titles VI 1) “The Immortal Life of Henrietta via email to [email protected]. office was at the other end and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title Lacks,” Rebecca Skloot Top 20 DVDs 14) “WALL-E” Advertising opportunities are the grocery store. It taught IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, throughout the magazine, and alumni Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation 2) “The Girl Who Played with Fire,” 1) “Battlestar Galactica: The Com- 15) “Gladiator” of the hall, heard the sound. us that Hokie pride, tenacity, Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities may promote their businesses in the plete Series” 16) “V for Vendetta” Class Notes section. For advertising rates Consequently, he went to the optimism, and a parent’s love Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Stieg Larsson and information, contact [email protected]. Employment Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ 3) “Dog and Bear: Two Friends, 2) “Star Trek: The Next Generation: 17) “Pineapple Express” drafting room, picked up the can blend together in the most Readjustment Assistant Act of 1974, Federal Executive Order 11246, Virginia’s State Three Stories,” Laura Vaccaro The Complete Series” 18) “The Hangover” radio, and tossed it out the unexpected ways. Everyday Executive Order Number Two, and all other applicable rules and regulations. Anyone Seeger 3) “Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie 19) “The Bank Job” window. outings with Teddy became having questions concerning any of those regulations should contact the Office for 4) “Catching Fire,” Suzanne Collins Poulain” (Amélie from Mont- 20) “Charlie Wilson’s War” Bertram Y. Kinzey Jr. ’42 moments of laughter and Equity and Access, Southgate Center, Ste. 179 (0319), Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540- 5) “Never Let Me Go,” Kazuo martre) Lists compiled by Mary Lucado, circulation Blacksburg, Va. smiles as VT’s tiniest tackler 231- 9331. Ishiguro 4) “Cidade de Deus” (City of God) supervisor

2 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 3 Around the Drillfield Around the Drillfield

Student teaches weeklong clinic in Wiesbaden, Accepting Pitts- universities, according to the Stanford, Duke, Georgia officiating to Germany, followed by another burgh and Syracuse, ACC website. Tech, and Notre Dame. service members clinic in Vicenza, Italy, with ACC expands to 14 “The ACC has enjoyed Virginia Tech also ranked abroad the help of each base’s Army members a rich tradition by balanc- in the top 20 nationally for mid-career salaries of gradu- From July 18-23 in Morale, Welfare, and Recre- ing academics and athletics In September, the Atlan- ates of FBS schools. At No. Europe, a Virginia Tech ation program. At the end of and the addition of Pitt and tic Coast Conference (ACC) 14, Virginia Tech graduates Recreational Sports intramu- training, each service member Syracuse further strength- Council of Presidents voted to bring in an average mid-career ral sports graduate assistant in attendance was certified ens the ACC culture in this accept the University of Pitts- salary of $91,500. instructed and trained mili- to be a flag football official. burgh and Syracuse University regard,” said ACC Commis- Moreover, the ACC tary personnel to officiate flag Some participants were also as new members. The invita- sioner John Swofford in the ranked first among all 11 FBS football games. Jeff Feldhaus, certified to be clinicians so conference’s announcement. conferences for most money a second-year graduate for- they can teach the clinics at tion followed the submission of “Pittsburgh and Syracuse also earned by graduates in their JOH N M c CORMICK estry student in the College of their respective bases. letters of application from both serve to enhance the ACC’s initial jobs following gradu- Natural Resources and Envi- reach into the states of New ation, according to a study ronment, was part of the 2011 published by the website U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza York and Pennsylvania and Hokie robots dominate soccer challenge Payscale.com. The ACC also Flag Football Official Clinic geographically bridges our Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory placed No. 1 for mid-career team. The team hosted the footprint between Maryland (RoMeLa) dominated the RoboCup 2011 soccer competi- and Massachusetts. With the salaries of graduates, with an tion—winning the grand prix Louis Vuitton Humanoid average of $90,192. addition of Pitt and Syracuse, Cup, and taking first in the Adult-Size Robot and Kid-Sized To read more about the the ACC will cover virtually Robot divisions—in July 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. Winning ACC report, see page 29 at threatened to destroy the fruit lege of Agriculture and Life the entire Eastern seaboard of Reaping the the cup was a first for the United States. “This (win) has a http://bit.ly/r5Y6H6. For industry in the eastern United Sciences. Today, because of the United States.” harvest of W.B. significant symbolic meaning, showing the shift in the lead- further information on starting States. As part of his efforts, his efforts, Virginia Tech Alwood ers in humanoid robotics in the world,” said Dennis Hong, salaries and where Hokies are On Oct. 14, one of the he organized the Virginia students are able to study Salaries for Hokie employed after graduation, see associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of most recognizable landmarks State Horticultural Society, horticulture, plant pathology, alumni eclipse most Virginia Tech Career Services, RoMeLa. on Virginia Tech’s campus— which has been a major force and entomology. In 1927, university graduates http://www.career.vt.edu/ behind the industry ever he donated his vast personal What is the leading PostGraduationSurveyReport/ the bur oak in front of Bur- Doctoral student Jeakweon Han anxiously stands athletic conference in the na- PostGrad.html. russ Hall—was dedicated to since. In 1907, his leadership library to the university—a by as CHARLI 2 kicks a ball. tion? The resulting discussion W.B. Alwood, one of Virginia in viticulture was recognized collection that is still used might occupy rabid fans for an Researchers hurry Tech’s most famous scientists by the French government, today. Former university eternity. to gather quake and the man who planted the which awarded him the pres- President Julian Burruss In an interesting twist on tigious Merite Agricole medal noted that Alwood should V T I mage B ase, http://imagebase.lib. v t.edu data ahead of tree around 1900. rankings, the Atlantic Coast Hurricane Irene Alwood, a faculty mem- and the rank of officer. forever be remembered for W.B. Alwood Conference (ACC) released a The College of Engineer- ber from 1888-1904, was an In addition to these con- what he did to assist the report showing how schools ing’s James R. Martin II, a tributions to his profession, university in its early days. internationally recognized playing in the NCAA Foot- renowned expert on earth- Alwood left several important scientist, a reputation that ball Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quakes, was asked Aug. 26 to brought positive recogni- legacies at Virginia Tech. He For more information on compared on a metric other lead an investigative team of tion to the young institu- was the key to establishing Alwood and his legacy, visit than sports—starting salaries U.S. scientists and engineers tion. In 1897, he discovered the Virginia Agricultural htpp.ext.vt.edu/museum-of- of graduates. With an average to document aftereffects and managed an outbreak Experiment Station and laid pest-management. starting salary of $51,600 for of the Aug. 23 East Coast of an invasive insect that the foundation for the Col- graduates, Virginia Tech ranks earthquake centered near fifth in the nation, behind derek lahr Mineral, Va. With Hurricane

For these stories and more, check out VT News at Scientist awarded New molecule tested as a Robots online: See the Hokie Camp encourages Susan Wyche receives Skype www.vtnews.vt.edu. For a regular dose of news, sign $1 million grant to delivery vehicle to image, full story and videos at smooth transition to grant for human-computer up for the Virginia Tech Daily Email at the site. study origin of life kill brain tumors http://bit.ly/otz8hh. college for new students interaction research

4 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 5 Around the Drillfield Around the Drillfield

Preston’s new dinner menu ramps and includes a primary site school’s overall commitment to industry marker TOP500. The up quality with focus on fresh, local at Iowa State University and environmental issues. list is released twice a year, in ingredients now Virginia Tech. In addition, the univer- June and in November. The new dinner menu at Preston’s, the restaurant sity achieved a Silver Rating at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Student awarded from the Association for the Public health center Center, puts an emphasis on locally grown and grant to study Advancement of Sustain- formed at Tech produced foods and all-natural ingredients. “We have diabetes, obesity ability in Higher Education The Institute for Society, begun eliminating packaged or frozen products in Stephanie Nicole “Nikki” (AASHE) for performance Culture, and Environment at favor of local farm-to-table ingredients. Our menu will Lewis, a graduate student in the Sustainability Track- Virginia Tech announced the be updated with fresh, seasonal dishes reflecting in Virginia Tech’s interdis- ing, Assessment, and Rating formation of the Center for a refined American menu concept,” said food and ciplinary doctoral program System (STARS) Program. Public Health Practice and Re- beverage director Max Kiebach. in genetics, bioinformatics, Virginia Tech received an search, to be directed by Kathy and computational biol- overall score of 61.94, ap- Hosig, associate professor of ogy, received the prestigious proximately three points short population health sciences. Ruth L. Kirschstein National of the Gold Rating. Formerly the Institute for Community Health, the new Research Service Award for In spring 2011, Virginia center was created in response Predoctoral Research from the Tech announced its participa- to the increase in health-related National Institutes of Health. tion in the STARS rating research across campus and the The award is for her study of system in order to measure new master of public health J oh n M c C ormick a cellular signaling receptor progress made toward achiev- program. The center’s mission that is associated with chronic ing targets outlined in the is to foster interdisciplinary, Left to right, members of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team: John Saffran, Patrick inflammatory diseases such as Virginia Tech Climate Action collaborative public health Walsh, Lynn Gantt, Brad Bowman, John Ely, and Andy Karpin. All studied mechanical engineering and since have graduated. diabetes, obesity, and inflam- Commitment and Sustain- practice and research activities matory bowel disease. Because ability Plan adopted by the at Virginia Tech and among current drugs result in adverse board of visitors in 2009. external public health agencies, three-year design competition dents—overseen by mechanical Ninety percent of the gradu- J im stroup side effects, the search for organizations, practitioners, that sought to inspire science engineering Professor Doug ating students on the 2010-11 drugs targeting the receptor is Green500 list and researchers. and engineering students in Nelson—re-engineered a 2009 team found jobs right out of Irene making landfall Aug. Grumman, General Dynam- urgently needed. shows more super- the United States and Canada General Motors crossover school because of their expo- 27, his investigative team had ics Advanced Information computers going Students’ hybrid to build more energy-efficient SUV into a hybrid electric ve- sure to industry-leading soft- to move fast to take samples, Systems, and Verisign Labs, Tech receives high green vehicle wins EcoCAR automobiles. In all, the team of hicle that boasts the equivalent ware and hardware tools. “It create maps, and photograph Virginia Tech has received a marks for sustain- The newly released competition College of Engineering graduate of 82 miles per gallon. was an intense 2.5 years for regional damage to subsurface five-year continuing grant to ability Green500 List shows a con- Virginia Tech’s Hybrid and undergraduate students Prestige, cash prizes, and me, but in the end I am a far and infrastructure locations. establish a National Science Virginia Tech was named tinuing rapid improvement Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) won 14 awards. trophies were not the only better engineer because of the The earthquake measured Foundation Industry/Uni- one of 16 colleges on The in environmentally friendly won the EcoCAR Challenge, a Approximately 66 stu- benefits of the competition. experience that EcoCAR and supercomputers around 5.8 on the Richter magnitude versity Cooperative Research Princeton Review’s 2012 HEVT provided me,” said Green Rating Honor Roll. the world, according to Wu scale and was felt not only Center site for cybersecurity. Patrick Walsh, who earned a across Virginia, but as far Initial topics of research for The honor means that Vir- Feng, associate professor of DID YOU KNOW that 33,921 donors made a gift master’s degree in mechanical south as Georgia and as far the center include secure ginia Tech achieved the highest computer science and electri- to Virginia Tech in 2010? Each gift is the result engineering in spring 2011 north as New Hampshire, computing architectures, possible score in its Green cal and computer engineering of a donor’s affection for the university, and we and is now a research engineer according to myriad news re- cloud computing security, Rating tallies. The survey of at Virginia Tech. Founded by want to see the mementos that remind you of at Argonne National Labora- ports and social media status visualization tools for cyber 768 schools measured three Feng and Kirk W. Cameron, your time at Tech. It could be a ticket stub from updates. defense, securing critical in- key areas: whether the school’s associate professor of com- 1970, a uniform you keep neatly folded in the tory in Chicago. frastructure, wireless security, students have a campus quality puter science, the Green500 attic, or the first photo of you and your future In a three-year competi- Tech establishes and malware detection and of life that is healthy and sus- List has ranked the energy spouse on the Drillfield. Whatever motivated you tion that started this fall, cooperative research mitigation. The new cyberse- tainable; how well the school efficiency of the world’s 500 to give a gift, we want to see it. Send pictures Nelson is now leading a new center to focus on curity site joins the Security is preparing its students for fastest supercomputers since and a brief description to [email protected], and student team on EcoCAR 2. cybersecurity and Software Engineering employment and citizenship debuting in 2007, serv- they just might end up in an online gallery for In cooperation with L-3 Research Center, which is in a world defined by envi- ing as a complement to the our winter 2011-12 edition. J oh n M c C ormick Communications, Northrop led by Ball State University ronmental challenges; and the well-known supercomputer

6 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 7 University expands its research accessibility By Susan Trulove

A new center and an applied Arlington facility. A private nonprofit corporation affiliated with Virginia Tech,

J im S troup research initiative are making Virginia Tech’s broad research VT-ARC was established to foster ap- capabilities even more accessible. plied research and development and to Theresa Jefferson, project director The Virginia Tech Research Cen- manage large contract-research projects. for the Center for Technology, ter—Arlington opened its doors at 900 “We created the Virginia Tech Applied Security, and Policy, and research N. Glebe Road with a Meet the Scientists Research Corporation as an important fea- faculty member Jack Harrald visit ture in Virginia Tech’s rise as a world-class about a research report on the event on June 17, a ribbon-cutting ceremo- New Madrid Fault. ny on June 24, and an open house on June research institution,” said Virginia Tech 26 for the surrounding community, which President Charles W. Steger. “VT-ARC includes high-technology companies and will leverage Virginia Tech research toward many of the federal government’s leading solving some of our nation’s most critical science and research agencies. challenges in intelligence, cyber and IT, You’re invited! The building is among the best- national security, health, and energy. As our connected research facilities in the world, affiliate, VT-ARC will partner with us to incorporating next-generation Internet extend the brand and impact of Virginia with direct fiber access to National Tech in new ways and new places. It is my LambdaRail, Internet 2, and multiple vision to see VT-ARC as the portal to the federal networks. Such connectivity links power of Virginia Tech for government the center to the Blacksburg campus and and industry.” other major universities and facilities Said Tom McNamara, VT-ARC presi- worldwide, and provides a secure data dent and CEO, “Intelligence, cybersecurity,

J oh n M c C ormick center for high-performance computing- and national security are important na- based research. tional challenge areas where VT-ARC will Virginia Tech President Charles The highly visible facility expands the apply advanced technology and engineering W. Steger at the Virginia Tech university’s research portfolio in the Na- through multidisciplinary teams composed Research Center—Arlington grand opening (below), and the center’s tional Capital Region and brings together to solve complex problems. VT-ARC will visualization room, which features a number of established research centers develop security strategies, policies, tech- a 3-D display wall (above). and institutes, including the Advanced nologies, advanced concepts, applied R&D, Research Institute; Arlington Innovation and test and evaluation methodologies Center: Health Research; Center for Geo- to enhance our nation’s security in these spatial Information Technology; Center important areas.” for Technology, Security, and Policy; We’re Opening Our Doors on Nov. 12, 2011. Computational Bioinformatics and Bio- Susan Trulove is the public relations Explore our picturesque campus. See our exciting research. Interact with faculty and students. imaging Laboratory; Institute for Science, manager for the Office of Research. Barbara Spend a day at the commonwealth’s most comprehensive and innovative university. Culture, and Environment; Hume Center; Micale, public relations manager in Tech’s Institute for Critical Technology and National Capital Region, and VT-ARC Applied Science; Virginia Bioinformat- personnel contributed to this article. We’re inventing the future, and we’d love to show you how at our open house. ics Institute; and Virginia Tech Carilion Learn more about the Virginia Tech Research Institute. Research Center—Arlington at www.ncr. For more information about our open house, visit www.vt.edu/openhouse, email [email protected], or call 540-231-2190. The Virginia Tech Applied Research

J oh n M c C ormick vt.edu/Arlington/index.html. Visit http:// Corporation (VT-ARC), headquartered vt-arc.org for more information about VT-

in Blacksburg, also has offices in the new ARC. 1872

8 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu How Tech Ticks How Tech Ticks

Knot: Tom fool’s knot Far below the big-picture Use: Animal restraint, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Need view of the grand enterprise Medicine that is Virginia Tech, the The knot in action: At a bovine restraint laboratory in late August, education of individual students veterinary medicine students practiced casting cattle, or bringing them to moves forward incrementally. the ground, using ropes and tom fool’s knots. The middle of a thick rope was Sometimes the learning is draped across a cow’s neck; and the rope’s two ends were draped under the tied up in knots. From various front legs, over the back, and underneath the hind legs. Then, the students corners of campus, the people pulled, four at a time, tug-of-war style, until the cow laid down. The tom’s fool Knot who know knots have much to knots are used to secure the front and rear limbs to a fixed object, which allows Apply share. a veterinarian to perform surgery on the animal. By Jesse Tuel Knot: Slip knot photos by jim stroup and ryan stone Use: Crocheting—and now, architecture The knot in action: To learn the modeling software architects use, Alexander Worden (master of architecture ’11) taught himself to crochet. Why? No longer are architects model- Knot: Clove-hitch knot ing with tangible forms, but with computer-based, curvilinear forms that react to each other. Use: Mist nets While studying real forms, Worden found in a lace doily a physical example of how digital The knot in action: In the College of Natural Resources and forms can warp without tearing. “As you pull [a crocheting piece] and stretch it, the knots Environment’s (CNRE) Conservation Management Institute, Mike reconfigure and transform into a different system.” He was immediately hooked, and is one St. Germain deploys mist nets to capture and study birds and bats. of only a few people worldwide who have applied crocheting knots to architecture. One of To tighten the nets, he slides a clove-hitch knot (left) up the pole. “To Worden’s digital renderings appears at left. increase tension, it’s simple geometry,” St. Germain said.

Double fisherman’s loop Knots: Square knot, butterfly coil Knots: Double fisherman’s loop, overhand knot, Schwabisch knot Use: Rappelling, Corps of Cadets Use: Arboriculture The knot in action: In the Corps of Cadets, rappelling is overhand The knot in action: Elsewhere in CNRE, urban forestry students have their heads in knot all about the knots. A bowline knot anchors the end of the rope, a the clouds—and rightly so. To inspect, research, and maintain trees, arborists need a bird’s- square knot (below) connects ropes of equal diameter while under schwabisch eye view. At the beginning of the semester, an arboriculture course (right) sent students into knot tension, a two-loop figure-eight knot forms two adjustable fixed the trees with the help of a variety of knots. The overhand knot keeps the double fisherman’s loops, and a butterfly coil (modeled by Landon Perez, a construction loop from unrolling, while the Schwabisch knot provides rope-grabbing friction. engineering and management major) readies the rope for carrying.

Knot: Loblolly pine Use: In lumber, knots reduce the lumber’s grade and value. The knot in action: University Distinguished Professor Harold Burkhart developed a mathematical model of knot shape and volume in loblolly pine trees. Knowing the quantity, locations, and sizes of branches, the CNRE professor can estimate where the knots reside, thereby estimating the wood’s grade and value. Go to www.vtmagazine.vt.edu to see a photo gallery of knots around campus. 10 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Professor Profile Professor Profile

D’information Associate professor of French in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Career advisor for the Department of Foreign Languages and Litera- In the spring 2011 semester, students in Johnson’s gender course voted to read a tures, formerly the director of the type of Japanese graphic novel called manga. In proposing one sub-genre of man- undergraduate French program and coordinator of French graduate ga—“yaoi,” translated as “boy’s love”—Johnson explained to the class that they would teaching assistants explore alternative representations of gendered stereotypes and sexuality because President of the board of directors the plots focused on love between two male androgynous characters. Together they Sharon Johnson for April 17 Inc., a service organi- would hypothesize as to why French female teenagers were devouring these stories zation that offers Teach for Madame and how they might be constructing the teens’ notions of love and desire. “The lesson and Teach for Jaime, two after- on [manga] was quite interesting because it allowed us to see and analyze repre- French Twist school programs to teach French sentations of gender in a context distinct from any other presented in the course,” By Olivia Kasik and German to elementary school said Michael Kozar (French and biochemistry ’11). “I found it really helpful to learn students about gender using texts that were not purely academic.” Ph.D. and master’s degree in Cross-cultural exchange is central to Johnson’s teaching philosophy. With alking into a room of students eagerly conversing in French literature from the Uni- French colleagues, she developed the Images, Myths, and Realities Across Cultures French about their first week of classes, the professor versity of Wisconsin at Madison; program, where, by analyzing images and texts pertaining to France and the United quickly joined the discussion. She moved excitedly bachelor’s degree from Kalama- zoo College States, students shared ideas on selected themes and contemporary cultural issues. around the classroom throughout the lesson, even fist- The director of Tech’s study-abroad program in Paris, Johnson was also influential pumping after a correct response. In the final minute of Associate in the creation of the French business program, a joint venture between the foreign Professor Sharon Johnson’s Advanced French for Business class languages department and Pamplin College of Business. on the Friday afternoon before the first weekend of the fall Les honneurs Johnson was first exposed to the French language after watching a television semester, students refrained from the normal rustling of papers William E. Wine Award, Virginia show, “Chez Hélène,” as a child. Then, in second grade, Johnson’s elementary school and remained attuned to their professor’s last words. Tech, 2011 introduced French into the curriculum. By age 14, she was determined to study Johnson’s ability to engage her students is only one of the reasons she earned the uni- Diggs Teaching Scholar Award, abroad in France. She approached her parents with a heavily researched presenta- versity’s 2011 William E. Wine Award for excellence in teaching. Since joining the Depart- Virginia Tech, 2004 tion of potential programs and then went on her first study-abroad experience to ment of Foreign Languages and Literatures in 1998, she has been an active member of University Exemplary Depart- Strasbourg, France, the following year. During that first trip, Johnson recalls seeing ment Award for collaborations the Virginia Tech community. In addition to serving on countless committees and partici- two women, standing near their bicycles, speaking in French. The image impressed between the Department of For- pating in university workshops, seminars, and conferences, Johnson has been instrumental upon her that French, more than language confined to a classroom, is a way of life. eign Languages and Literatures in the development of Tech’s French program. and the Pamplin College of The trip taught Johnson that the cultural and social experiences she had in her “Dr. Johnson’s passion for the French language and her deep concern for her stu- Business, 2003 hometown of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., were not the norm worldwide. dents as individuals really pushed me to be the best student I could be during my last Certificate of Teaching Excel- Johnson continued to visit France whenever possible, learning the joy of embrac- year at Virginia Tech,” said Lenise Phillips (French and English ’11), one of Johnson’s lence, College of Liberal Arts ing her autonomy and taking pleasure in solitude. “France showed me a different recent graduates. “I wanted to be a good student for her, make her proud of me, and and Human Sciences, 2002 way to be a teenager. It gave me a strength and internal fortitude. I feel indebted to ultimately somehow repay the favor she gave me the moment she became my profes- France for a lot of my moral and psychological fiber, as well as my intellectual devel- sor and became so selflessly invested in my education.” opment,” Johnson said. After 31 years of teaching, Johnson knows that the secret to inspiring and Just as France encouraged her growth as an individual, Johnson’s enthusiasm is a engaging students lies in the balance of demanding their very best and genuinely source of inspiration for her students. “If it [weren’t] for [Johnson], I probably would caring for their success. “No student slips through the cracks once they are my not have graduated with a B.A. in French and would not be pursuing the career I am student,” said Johnson. now,” said Stephanie Dunstan (French and political science ’09), who dreams of work- Johnson takes language instruction well past vocabulary lists and verb drills. In John McCormick ing in international adoption focused in Africa, where her French skills may be put to addition to guiding her students through the intricacies of the French language, she good use. “It was her encouragement and passion that pushed me. … I know that many teaches courses on many of her research interests, including 19th- and 20th-century years down the road, she will be the professor that I credit for my successes.” literature; gender studies; art history; literary, legal, and medical discourses; cross-cultural pedagogy; and business. The courses are designed to help students analyze complex cultural, Olivia Kasik, a senior majoring in professional writing and psychology with a minor societal, and psychological issues and make connections across disciplines. in philosophy, is an intern with Virginia Tech Magazine.

12 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 13 Phishing scams—where hackers ask for personal information such as passwords, birthdates, and social security numbers—have a better success rate than one might think. About 10 to 15 percent of people still respond to these scams, said Randy Marchany, information security officer in Virginia Tech’s Information Technology (IT) Security Office and a nationally recognized computer-security expert. Many users like to think that they’re safe, surfing the Web while shielded by anti-virus software. Most of us think we know the basics to protect ourselves from identity theft. We safeguard our ATM PINs and don’t download ran- dom files from strangers. But how safe are we, really? Campus experts shed light on what’s lurking in the dark recesses of the World Wide Web.

Guard your passwords. 1 3 Be aware of what information is no longer ‘secret.’ “Your password is your first line of defense,” said Many people now make so much information about Marchany. Once a hacker gains access to your password, themselves public and accessible via social-networking he or she is the new you online. If a user has one pass- sites that common and simple passwords, as well as secret word for multiple accounts, a great deal of data is at stake. questions—often used to confirm user identities should Marchany stresses a few basic concepts. One: Email a user forget his or her password—are thin barriers providers will never—repeat, never—ask users for their between an account and hackers. passwords via email. Those emails that ask you to con- Consider many of these common answers to “secret” firm your password or change it? Not legit. questions: mother’s maiden name, the name of your France Belanger, a professor in the Pamplin College elementary school, your hometown, or your anniversary. of Business specializing in IT security, said that one of Much of this information is now available on Facebook, the biggest mistakes people make is a low-tech one: writ- posted by you, a family member, or a friend. “If you ing their passwords on sticky notes. post it on Facebook, don’t make it your secret question,” Marchany said. 2 Choose a strong password.

Marchany recommends that users change their passwords regularly, at least once a year. At Virginia Tech, Be cautious about how much password changes have become mandatory. All Tech- 4 data you share and with whom. account users were required to change their passwords by July 1 and must continue to change them at least annually. Janine Hiller, a Pamplin professor specializing in Internet “You’ll never make [the password] so that it’s uncrack- law, noted that, in an increasingly connected society, people are able, but most programs are looking for the easiest ones far more willing to give away information about themselves. they can get.” Marchany noted that a strong password “The one danger that we just don’t recognize is that will contain letters, numbers, and symbols. He encour- we’re being numbed to giving away our information,” added ages users to choose a phrase, composition title, or a line Belanger, the IT security expert. “We’re asked to compromise from a poem or to randomly string family and friends’ between security/privacy and convenience/advantage.” For names together. Then, choose a syllable from each word example, users can save credit card information and addresses in the phrase, and change a letter to a symbol or number: on retail websites, adding ease of use for future purchases and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” might become jump!nj@ckf1@sh. opportunities for discounts and special deals. Belanger advises consumers to remember that, in some situations, they can choose security over convenience.

14 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 15 Corps of Cadets Wellness-centered living is about to get more refreshing.

Install updates and software R ock roszak 5 patches regularly.

Both Belanger and Marchany agree that updating software on a regular basis is one of the best forms of prevention. Indeed, you don’t even have to click on a link or download a file to have your machine infected with viruses or malware. “A more popular method of infecting machines these days is for hackers to attack the webcode for advertise The Village Center ments on legitimate sites,” said Marchany. A user visits- a trusted website, such as The New York Times, but some at Warm Hearth Village of the information on that site is actually advertisements Corps of Cadets being pulled from advertiser code. Hackers replace legiti- mate ads with their own code, and the user’s machine is infected simply by viewing the page. Grows in Quantity and Quality Once on the machine, the virus or malware takes effect, by Randal D. Fullhart recording keystrokes to capture usernames and passwords or searching for credit card or social security numbers. The university’s premier leader- Looking to the future, university Micah Hafich (middle) commanded The best prevention for these attacks, said Marchany, ship development program is enjoy- leadership has given a green light to the regiment in the fall, earned a degree is to keep all software up to date and download all ing a resurgence in numbers at a replacing the corps residence halls, and a in mathematics and an Air Force com- patches, which will ensure that any known vulnerability time when the nation needs leaders design competition will begin soon. The mission, won an Air Force scholarship in a computer’s operating system or software is dealt with. of great character and competence. corps will re-occupy the Lane Hall area, to graduate school, and was the Gen. As the corps’ new commandant, I consolidating the Rice Center for Leader- Douglas MacArthur Award winner could not be more pleased with the ship, the Corps Museum, and all facets for exemplary leadership. Christina support from other students, faculty, of VTCC and its supporting elements Devereux Forsythe (second from right) university leadership, and alumni. under one roof. This re-imagined Upper commanded A Company, this year’s The incoming freshman class num- Quad will be a showcase for Virginia Gold Cord unit; won the Women in What happens if your data is compromised? Unfortu- Saltwater Swimming Pool • Community Room bers some 383 students, bringing the Tech for decades to come. Leadership and Philanthropy Award for nately, “There’s no magic legal button you can press,” Hiller Performance Stage • Fitness Center • Café Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) Examples of the power and value Leadership; earned the corps’ Ut Prosim said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National to 949 cadets, the largest total since of the corps’ programs can be seen by Award for her exemplary leadership and Security Agency, and the Federal Trade Commission 16,300-square-foot community 1969. Beyond the traditional partner- the achievements of our cadets over the strong performance at Marine Officer websites offer information for victims of identity theft. The ship with ROTC programs, much of past year. David Brock (far left, above) Candidate School; earned a degree in three major credit-reporting agencies are also required to gathering space, currently under construction the growth can be attributed to the commanded K Battery in the fall; led history; and is now a second lieuten- investigate any complaints by consumers of errors on their and scheduled to open in late 2012 large number of students who choose VPI Company, the civilian-leader track ant in the Marines. Ryan Anderson (far credit reports, she noted. the civilian-leader track. The leadership unit, in the spring; and won the Lacy O. right) was the spring semester regimental Ultimately, the largest share of responsibility falls to Call us at (540) 552-9176 or visit retire.org. minor that cadets complete in addition Brumback Award as the best company commander, earned a degree in biology the user to exercise caution on the Web, create passwords to their major is a big plus when they are commander in the corps. He gradu- and an Air Force scholarship for medical with care, judiciously share information, and be aware of seeking post-graduation employment. ated with a degree in materials science school, and was chosen as Virginia Tech’s the rapidly changing threats. The corps is the university’s original engineering and will go to Navy Officer Undergraduate Man of the Year. “residence” experience program. Cadets Candidate School. Kasey Beernink By any measure, the Virginia Tech reside together the entire four years (second from left) excelled as a member community can be proud of its corps. while benefiting from myriad programs of the Highty-Tighties, earned a degree designed to enrich their education under in chemistry, commissioned as an ensign, Maj. Gen. Randal D. Fullhart is the the tutelage of a seasoned and dedicated and was the first Virginia Tech female commandant of cadets at Virginia Tech. staff. We provide a 24/7 leadership train- graduate selected for submarine duty by Warm Hearth Village is a non-profit, nonsectarian, ing experience to our cadets. the U.S. Navy. senior living community in Blacksburg, Virginia.

16 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 17 At Jason Pall’s (geography ’06) Glade Road Growing farm in Blacksburg, Va., a new-old approach to food Comfort production is taking shape. Pall refers to it as “intercropping,” and while the term might sound 21st century, the idea is hardly new. Crops like buck- wheat, a cover crop that improves soil health, border rows of summer squash, peppers, and tomatoes. Chickens in por- table cages that Pall refers to as “chicken FoodA resurgence in local foods and urban gardening tractors” feast in the grassy areas between plots of various crops. Glade Road Growing is a vision: a small by Denise Young farm in a small town, a sign of a growing demand for locally produced food. The sight isn’t one of endless waves of grain, but rather an ecosystem of interconnected crops thriv- ing in harmony. Fragrant flowers provide nectar, sustaining the predatory insects that will prey on “bad insects,” those that attack the vegetable plants. During a farm tour, Pall, who runs the farm with his wife, Sally Walker (biological systems engineering ’07, M.S. ’09), details the reasoning behind the setup of an already bountiful first-year farm. “We believe in diversifying,” Pall says. “It’s all one system, not just one-dimensional.” Using intercropping, Pall expects his yield, per square foot, to be three times what a large-scale farm can achieve. “The more land you manage, [the more you] cut down your quality.” He sells his produce at the Blacksburg Farmers Market and hopes someday to branch into home delivery using a pickup truck that’s been converted

n sto e rya to electric.

Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 19 questions about farming methods, pesticide use, or freshness of people in economically depressed areas with gardening space, produce. Vendors eagerly offer tips on anything from the best way urban gardens provide access to healthier food options. to store or prepare produce to starting your own garden. In some cities, vacant lots are being turned into commu- And the tone is different from your average grocery store. nity gardens. The effect isn’t just on nutrition, said Wendy No shoving of carts. Blue sky replaces metal ceilings and the Jacobson, an associate professor in the College of Architecture glare of fluorescent lights. Small children indulge in newly pur- and Urban Studies who teaches courses that address a range chased berries, their faces stained with the deep-purple juice. of urban and community design topics. “When people get Occasionally, musicians ramp up the casual atmosphere. The together to accomplish something like this, it’s a tremendous scene is more of a social gathering than a shopping experience. community-building experience, especially for lower-income “We’re bringing it back to the basics,” said Ellen Stewart, areas where people, over time, can begin to feel isolated.” And director for the Blacksburg Farmers Market, of the experience. the mere act of planting a seed and watching it grow can have “[People are] able to build a relationship of trust with the per- a therapeutic effect. “Planting a garden, in and of itself, is an son producing [their] food.” act of faith and optimism. It’s an active rather than a passive The social atmosphere, the contributions to the local interaction with nature.” economy, and the accountability aren’t the only perks to eating local. There’s also what one might call the “fresh factor.” Happy meals: Local foods are more than Bendfeldt added that it’s not simply local food that’s impor- “We take pride in going to mere sustenance tant. He encouraged consumers to buy food produced in the re- pick the fruit the night before the “The real interest spiked a couple years ago with the toma- gion instead of processed food, which travels an average of 1,500 farmers market,” said Ron Holdren, to and peanut-butter crises. People began wondering, ‘Where miles. “A local food system is about four times as energy-efficient a vendor at the Blacksburg market. is my food coming from? What am I eating?’ And one way to as a global system, but a regional food system is 17 times more “You’re not going to go to Kroger know that is to seek out local growers … [to] buy directly from energy-efficient than a global food system,” said Bendfeldt, citing and find a peach that was picked the producer, establish a relationship, and see the production research by Iowa State University and the Leopold Center for the night before.” process,” said Sheri Dorn, a Virginia Cooperative Extension Sustainable Agriculture. “Therefore, it is important to find a Many local farmers open their agent in Roanoke, Va. balance and know the context for local, regional, national, and fields to consumers. More than The answer is simple, natural, and local—at least to hear global markets.” growers, they are educators and Joel Salatin, of family-owned and -operated Polyface Farms, Having an abundance of fresh food readily accessible can entrepreneurs, continually studying explain it. “As we have lengthened the chain of custody [of our mean good things for nutrition and the battle against obesity. and improving their methods. food], we have increased opaqueness. As a result, we have a tre- Carmen Byker (Ph.D. human nutrition, foods, and exercise One might even call them mendous amount of corner-cutting—manure contamination, ’11) noted that simply having access to fresh produce fosters trendsetters. chemical use. Local food offers a transparency that’s impossible better nutrition. “Many times, farmers markets provide a greater to obtain otherwise,” said Salatin, author of eight books about proportion of fresh foods than processed foods. The customer is The 21st-century farming and food production. likely to find an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, ‘Victory Garden’: Urban Farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture and dairy products. Baked goods are available too, but highly gardening gains ground (CSA) systems are the primary venues for purchasing local processed foods laden with chemicals are less likely to be avail- People are moving closer to their products, though natural and health foods stores or co-ops able.” During her time at Tech, Byker served on the Blacksburg food sources as they try their own often stock locally produced goods. CSAs allow consumers to Farmers Market board of directors and started a program that hand at growing. buy “shares” to a farm; in return, they receive a box or basket of provided fresh produce to the families of Head Start children. “Your backyard is a resource you produce each week. On a sunny afternoon at the Blacksburg market, a thriving can tap,” said Salatin, listing rain bar- Such programs don’t just feed consumers. Eating local also microcosm of the new shape of food production, distribution, rels, composting, companion plant- stimulates a vibrant economy by retaining local dollars. “If each and consumption presents itself. Customers talk face-to-face with ing, raised beds, and even chickens household in Virginia devoted $10 of their weekly budget to the people who grow their food. Vibrant rows of newly harvested as ideas for utilizing a backyard. Virginia farm products, it would have a direct economic impact zucchini and summer squash, containers of freshly picked peaches More than a hobby, urban gar- of $1.65 billion [per year],” noted Eric Bendfeldt, a community and blueberries, and made-from-scratch pastries await market- dening can nurture a sense of social viability specialist with Virginia Cooperative Extension. goers. Behind each booth stands a food producer, ready to answer justice and equity. By providing

20 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 21 Attention parents and guardians of future Hokies!

n sto e rya Do you want to learn more about the undergraduate admissions process, Virginia Tech experts offered some guidance for people Generally, limit contact with treated plants until the application interested in starting their own backyard or patio garden. has dried. Read the product labels for specific warnings. key dates and deadlines, Close also had some advice about pesticides. “The less Start small. pesticide you have to use, whether organic or conventional, the admission requirements, “It’s very easy to get overwhelmed,” cautioned Dorn. “Gar- better it is, from a financial or environmental standpoint. It dens are a lot of work. You put a lot of time and energy into it, means that things are healthy on their own without additional and much more? especially when you’re first starting out.” help. You should just use [these products] as a last resort.” For those thinking of starting a garden, fall, not spring, can be a great time to start your plan, according to Dorn. “Start with Water frequently. Sign up today at www.admiss.vt.edu/parents a soil test,” she said. “November is a great time to test your soil Dorn offered a rule of thumb for determining if a plant needs because soil-testing facilities don’t have as much demand.” If you to be watered. “One method of determining if your plants have find you need to adjust the soil’s pH level, applying lime or sulfur enough water is to lift the pot, to know what it feels like when it’s in the fall will give you six months for the changes to occur. fully watered. If it’s light the next time you lift it, you know you In December, January, and February, seed catalogs come out, need to water it. If you can’t lift [the container], stick your fingers and it’s time to make a garden plan. Do your homework: Find out down in the soil, but that’s only a reasonable guess because the which plants grow well in the region, plan crop rotation, and look surface will dry more quickly and the roots are deeper.” for cultivars that will provide insect and disease resistance. Then Plants should be watered before they reach the wilting in the spring, you’ll be starting out on the right foot. point. “If you don’t keep plants evenly watered, you can run into Growers considering container gardening should buy patio nutrition and plant health issues.” or bush varieties of plants. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, If gardeners want to ensure a bountiful harvest, watering and squash can be grown in containers, along with greens like plants consistently is the best bet. lettuce, spinach, kale, and many herbs, such as basil. Hanging baskets are also an option. Most of all, don’t be afraid of failure. “If there’s one thing I At Glade Road Growing, it’s easy to imagine that the always say, it’s that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly the consumer’s relationship with food is taking on a new shape. “Is first time,” said Salatin. “At the end of the day, it’s a skill that’s small farming or organic farming going to feed the world?” Pall worth learning. Don’t expect a bumper crop the first time.” asked, holding a tomato, picked mid-tour, in his hand. “Maybe one day. It’s one step.” Don’t over- or under-fertilize. Perhaps it’s not a new face, after all, but a throwback to a Over time, gardeners learn to tell when a plant has sufficient more holistic approach to the environment—working with the If you think our defense works hard, fertilizer, said Joyce Latimer, professor of horticulture. “Gardeners land, rather than against it. “Nonlocal sourcing is the tip of a you’ll really enjoy our workforce. know when a plant is happy. There’s this green vibrancy. When huge severance that has broken down the connection between a plant is not fertilized enough, it starts to look unhappy, with us and our umbilical,” said Salatin. Never before have so many yellowing or lower-leaf death.” people lacked a deep understanding of the way their food is “It’s not as complicated as people make it,” Latimer said. grown and produced, he lamented. “Always follow the guidelines. More is not better. In many cases, Pall puts it more directly. “Food is important,” he said. “Food more is harmful.” You can also buy controlled-release fertilizers is your medicine.” so you don’t have to remember to do it once a month. State Master Gardener Coordinator Dave Close cautioned he New River Valley* F business to t , visit ww or mor locating a w.nrva. against adding nitrogen-based fertilizer when a plant is close to Web extras e information about expanding or re us. producing fruit or ready to harvest. Adding fertilizer promotes For tips on anything from gardening and plant care to soil root and leaf growth, and at this stage, the focus should be on testing, fertilization, and composting, or to contact a Master fruit production. For backyard gardens, too, excess fertilizer can Gardener or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension lead to runoff of phosphorous and nitrogen, polluting waterways. agent, visit www.ext.vt.edu. To read about the Gardens Experts also urge novice gardeners to keep in mind that Growing Families program, where Henrico County families their plants will likely be easily accessible to pets and children. grow their own food, visit www.vtmagazine.vt.edu. 800.678.1734 | www.nrva.us

*The New River Valley is the region around Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg, VA campus.

22 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu 21st-century economic impact. Extension food security. By Michael Sutphin ’06

youth development.

sustainability.

Virginia Cooperative Extension reaches all Virginians, whether Virginia Cooperative Extension has assisted farmers and communities for the better part of a century, from the first demonstration farms and they know it or not. corn and tomato clubs of the early 1900s to the innovative educational and outreach programs of the 2000s. While a tough economy in recent years has spelled trouble for Extension programs in Virginia and else- where, the goals of the organization remain the same. “When Extension began nearly 100 years ago, its purpose was to help people take research developed at a university and other places and put it Carl Stafford (left), an Extension agricultural and natural into practice on the land and in the home,” said Edwin Jones, director of resources agent, visits with dairy producer Terry Ingram about forage management strategies. Virginia Cooperative Extension. “Can we still do that today? I believe so.”

24 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Responding to renewed interest in food The Virginia 4-H program includes preservation, Extension implemented science-related projects, such new programs for homeowners. Here, as a LEGO robotics project at Mark Reiter, assistant pro- agents learn about canning techniques. the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational fessor of crop and soil and Center at Smith Mountain Lake. environmental sciences at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Re- search and Extension Center, studies ways to improve soil and nutrient management. Virginia Cooperative Extension Director Edwin Jones speaks with agents at a pesticide training session in September. J oh n M c C ormick jim stroup jim stroup

knowledge from land-grand universities reduce costs yet maintain a local presence example because it cuts across all of our directly to Virginia residents. throughout the commonwealth. areas programmatically, from youth devel- Take, for example, the Virginia By early 2011, as lawmakers and opment to production agriculture, human J oh n M c C ormick Potato Disease Advisory. Developed the university fielded public reaction, nutrition, and community viability.” by Extension agents, the advisory relies the organization withdrew its proposed Extension professionals at both Virginia Tech, as a land-grant university, teach youth about a wide range of issues, on research at Extension sites to issue restructuring plan. Extension leaders universities work statewide in order generating knowledge that’s paired with from agribusiness to public speaking, all weekly bulletins sharing fungicide rec- refocused on listening to stakeholders to provide seamless programming and outreach and engagement is a part of while honing their skills as future leaders. ommendations and information about and partners and gathering input about services to meet the needs of Virginians, our heritage and mission at K-State. It’s “Virginia 4-H provides hands-on potato diseases. In 2010, Eastern Shore how, with the current level of resources, according to Jewel Hairston, interim dean something that’s very important to us learning experiences for youth at all ages An evolving mission potato growers saved $300,000 through Extension can best deliver high-impact for agriculture and the 1890 Extension and something we will continue to value.” and addresses a number of societal is- Since the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, reduced fungicide applications by using programs that align with the needs of administrator at VSU. Such heritage is as important as ever, sues, from raising the next generation of Virginia Cooperative Extension—a part- recommendations from the advisory. its clientele. Jones said Extension is “I’m proud of the excellent work- Schulz said. “Helping people improve community and civic leaders, to teaching nership of Virginia Tech and Virginia The issue is one of many that Exten- searching for unique ways to increase its ing relationship between Virginia Tech their lives with research-based knowledge about nutrition and physical fitness as State University (VSU)—has grown sion agents have helped to address. capacity, including collaborative training and Virginia State University, especially won’t ever lose its relevancy. With the a way to address the growing problem to include a network of faculty at each From prevention of foodborne illnesses programs with other states and the use within Extension,” said Hairston. “VSU’s vast discoveries that researchers are find- of childhood obesity, to encouraging university, 106 county and city offices, through food-safety training to leadership of new technology, while maintaining a programs with limited-resource farm- ing, it’s important that we capitalize on children and teens to pursue careers in 12 agricultural research and Extension development through its 4-H programs, visible presence in communities. ers and families, as well as our work [in] the benefits of these findings by bringing the science, technology, engineering, and centers, and six 4-H educational centers. Extension has evolved to meet the needs aquaculture, small ruminants, vegetables them to the people and industries that mathematics [STEM] fields,” said Cathy For decades, Extension focused its of Virginians in the 21st century. [Editor’s Pooling resources and small fruits, child and human devel- can use them.” Sutphin, associate director of Virginia mission on helping farmers and address- note: For a look at Extension’s economic To address the decline in public resourc- opment, family financial management, Whether partnering with large agri- Cooperative Extension’s 4-H youth ing economic problems in the home, impact, see the sidebar on page 28.] es, Virginia Cooperative Extension has and [more] complement the work being cultural associations, such as the Virginia development program. “Our programs but now its reach extends to an array Despite reaching more than 1.8 mil- taken new approaches and sought out done by Virginia Tech.” Agribusiness Council or the Virginia not only change behaviors to ensure that of economic, environmental, and social lion Virginians in 2010, Extension has partnerships to make its programs more Nationwide, land-grant universities Farm Bureau, or educating local commu- Virginia’s youth are productive members concerns. Recent decreases in federal seen its one-on-one interactions with effective. are working together and finding ways to nities, Extension has the unique ability to of society who contribute to their local and state public resources for Extension members of Virginia communities come The organization’s four program support each other with programs and bring together those from all sides of an communities, but also increase their programs have caused administrators to into question and make headlines in areas—agriculture and natural resources, resources. issue. “Our greatest strength—and one academic performances, therefore, their rethink what programs are offered and recent years. In the four years from fiscal family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth “I think most land-grant universi- that we do very, very well—is our ability economic potential.” how they are delivered. year 2008 to fiscal year 2012, Virginia development, and community viability— ties across the country are facing similar to bring different perspectives from vari- “The mission of 4-H is to build Even so, Jones (M.S. fisheries and Cooperative Extension and the Virginia work in tandem to solve complex issues, challenges,” said Kirk Schulz (chemi- ous audiences into discussions,” Jones ex- leaders and help them develop life skills. wildlife ’79, Ph.D. ’83) said the organi- Agricultural Experiment Station have such as protecting natural resources or cal engineering ’86, Ph.D. ’91), who, as plained. “We bring the latest information I believe that is exactly what 4-H has zation has two advantages over other seen a cumulative reduction of $10.3 promoting local foods. president of Kansas State University, the we have, without a stake in the issue.” done for me,” said Brandon Pierce, now a state agencies. First, Extension focuses million in state funds, or about 15.9 per- “To deliver the important, compre- land-grant institution in Kansas, has a Virginia Tech senior majoring in agricul- on education, influencing behavior on, cent less than the 2008 amount. In fall hensive programs needed to address unique perspective on K-State Research Training future leaders tural and applied economics and Spanish. say, nutrition and obesity rather than 2010, Extension responded to a General the complex issues that we have, those and Extension services. “Our audience Perhaps nowhere is Extension’s dex- Pierce has served on the Virginia 4-H addressing only the aftereffects. Second, Assembly request for a new strategic program areas have to work together,” and their needs are more diverse today, terity in disseminating knowledge more Cabinet, including one year as president; Extension transfers research-based plan and a restructuring proposal to Jones said. “The local foods issue is a great and overall budgets are being cut. Like visible than in its 4-H programs, which on the National 4-H Planning Com-

26 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 27 mittee; and as a camp staff member at the country’s economic engine was agri- zation continues to fulfill a new version the Airfield 4-H Center. “I’ve had the culture, and the majority of its popula- of an old mission: putting university opportunity to work with many different tion lived in rural areas to work on the knowledge and expertise into practice groups of people. I’ve been able to con- land. Today, farmers account for only across the commonwealth. nect to and learn from each group. The 1 to 2 percent of the U.S. population, “The issues that the people of the knowledge that I’ve gained has helped me and more than half of Americans live in commonwealth face are complex, and it to better my skills working with people, urban areas. Virginia is no different. behooves an organization like Extension consequently strengthening my leader- New technologies and innovative to be involved in bringing a solution to ship skills,” he added. approaches to production may have those issues,” Jones said. “One of the great Cameron Taylor, a Virginia Tech eliminated the need for a large farm- things about Cooperative Extension freshman economics major and president ing population, but everyone still has a is that we are not an agency that gives of the Virginia State 4-H cabinet, agreed. stake in agriculture, said Jones. Virginia out money, sets regulations, or enforces “4-H has, first off, taught me the proper Cooperative Extension invests its time regulations. Instead, we help Virginians way to lead. Power is not leadership; a and resources in all aspects of commu- deal with issues, whether on the farm, in leader may have power, but having power nity food systems, whether showing a the home, or in the community.” does not make a leader,” he said. Taylor large agricultural operation in Southwest credits 4-H with giving him the opportu- Virginia how to incorporate the latest Formerly a writer for the College of Ag- nity to talk to state legislators, university integrated pest-management strategies, riculture and Life Sciences, Michael Sutphin deans, and corporate officials—experi- teaching Eastern Virginia residents how (communication ’06) is now the Virginia- ences that he said helped him grow as to grow their own community gardens, Maryland Regional College of Veterinary both an individual and as a leader. dealing with crop varieties or livestock Medicine’s public relations coordinator. programs, or addressing nutrition in To see a video of Edwin Jones explain- Sharing knowledge schools and community centers. ing how Extension reaches you, go to www. When Extension agents first began Every day, Extension agents are shar- vtmagazine.vt.edu. offering their knowledge and expertise, ing knowledge, proving that the organi-

An economic boost for the commonwealth Virginia Cooperative Extension creating an economic stimulus valued at costs. Virginia spent more than $1.6 continues to have a significant impact on more than $508,000 in 2010. billion on obesity-related problems in the commonwealth’s economy. Here are a • Extension agents developed the 2003—approximately 5.7 percent of the few examples of how Extension benefits Virginia Potato Disease Advisory, which, state’s total medical expenditures. citizens from across the commonwealth. in 2010, saved Eastern Shore potato • Foodborne illnesses cost Virginia • Extension’s strong agriculture and growers $300,000 through reduced up to $23 million annually. Last year, natural resources programs sustain the fungicide applications. Extension agents trained more than 375 profitability of agricultural and forestry • Thanks to Extension’s forage-based food handlers on food safety and food- production—Virginia’s largest industry, nutrition management planning pro- borne disease prevention. with an annual economic impact of $55 gram, farmers in the Piedmont region of • Virginia’s six 4-H educational billion—and protect the quality of Vir- Virginia now use poultry litter for fertil- centers, which provide hands-on educa- ginia’s land and water resources. izer. Because poultry litter costs less than tional experiences for more than 16,000 • The Virginia Quality Assured Feed- commercial fertilizer, farmers saved an Virginia youth in summer and year- er Cattle Program has consistently given average of $42 per acre on fertilizer over round camps, have a major impact on the Virginia beef producers higher prices a three-year period. commonwealth’s economy. Employing compared to traditional livestock sales. • Extension addresses emerging fam- staff, purchasing food and supplies, and Cash receipts for program participants ily and consumer sciences issues, such as making capital improvements account for are higher than weekly market values, obesity and diabetes, and their associated more than $6.3 million annually.

28 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu

Virginia

L.C. es H arles Mino VS. n. Jam . Lan Tech Ch r Ge e

characters Won Charles L.C. Minor, the first president Gen. James H. Lane, commandant of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (VAMC), of cadets, had graduated second in his class at Virginia was hired from Sewanee, where he had taught Latin and Military Institute, and earned a master’s degree at the led the preparatory school. Earlier the president of Mary- University of Virginia and both a doctorate and a doctor land Agricultural College, he held a master’s degree from of laws. Nicknamed “Gamecock,” he taught math and the University of Virginia and a doctor of laws and had military tactics at his alma mater and then in Florida Fisticuffs, growing pains, served as a combat officer in the Confederate Army, reach- and North Carolina before entering the Civil War at its ing the rank of captain. “A fine-looking, robust man [with] a onset. Paroled in 1865 as a brigadier general, Lane had reputation of being an athlete and an excellent boxer,” notes been wounded three times. Temple quotes a VAMC and the Hokie way the late Col. Harry D. Temple (industrial engineering ’34) cadet describing the general as “a stern old disciplinarian in “The Bugle’s Echo,” Minor had come to VAMC highly [who] handled the cadets as if he were still fighting old recommended by professional colleagues. Grant.” by Juliet crichton

30 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 31 scene 1: In this corner …

Despite efforts to the contrary, VAMC contin- the attendant routines and discipline, 24/7. From such ued to thrive, enrolling more than 250 cadets in just structure would also come academic excellence, Lane its fourth year and effectively outgrowing campus maintained. boarding facilities. Those cadets who lived off-campus, Although the board of visitors approved a Minor- largely unattended, were prone to mischief, outgrow- submitted plan for administrative oversight of the ing the town’s patience in record time. Not only were school’s disciplinary procedures, faculty members, even cadets known to frequent a Main Street hotel that sold those in Minor’s camp, balked at the newly introduced liquor, recurring acts of vandalism pointed to a student chain-of-command and responsibilities, preferring in- population gone wild. stead the complete autonomy they had enjoyed when After sufficient complaints had been lodged by the no administrative guidelines had existed at all. gricultural and Mechanical C inia A ollege, Virg 1872 townspeople, the school’s administration set about Minor’s efforts as president notwithstanding, devising a course of action to control the the pro-military faction continued to hold cadets. In broadest terms, Minor and his a solid line. No consensus for properly cohort favored a more relaxed, civil- disciplining the young men could ian environment, whereas Lane be reached; and in an already and his supporters believed that contentious climate, confron- prologue: Land grant!! a military college should in fact tation was imminent. be a military college with all Upon Virginia’s 1870 readmission to the union, While other editors might have eschewed per- some two dozen schools jockeyed to become the war- sonal attacks for a more pragmatic assessment of the battered state’s new land-grant institute of agricultural school’s programs and progress, it became evident that and mechanical arts. Competition for the funding, the entire affair pitted a state-college/state-control made available by the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, construct against a state-college/local-control one. In was fierce; and legislative debate wore on for months, other words, the school’s growing pains were intense, if as it is wont to do, rankled by self-interests and con- not historically significant. flicting ideologies. In his school history, “The First One Hundred In early 1872, Virginia Gov. Gilbert C. Walker Years,” Professor Emeritus Duncan Lyle Kinnear signed the bill allocating two-thirds of the state’s grant notes that VAMC had opened its doors without “any monies to the Preston and Olin Institute in Blacks- clear-cut organizational plan of administration which burg. The Methodist-affiliated “seminary of learning,” could be used as a guide by either the faculty or the VAMC cadets, 1881 which had fallen upon hard times, would be reorga- board.” Naturally, such impetuousness invited chaos nized into VAMC—today’s Virginia Tech. on the small campus. Faculty had a direct line to board Preston and Olin’s president, Thomas N. Conrad, members. Disputes arose over the school’s curriculum. who had fully expected to be appointed VAMC’s Political loyalties ruffled the faculty ranks. And at an founding president, dealt with the oversight by 1878 faculty meeting, the president punched the com- launching a bitter campaign against the new school’s mandant of cadets. every move. As the editor of nearby Christiansburg’s Thus a matter of public record played out in The Morrill Land Grant Act Montgomery Messenger, he hounded VAMC admin- newspapers statewide, VAMC’s formative years hissed istrators and board members alike, accusing them of with dissension and discord better suited to Dickens The 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act will be their congressional delegations changed the education- partisanship and sectionalism at best, ignorance and or Dostoevsky. celebrated on July 2, 2012. al landscape in the U.S. and funded the establishment Sponsored by Vermont Rep. Justin Smith Morrill and of more than 70 schools to provide affordable, practical incompetence at worst. signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, the bill education. But the most powerful aspect of the Morrill that granted states public land based on the size of Act was the commitment to support these schools.

32 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 33 Va. Agr. & Mechl. College Blacksburg, March 30, 1878 Agricultural & Mechanical College Dr. C. L. C. Minor Blacksburg, Virginia Blacksburg, Va. scene 2: The one-two punch March 26th 1878 Dear Sir: After two years of simmering dissension on campus, the Lane again spoke at considerable length with similar excite- Gen. James H. Lane Yours of the 26th inst. has just rift between Minor and Lane widened irreparably when, ment and heart.” Upon taking the floor for rebuttal, Minor Blacksburg, Virginia Tech been handed me by my friend Dr. Ellzey. in March 1878, Minor insisted that Lane oversee all cadet was repeatedly interrupted by Lane, who refused to desist, I have previously, in writing & ver- discipline instead of delegating authority to cadet officers. despite being “ruled out of order” by the meeting’s chair. Dear Sir: bally, expressed to you and the other Lane immediately requested a faculty meeting during “The character of his interruptions,” Minor wrote about members of the Faculty of the Va. Agr. which he presented a volatile speech that Minor was com- Lane, “may be judged from his words in answer to the I write to express my profound re- & Mechl. Col. my perfect willingness “to leave to others the settlement of the pelled to describe in his August 1878 president’s report to presiding officer, very loudly and resentfully uttered: ‘Order, gret for what occurred yesterday. It is not possible to leave unsettled the question about reports.” the board of visitors: “Gen. Lane spoke at some length urg- the devil, this is a question of veracity.’ He rose from his question who was to blame, about which ing his view of the matter, exhibiting much excitement and seat and advanced on me, and demanded with loud offen- I am willing to continue the faith- we could not hope to agree – to leave ful and conscientious discharge of my heat, and using language discourteous to me. More than sive and threatening tones and gestures, whether I meant to to others the settlement of the question duties in the Va. Agr. & Mechl. Col. & once he spoke of my seeking to set myself up as ‘the great impeach his veracity.” about reports, and to go on together as in all official intercourse with you to I am of the College.’” Apparently exhibiting considerable Minor coolly responded to Lane that “if he would have if this difficulty had not occurred. treat you with proper official courtesy. restraint, Minor “said nothing touching the question under it so, it must be so.” Then, Minor recounts, Lane “shook his Yours respectfully, debate, but proposed a postponement.” fist in my face, grinding his teeth and crying Respectfully, Two days later, at Minor’s aloud in rage and I struck him.” C. L. C. Minor request, the faculty again met It was the punch heard James H. Lane to seek a resolution of the ’round the state—and issue. Minor’s report the public was fit to indicates that “Gen. be tied. denouement With the appointment of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee to the VAMC. The new president, John Lee Buchanan, promptly VAMC faculty, 1877-78 VAMC Board of Visitors in early 1879, talk of recasting the reorganized the college, notes Kinnear in his 1972 publica- school in a strict military model commenced full force. Not tion, “especially the military department, along lines which without support, Lee insisted that such a plan would correct have survived to the present time.” “a defective organization of the college and an inefficient sys- Leaving Blacksburg, Minor settled in Winchester, Va., tem of discipline” that had, it was agreed, caused student en- where he purchased Shenandoah Valley Academy, later rollment to plummet more than 60 percent, from 255 cadets teaching in Baltimore and at Episcopal High in Alexandria, in 1875-76 to 160 in 1878-79. A proposal for reorganization Va. He died in 1903 in Albemarle County, Va. scene 3: TKO was prepared and released before Thanksgiving. Lane, who would remain on as commandant of cadets Confident that Minor would find the military model through the next year, initiated changes in the military pro- In the wake of vehement demands made by local lead- a called meeting in August, the board received from Minor objectionable, the board announced his removal from office gram to align it more closely with the program at Virginia ers, the county sheriff hauled Minor and Lane into court. a full account of the fistfight, along with his most compre- before the year had ended. Military Institute. In 1888, VAMC President Lunsford L. According to Kinnear, “after an abundant supply of dirty hensive assessment to date of the school’s programs and At the same time, political control of the state had Lomax, a West Point graduate who had served the Confed- college linen had been aired in public, both men were found operations. Lane, incidentally, was never required to defend shifted to a party hell-bent on dissipating the debt Virginia eracy as a major general, used a legislative appropriation to guilty of disturbing the peace.” his actions. carried as a result of the war and the ensuing reconstruction. erect Barracks No. 1, now known as Lane Hall in a nod to The board of visitors soon after announced a “dubious Undeterred, much of the state continued to call for Mi- Called Readjusters, these politicians not only won control of the first commandant. The centerpiece of the Upper Quad, professional reconciliation” between the two men. If only on nor’s resignation. Bad press persisted, sometimes front-page, the legislature, but also succeeded in electing a governor from Lane Hall remains one of the oldest buildings on campus. paper, Minor and Lane managed to play out a careful de- often erroneous. The school’s growing pains had become their party. Lane, who moved on to teach in Missouri and at Agricul- corum, both expressing a willingness to put conflict behind intolerably painful. In keeping with the new face of state politics, a new tural and Mechanical College of Alabama, died in 1907. them and proceed with the school’s best interests. Later at board of visitors, Readjusters all, was appointed to serve

The images are courtesy of the Historical Photograph Collection, Digital Library Archives, University Libraries, Virginia Tech; and were used in “The Bugle’s Echo: A Chronology of Cadet Life at the Military College in Blacks- burg, Virginia,” by Col. Harry D. Temple. The text of the Minor and Lane letters appeared in “Report of the Presi- 34 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu dent to the Board of Visitors, August 1878,” Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 35 Living Pylons

epilogue The commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and school in the wild Southwest took on change and flourished. its leading research institution, today’s Virginia Tech educates One might even say Virginia Tech—and the Hokie Na- more than 30,000 students annually, including cadets. tion—earned the right to lean upon the trait that’s among Long healed from the black eye dispensed by its fighting its most valuable: that fighting spirit—minus the fists. brotherhood

founding fathers, the university remains committed to its M ichael K ier n a land-grant mission of service and sharing knowledge. Reveal- Rommelyn Conde, a graduate assistant with Virginia Tech honor ing an institutional mettle likely ingrained at its core, the little Magazine, contributed to this story. leadership

The wild, wild Southwest loyalty

Home to Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia’s Near the county’s center, Christiansburg became Montgomery County was destined to be scrappy. First a noted stop along the Wilderness Road and claimed service settled in the mid-1700s by pioneers migrating west Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett among the local color. from the coast, the area later named Blacksburg offered The town was also the site of Virginia’s first rifle duel, good passage across the Allegheny Ridge, along with the bloodshed of which helped spur the 1810 passage sacrifice rolling expanses of fertile land and mountain springs. of the Barbour Bill outlawing the practice. duty ut prosim Virginia Tech TRIUMPHS with Quicken Loans

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Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 37 Living Pylons Living Pylons honor • leadership • service • ut prosim • brotherhood • sacrifice • duty • loyalty

The weekend after taking that lunch pail will signify the asked them about what just command, I took the lunch heartbeat of the company.” happened, and the response pail out of the box, spray- With that statement, my Ma- from one was classic: “Sir, can painted it black, painted “Win” rines took ownership of the we put that in the lunch pail? on the front and “Echo” on the lunch pail. They took owner- ’Cause I would fight for that back, and put a Marine Corps ship by putting interesting, any day of the week!” sticker on the side. During my personal, heartfelt statements Since then, every week I first field-training exercise with of themselves and what they award the lunch pail to the the company, I carried it with care about into the lunch pail. platoon whose work ethic

nn o f G eorge Fly P hotos courtesy me wherever I went; and when That lunch pail would exemplifies the Marine Corps I was teaching a class or simply come to house pictures of standards that I expect from talking to the Marines, I made children, brothers, sisters, the company. When that Capt. George Flynn ’01 (left), who took a lunch-pail mindset to the Marines, chose to it a point to have the pail near- parents, friends, the American platoon is given the lunch pail, write about the Pylon value of service. by. Eventually, Marines started flag, and even some stories the Marines pick someone asking, “Sir, what’s up with the or descriptions of family who best displays those traits, lunchbox?” After correcting traditions, favorite hangouts, and it is his honor to carry them a few times and making or anecdotes that serve as an the lunch pail to all company Why we sure they understood that it example of what it means to training. The Marine who was a lunch pail, I tossed out live in America. carries the lunch pail places it my idea. In January, the company with the company guidon (the I told them all about was en route to Bridgeport, scarlet and gold flag) whenever Virginia Tech and the football Calif., to conduct three weeks the company is training. As fight: team’s use of the lunch pail and of cold-weather training in Marines join the company, how, after April 16, the names the Sierra Nevada mountain they are required to identify Eventually, Lunch pail holds significance of the 32 victims were placed range. About halfway into our the two things for which they Marines inside as remembrance. Based trip, the buses stopped to al- are willing to fight. for Echo Company Marines on that inspiration, I explained low the Marines to buy some Echo Company is now started to the Marines that I wanted snacks at a local grocery store. known throughout the bat- By George Flynn ’01 asking, “Sir, each of them to identify and While in the store, I noticed talion as the blue-collar com- truly understand what they over and over again how many pany that carries the lunch what’s up are fighting for. I wanted to of the Marines could not pail. And I think I have made with the I took command of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on ensure that they took the time move 10 feet down an aisle a few additional Hokie fans in lunchbox?” Nov. 8, 2010. The battalion is stationed in Camp Pendleton, Calif., to truly grasp why they make without someone approach- the process. and its nickname since the Vietnam War has been “The Magnificent the sacrifices that they make ing them and thanking them Bastards.” About a year before assuming command of a company of in the interest of serving this for their service. I thought to Stationed in Camp great country as U.S. Marines. myself, “Put that in the lunch Pendleton, Calif., Capt. Marines, I began looking for ways to inspire them and build a strong My guidance was simple: Pick pail.” On my way out of the George Flynn (business sense of pride for the unit. The one thing I kept coming back to was one thing with emotional store, I watched as a gray information technol- how [a] lunch pail serves to inspire not only the greatest defensive significance and one that serves minivan came to a screech- ogy ’01) is currently scheme in all of football but also everyone who knows what it means as an example of how great this ing halt and two college-aged deployed to Afghanistan to be a Hokie. It certainly has inspired me. With the lunch-pail idea in country is. Each Marine would women jumped out and ran and has deployed three mind, I went on eBay and ordered an antique lunch pail and, when I put a memento of both inside up to two of my 19-year-old times previously in support had a chance to visit Virginia Tech in the spring of 2010, walked onto the lunch pail. lance corporals and asked if of Operations Iraqi and One of them finally said, they could get their picture Enduring Freedom. the Drillfield and put some grass inside, just to give the pail a piece of “Sir, it is kind of like you are taken with them. After the home. The lunch pail then sat on a shelf in my garage, waiting in the asking us to put our hearts women left, I walked up to postal box in which it had been delivered. into that pail, and so in a way, the now-blushing Marines,

38 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 39 Alumnus Profile Alumnus Profile

“I felt it was time to come back and start building the Palestinian foundation.”

“It’s very hard for the private sector to establish a city political organizations on campus and often played the role of anywhere in the world, let alone in a place like Palestine, where organizer. He was always ‘in the know’ as to what was going on.” most of the West Bank is occupied by Israel,” said Masri. “There After graduating, Masri landed a job with a Saudi Arabian are a lot of difficult issues, but there are so many people from company; management training in London preceded his work across the world who came out to help.” To date, the project has on new industrial projects in Saudi Arabia. In 1986, after a been featured by news organizations such as Time Magazine, short stint overseeing production at a Saudi factory, Masri New York Jewish Weekly, CNN, and Fox News. joined LMRC, a management consulting and lobbying firm in That a grand-scale project like Rawabi has come so far is no Washington, D.C. Though Masri started in a position focused surprise. Masri has a long tradition of championing economic on water and wastewater associations, he left in late 1993 as the ourtesy o f B ashar M asri C ourtesy development in Palestine. A native Palestinian, Masri grew up company’s vice president. The Oslo agreement had been signed, in turbulent times; in 1978, he arrived in the U.S. After three and Masri had decided to return to his roots. “I felt it was time semesters at Richard Bland College in Petersburg, Va., Masri to come back and start building the Palestinian foundation,” he set his sights on Virginia Tech because of the school’s strong said. Today, Masri not only serves as general director and chair- program in his intended field. Like many potential students, he man of the board for Massar International, a company with was even more impressed with the university once he visited 15 subsidiaries, including Bayti Real Estate, but he also runs a Blacksburg. “It’s easy to fall in love with Virginia Tech once you charitable organization that provides financial aid and Massar visit the campus.” internships to promising young Palestinians. To those who knew him at Tech, Masri’s potential was Masri also sponsors a number of business-development already evident. “Although Bashar is strong technically, his true efforts. He founded an organization that offers seed funds of up strength—and I believe his true love—lies in his people skills,” to $30,000 to budding entrepreneurs and offers training in how said Joel Walukas (chemical engineering ’83), a classmate and to run a small business. Additionally, he helped establish Pales- BASHAR MASRI ’83 ’83 longtime friend of Masri’s. “Bashar was active in clubs and tine’s first private equity fund. Founded this year, Siraj—which Alumnus builds a city Below: A digital rendering of Rawabi, which, in eight years, is expected to be home to 40,000 residents. in the hills of Palestine By Denise Young

Building a city from scratch is no easy task, but only town center that will bustle with retail and commercial Bashar Masri (chemical engineering ’83) remains enterprises to a performing arts center and cafés, Rawabi—a undaunted. In 2010, Bayti Real Estate, of which name that means “hills” in Arabic—represents the potential of Masri is managing director, broke ground on a prosperity for the nation. new and ambitious project in Palestine: Rawabi, a When Masri first conceptualized the idea in 2007, he planned city that, in eight years, is expected to be faced skepticism from his senior staff and partners. “I threw home to 40,000 residents. the idea on the table, and they said, ‘You must be out of your With a $1 billion budget, the private project is among the mind.’” When staff members reminded Masri of the count- largest in Palestinian history. The city will cater to young pro- less obstacles the project would face, he was undeterred. “I fessionals and families and will meet a crucial need for afford- said, ‘Let’s go around the table and count them.’” The team able housing. “We’re a nation of younger people,” said Masri, counted a total of 102 challenges. Now two years into work noting that 50 percent of the country’s population is below on Rawabi, Masri and his team have overcome most of those 21. From a police department and fire station to a pedestrian- obstacles.

40 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu bayti real estate o f bayti city re n deri gs C ourtesy Alumnus Profile

means “oil lamp,” symbolic of its focus on technology—has already raised $63 million, and Masri expects the fund to top $80 million in October, including plenty of capital from foreign investors. “To someone in the U.S., these figures may look small,” said Masri, “but for Palestine, these are huge figures.” Led by a management team that includes a number of Palestinian- Americans, the fund is already making its first investments. He said his Hokie roots have had a lasting impact on his approach to business. “After I graduated, I realized how much my education meant. As an engineer, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You could use best practices and implement them. I’ve learned a way of thinking, a process of thinking that was very important.” The Virginia Tech experience, particu- larly as a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, also taught him When completed, Rawabi will include a pedestrian-only town center, afford- leadership and service, he said. able housing for residents, and numer- Now Masri is mixing together his passions, his skills, and his resources, ous spaces for retail and commercial providing opportunities for others and thinking on a grander scale. enterprises. “Anyone who knew Bashar [as a student] would remember him as a passionate and tireless advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people,” Walukas said. “So it does not surprise me at all that Bashar would be pour- ing those same energies into creating the Rawabi community.” Philanthropy Philanthropy

Billion-dollar campaign to shape university for years to come

By Albert Raboteau

By some measures, The Campaign for Virginia Tech: Endowments ensure the future Invent the Future is over. The university officially closed the During the campaign, donors created 826 new endow- books on the $1 billion initiative on June 30. ments at Virginia Tech. Of those, 563 were arranged to fund But in terms of impact, the effects of this eight-year fund- scholarships. raising campaign are only starting to be realized. One such sions Center, the Class of 1958 For example, on July 5—just days after the university endowment gates installed at Prices Fork Road had stopped tallying donations toward a total it will formally created the and West Campus Drive, and the announce Nov. 12—Virginia Tech opened a new Visitor and Harry Bram- Center for the Arts under construc- Undergraduate Admissions hall Gilbert tion at the corner of North Main Street and Alumni Mall. Center partly financed with Meritorious donations made during the Scholarship, which was issued for the first time this year and is AIDS and cancer. He is the first in what will be a long line of A billion-dollar milestone expected to help dozens of graduates from the Chesapeake Public campaign. faculty members to benefit from this fellowship. Announcing a $1 billion campaign goal was a milestone for School division every year from now on. Four weeks after “I want to be able to use my organic chemistry knowledge to Virginia Tech, reflecting a new level of ambition for an institu- Aspiring pediatrician Ying Chen, a biological sciences major, campaign-counting solve problems in medicine—in reality,” Santos said. “At the end tion that had raised $337 million in its prior campaign. was one of the recipients. She became interested in medicine as stopped, multiple students of the day, I really want to be able to make a therapeutic drug.” The announcement also put the university into a fairly a young girl while serving as translator for her parents whenever from Chesapeake, Va., were In keeping with his goal of creating treatments that are put exclusive club. Thirty-six U.S. colleges or universities were en- they took her younger brother to doctor appointments. notified that they would to use, Santos is helping start Bringing Science to Market, a gaged in campaigns of $1 billion or more as of November 2010, “I knew even when I was a little girl that whatever profession get scholarships of more than $5,000 apiece for their senior year science-based entrepreneurial program being organized by Vir- I did [pursue], I would want to help people,” Chen said. “Now according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. So when the at Tech, thanks to a $1.29 million fund endowed during the ginia Tech’s College of Science and Pamplin College of Busi- that I’ve been awarded this scholarship, I do plan to save even most recent campaign total is disclosed, it will be a historic mo- campaign. ness. One of the program’s first phases will begin this spring, more money for medical school be- ment for Virginia Tech. Over the coming months, years, and when Santos and cause, as we all know, medical school It just won’t be the final story on what the campaign means. even decades, many more such examples Professor of Bio- really does run your finances into the “Campaigns are less about the dollar goal than they are will arise to demonstrate how the logical Sciences ground.” about what all these donations do to move the institution recently ended campaign is still helping Joseph Falkin- forward,” said Goldsmith. “It’s about what good is done for Virginia Tech and those it serves. Funding promising faculty ham co-teach students, for research, for all the things that are important to an Rae Goldsmith, vice president of ad- Sixty-two new endowment funds a course called institution like Virginia Tech.” vancement resources for the Council for from the campaign were crafted to Drugs, Germs, Advancement and Support of Education, help faculty members. These funds created named professor- and Entrepreneurship. Money from the Blackwood Fellowship Albert Raboteau is a writer for University Development. an international association of educational institutions, said ships or fellowships, set aside resources for specific research, or has already helped Santos travel to conferences and develop his campaigns have an important long-term impact on institutions. established faculty awards. expertise in the entrepreneurial side of drug development. *Council for Advancement and Support of Education Vice President of Advance- ment Resources Rae Goldsmith “Campaigns help build your long-term donor base, and that’s Among those endowments was the Blackwood Junior Fac- Endowments are not the only permanent benefits of a **Chronicle of Higher Education going to serve any institution well for many years,” Goldsmith ulty Fellowship, created in 2006 by Mary (psychology ’73) and campaign. Campaigns help reshape campuses through capital said. “Many donors make bequests or give in some other way Willis (business administration ’72) Blackwood of Midlothian, projects, such as new buildings, renovations, or other improve- that defers gifts to a future point. And many gifts are endowed.” Va., and first awarded in 2010 to Assistant Professor of Chem- ments. Tech’s recent campaign was no exception, coinciding Money from endowed gifts is invested. Because endowment istry Webster Santos. with a period of extensive campus construction. earnings are spent and principal remains untouched, these gifts Santos heads a research group seeking to develop drug com- Private donations made during the campaign have helped continue to provide funds, year in, year out, with no end date. pounds able to disrupt the progression of diseases such as HIV/ with projects including the Visitor and Undergraduate Admis-

44 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 45

Philanthropy a new way to show your Hokie Pride! Your Virginia Tech Alumni Banking partner is With design competitions, Virginia Tech’s Office of Cor- porate and Foundation Rela- StellarOne Bank, one of Virginia’s strongest regional young engineers have a foot in the door tions helps develop partner- banks. We stand ready to serve the over 212,000 By Albert Raboteau ships between industry and Virginia Tech alumni. the university that can benefit Like all seniors majoring in aerospace engineering at Vir- many projects, including stu- Find out more! Go to ... dent design teams. Visit www. alumni banking ginia Tech, Victor Zamora will log many hours on a design ItsStellarBeingaHokie.com project this school year. Unlike many of his classmates, the cfr.vt.edu to learn more. Get VT Alumni Banking Checking Mount Airy, N.C., native also benefited from similar experi- ences as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. Enjoy an Alumni-only checking account and the Throughout his college career, Zamora has participated on “DBF is such a great experience for the students,” he said. chance to receive preferred CD and loan rates while Virginia Tech teams in the Design Build Fly (DBF) competi- “It provides them with a real, hands-on experience that [they] providing financial support to Virginia Tech! tion, tackling a newly unveiled challenge each August. normally would not get in the classroom.” Last year’s task was to build an unmanned aerial vehicle DBF was one of several engineering teams that provided Switch to Virginia Tech Alumni Checking with just one call! that could fit into carry-on luggage and fulfill military demands, Virginia Tech students an extracurricular opportunity to put such as being able to carry ammunition and medical supplies knowledge into practice last year. 855-VTHOKIE (simulated with metal bars and golf balls for the contest). Like the university’s other such teams—including one that

In April, Zamora’s team placed 19th out of the 82 teams won the U.S. Department of Energy’s EcoCar competition in www.ItsStellarBeingaHokie.com 855-VTHOKIE (855.884.6543) • MEMBER FDIC that flew their vehicles in Tucson, Ariz. Virginia Tech’s other June and another that won the international RoboCup robotics team finished 45th. Though he didn’t get a trophy, Zamora said competition in July—the DBF team depends on corporate he learned a great deal from the experience. support to compete effectively. Companies that have sponsored “It strengthened me as an engineer in the sense that I now the team in recent years include Lockheed Martin, MicroTech, have a much greater … skill set, and I also understand the SolidWorks, and Futaba Corp. material [from class] in a much more practical way. That is an ad- Supporting design teams like the ones at Virginia Tech is a vantage you can only have by being involved in flying an aircraft.” way for companies to help prepare a future generation of workers. ™™ Michael Philen, an assistant professor in the Department of The partnerships also give companies an inside recruiting track. SPIRITPIRIT LETTERSETTERS Aerospace and Ocean Engineering and a faculty advisor to the William Mason, an emeritus professor who advised the S L team, also cited the educational benefits of participating. university’s DBF team for many years, said members have gone COLLEGIATE, EVERGREEN WREATH on to work for some of the indus- try’s leading companies. And some Let your neighbors Order Yours Today! have stayed involved in the contest know who you’re as judges, “which makes them good 276-579-7733 pulling for! contacts for [finding] a job,” he said. www.spiritletters.com By bridging the gap between the classroom and the field, such contests Show your spirit not only put theory into practice, but with this also create a vital connection between young engineers and companies in collegiate, evergreen Go Hokies! search of budding talent. wreath on your front door. Albert Raboteau is a writer for SPIRIT LETTERS™ University Development. Patented & licensed by: are available Carolina Fraser Fir Company, LLC exclusively through 2617 Potato Creek Road Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363 Carolina Fraser Fir [email protected] Company, LLC.

46 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu AlumniAlumni Association News Association

Our Impact on the University

For the Alumni Association, the 2010-11 academic year was perhaps our best yet in engaging alumni. More than 25,000 alumni participated in programs on campus or through our alumni chap- ter network and other on-campus events, resulting in a banner year for participation. Young alumni showed growing interest in chapter events, homecomings, and reunions, proving that the tradition of staying involved in the Hokie Nation remains strong. The new Drillfield Series events were successful, centered on themes designed to attract alumni back to campus for special weekend experiences. Four more Drillfield programs are planned in 2012. Another new initiative emphasized career resources and job networking for alumni. In an effort to engage alumni, we created more services, programs, and events than in any year in our past—and that effort paid off. While celebrating the Alumni Association’s 135 years of service, we paused to reflect on how our association has evolved through the years and partnered with the university in so many ways. Thanks to all who made our work on behalf of the university so productive and rewarding. As you’ll see in our annual report on the next four pages, we truly are having a beneficial impact.

J oh n M c C ormick Vice President for Alumni Relations jim stroup

48 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 49 2010-11 Alumni Association Annual Report

Serving alumni Alumni tours Celebrating faculty Supporting students

25,000More than 25,000 alumni and friends attended constituency 19 group tours and 12 individual tours ushered a total of The association recognizes Virginia Tech’s leading professors The Student Alumni Associates organization, the cohesive- programs, special events, chapter events, and reunions on 200 Hokies to locations around the globe, including Italy, with its Faculty Excellence Awards for teaching, research, ness of classes, and student transition programs engage and off campus. Switzerland, and several Mediterranean locations. advising, outreach, and Extension, and for international edu- students, strengthen lifelong loyalty to the university, and cation, outreach, and research (see awards summary, p. 52). raise awareness of Alumni Association services for students The Alumni Distinguished Professor program recognizes and and young alumni. rewards exceptional teaching and scholarship; 10 faculty Alumni chapters Alumni awards110 members hold appointments as Alumni Distinguished Pro- The association scholarship endowment of approximately fessors. $2 million provides annual support for University Honors The Alumni Association has approximately 71 active chap- Since 1972, more than 110 alumni have been honored students. ters and 35 active clubs with a total of 582 volunteers. by the association for achievements in their careers and Virginia Tech faculty members regularly visit alumni chap- $2million service to the Alumni Association, Virginia Tech, and their { ters. Faculty and administrators speak at reunions, constitu- The 100th anniversary of the Virginia Tech class ring tradi- 731731 chapter and club events were held, including 70 univer- communities (see awards summary, p. 52). ency homecomings, and other special events. tion was celebrated as the Class of 2011 dedicated their sity speaker events as well as student/family picnics, com- class gift, a large bronze Centennial Ring on display in the munity service activities, job fairs, and networking events. Squires Student Center atrium. Many chapter volunteers supported the university’s legisla- Engaging leadership tive advocacy efforts at Hokie Day in Richmond. Holtzman Alumni Center Hokies for Higher Education, the legislative advocacy group 62 chapters awarded 173 freshman scholarships totaling Events held at the Holtzman Alumni Center and the Alumni for Virginia Tech, provides vocal backing on issues of impor- { $197,550. Terrace included graduate fairs, an alumni open house dur- tance to the university and to higher education by cultivating ing Homecoming weekend, a graduation celebration for se- support among elected officials. 100th niors, a reception for graduating student leaders, and a wine Embracing service: festival. The Alumni Gallery provides space for receptions 130 alumni and students, the highest number of partici- Reunions, homecomings, and features rotating art exhibits by alumni and local artists. pants to date, visited legislators at the 13th annual Hokie Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) The Alumni Museum attracts many visitors throughout the Day at the General Assembly. Alumni members of the Gen- 130eral Assembly were also hosted at a breakfast in Richmond The Hokie Nation Serves initiative encourages the commit- and special events year. Thousands of alumni and students participated. as the session opened. ment of service hours beyond normal obligations, especially More than 2,700 alumni attended class reunion weekends, during the month of April. The Ut Prosim Update provides college homecomings, a Corps of Cadets homecoming, a Alumni Association in print and online The members of the alumni board of directors are elected news of community service projects involving alumni, stu- multicultural alumni reunion, and a Graduate School home- by the association’s active members and gather twice each dents, faculty, and staff. coming. In addition to the Alumni Association section in each issue of year to advise on programming for the association, evalu- Virginia Tech Magazine, the association continues to reach ate progress in accomplishing annual goals and strategies, 47 alumni chapters participated in 124 community service 167 members of the classes of ’35 through ’60 attended out to alumni through newsletter and event announcements, ensure strong fiscal and administrative management, and projects. the annual spring Old Guard reunion. the association’s website, email communications, and social develop future initiatives. media sites, including Hokie Nation Network, Facebook, and At the fall Chapter Officers Leadership Forum, chapter Approximately 1,750 alumni and friends attended other Twitter. The 135th anniversary celebration of the Alumni Associa- volunteers joined with local scholarship recipients to make special events, and more than 515 attended educational tion’s 1875 founding was attended by former board mem- blankets to benefit local children through124 Project Linus. and special events, such as the Drillfield Series, Civil War Hokie Nation Network bers who were invited back to campus last fall and inducted Weekend, and A Day in the Life of College Admissions. into the association’s new recognition society for past Alumni volunteers and staff worked to clean up a public Alumni Career Resources service on the board, the Gateway Society. beach access park in Hollywood, Fla., prior to the Orange More than 165 alumni and their families attended three Bowl. Drillfield Series events. The new Drillfield Series consisted Designed to assist Hokies seeking employment or consid- Approximately 160 alumni chapter volunteers from 43 of themed weekend programs for alumni and their families. ering a career change, a new program was established to chapters attended the Chapter Officers Leadership Forum, The Alumni Association staff gathered for its first Relay for Program topics included fine dining, photography, science offer career resources and make them available on a central which included workshops, networking opportunities, and a Life team, helping the university raise funds for the American { exploration, and Blacksburg’s annual Steppin’ Out summer website (www.alumni.vt.edu/career). The program includes focus on engaging alumni across generations. Other chapter Cancer Society. For the third year in a row, Virginia Tech’s Re- festival. job postings, interview and résumé tips, webinars and semi- training opportunities on various topics were offered through lay for Life was the nation’s top collegiate fundraising relay. nars, and a career resource library. Several webinars were webinars and teleconferences. 2,700 conducted as part of the new “Tuesday Evening Career Chat” webinar series, in which guest speakers provide presenta- tions on career-related topics. 1875 th (All figures reported are for 2010-11, unless otherwise noted.) 135

50 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 51 Save the Date! Black Alumni Reunion March 15-18, 2012 2010-11 Alumni Association Awards

ALUMNI AWARDS Achievement Outstanding Alumni Admissions Program William H. Ruffner Medal GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Teaching Award Albuquerque Northeast Ohio Houston Chapter John W. Bates III ’63 Outstanding Golf Tournament University Distinguished Achievement Award Serena Ciparis, entomology Austin Omaha Danville Phoenix Loudoun County Chapter, 21st Annual Golf Outing Betty P. Chao ’83 Jacob Moore, engineering education Service Award Service Hilton Head Pinehurst Shenandoah Chapter, 23rd Annual Greater Hokie Open Alumni Distinguished Service Awards Las Vegas Pittsburgh Outstanding Chapter Website Sidney C. Smith Jr. ’63 Brendan Brink-Halloran, planning, governance, and globalization New Orleans/ San Diego Gregory Wilson, computer science (honorable mention) Chicago Chapter John C. Watkins ’69 Baton Rouge Outstanding Chapter Volunteer Graduate Alumni Achievement Award Ryan Ardigo, Prince William Chapter Kirk H. Schulz ’86, ’91 OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNI AWARDS Most Improved Chapters Graduates of the past 10 years are eligible. SUPERLATIVE AWARDS Philadelphia Chapter Lire Ersado ’96, ’98, ’01, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Chapter Event San Diego Chapter Brandon Craft ’05, College of Architecture and Urban Studies First State Chapter and Philadelphia Chapter, An Evening at Outstanding New Chapter AWARDS FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE Raheel S. Khan ’06, ’07, Pamplin College of Business Longwood Gardens The Villages Chapter Laurie McNeill ’00, College of Engineering Outstanding Community Service Project Outstanding Chapter Officers Graduate Academic Advising Darin Oduyoye ’00, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Richmond Chapter, Hokies vs. Hoos Food Fight Robert Eric McClellan, South Florida Chapter George W. Norton, agricultural and applied economics Charisa Morris ’99, ’06, College of Natural Resources Joseph Riccio, Chicago Chapter and Environment Outstanding Fundraising Event Undergraduate Academic Advising Charlotte Chapter, 2011 ACC Football Championship Tickets Hall of Fame, Outstanding Chapter Event Jack Evans, biological sciences Brian Sutton ’01, College of Science Denver Chapter, Wine Tasting and Silent Auction ExcellenceFeihe Huang ’03, ’05, College of Science and Tailgate Extension Maureen Noftsinger ’01, Virginia-Maryland Regional College J. Michael Goatley, crop and soil environmental sciences of Veterinary Medicine Billie Jean Elmer, Surry County 4-H youth development Outstanding Extension agent International Education CHAPTER AWARDS 2010-11 Sedki M. Riad, electrical and computer engineering OUTSTANDING CHAPTER AWARDS International Outreach Alleghany Highlands Middle Tennessee Charles L. Taylor, political science Annapolis Minnesota International Research Atlanta National Capital Region VOTE FOR YOUR COACH Richard E. Wokutch, management Augusta N.C. Triad Baltimore New Jersey AND SCORE WITH SAVINGS. Outreach Central Florida New River Valley Linda F. Tegarden, management Central Pennsylvania New York City Outreach (Team Award) Charlotte Palmetto Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year Award celebrates college football coaches who Elizabeth T. Gilboy, Community Design Assistance Center Chattanooga Patrick Henry best demonstrate the qualities of responsibility, integrity, and excellence. Four Chicago Philadelphia Andrew McCoy, building construction winning coaches each receive $20,000 for the school’s alumni association and Cincinnati Prince William $50,000 for the charity of his choice. So support your school and vote for your coach Research Coastal Carolina Research Triangle today! Naren Ramakrishnan, computer science Columbia Richmond Judy S. Riffle, chemistry Dallas/Fort Worth Roanoke Valley Did you know Liberty Mutual partners with more than 700 alumni associations to offer Denver Rockbridge exclusive savings on auto and home insurance? Just by being a Virginia Tech alum, Teaching East Tennessee San Antonio you could save hundreds of dollars on our quality coverage.* Richard Walker, biological sciences Emporia/Roanoke Rapids Seattle coachoftheyear.com Jessica A. Folkart, foreign languages and literatures First State Shenandoah Show your school spirit! Visit to vote for Coach Frank Beamer—and see how much you could be saving on auto and home insurance! William E. Wine Awards in Teaching Franklin Co./Smith Mtn. Lake South Florida Fredericksburg Southwest Virginia Randall S. Billingsley, finance Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach Tampa Bay Leo E. Piilonen, physics Houston The Villages Snap it and vote. Sharon P. Johnson, foreign languages and literatures Iowa Tri-Cities Jacksonville Western North Carolina Get the free reader Kentuckiana Williamsburg mobile app at Knoxville http://i-nigma.mobi This organization receives financial support for allowing Liberty Mutual to offer this auto and home insurance program. Loudoun County *Savings available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. ©2011 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. 52 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 53 2012 Alumni Association travel tours 2012 Drillfield Series 2012 Drillfield Series Life should be experienced and explored. Broaden your Food for Thought: Exploring Virginia Hokie Fitness, Health, and Wellness Wine and Fine Cuisine June 1-3, 2012 horizons and breathe in new adventures with other Hokies! Feb. 3-5, 2012 Stimulate your summer as you learn about Tech programs that Treasures of Costa Rica European Mosaic India and Nepal Join us for elegant and informative presentations to learn focus on healthy lifestyles. Topics include fitness and nutri- AHI Travel Go Next (Oceania Cruises) AHI Travel about the wine industry, agriculture, tourism, and food and tion, healthy cooking, child development, functional living, and Feb. 27-March 10 | $3,895* June 16-27 | $3,999* Oct. 14-28 | $5,595* wine production from academic and industry experts. Stroll more. Enjoy special access and demonstrations at our student (air included)** through tantalizing food stations, sample wine pairings, and fitness center, and join the VT Venture Out staff to explore Asian Explorations Aegean Marvels dance the night away to the music of a live band—all while the great outdoors around the New River Valley. Go Next (Oceania Cruises) Waterways of Russia Go Next (Oceania Cruises) enjoying the beautiful Inn at Virginia Tech. March 23-April 9 | $3,999* AHI Travel Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | $1,749* (air included)** HokieCation: Family-fun Vacation, (air included)** July 14-24 | $3,895* Focus on Photography II Hokie-style Ancient Civilizations May 2012, date to be announced July 5-8, 2012 Waterways and Canals of Holland Best of Australia Go Next (Oceania Crusies) Do you want to take better pictures, but aren’t sure where to Join this special opportunity for singles, couples, and families and Belgium Continuum Education Travel Nov. 4-15 | $2,799* (air included)** start? 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This organization receives financial support for allowing Liberty Mutual to offer this auto and home insurance program. *Discounts are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Savings figure based on a February 2011 sample of auto policyholder savings when comparing their former premium with those of Liberty Mutual’s group auto and home program. Individual premiums and savings will vary. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. © 2011 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. HokieZone revenue helps sup- port student programs and 54 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu scholarships. Book Notes Book Notes

Sing!: The Living Law of At- and Healing,” biography of memoir, mental illness, Au- science ’69), “Dreams of Hope,” traction in Action,” memoir, daughter of Hank Williams thorHouse. novel, sports, CreateSpace. deafness, DMF Publishing. Jr., Da Capo Press. Rachel Lark (architecture LaVerne Thornton FICTION Poetry ’09), “Capacity for Delight,” (mechanical engineering ’59), Weston Cutter (M.F.A. George A. Bowers memoir, online dating, Cre- “Walk in ’e Moon,” memoir, ’09), “You’d Be Stranger, Too,” (agricultural education ’86), ateSpace. Southern life, Chapel Hill short stories, BlazeVOX “Valley Verses,” Lulu. Charles Lytton (fisheries Press Inc. Books. J. Robert DiFulgo (M.A. Children’s/Teen books by alumni and wildlife ’75), “New River Robert van Luyn (indus- Bonnets, Apple Butter and trial engineering ’63), “From education ’83), “The Invisible Angie Smibert (biology ’85), “Memento Nora,” young- Editor’s note: Primarily because of the volume of erence, running/marathons, Jeff Voivoda (manage- Moonshine: The Raising of a Lion to Eagle,” memoir, immi- Moon,” novel, Vietnam War, adult science fiction novel, submissions we receive, we have elected to adjust the self-published. ment science ’89), “Data Fat Little Boy,” memoir, South- gration, WWII, Pocahontas Athena Press. Marshall Cavendish. format of Book Notes. Alongside a list of publications, Mickey E. Gunter (M.S. Analysis and Harmoniza- west Virginia, CreateSpace. Press. Beth Groundwater (soft- Jenny Werner (interdis- one book is featured to the right. geological sciences ’82, Ph.D. tion,” reference, iUniverse. M.B. Roberts (commu- Wendy K. Williamson ware engineering ’83), “Deadly Submission guidelines, available online at www. Currents,” mystery novel, first ciplinary studies ’00), “My Pa- ’87), “Mineralogy and Optical Trenor Williams (biol- nication ’86) and Hilary Wil- (hotel, restaurant, and insti- vtmagazine.vt.edu/bookreview.html, remain the same. in series, Midnight Ink. dres Baseball Game,” picture Mineralogy,” textbook, Miner- ogy ’92) and Anita Samarth, liams, “Sign of Life: A Story tutional management ’93), To submit a book, mail it to Book Notes, Virginia “Electronic Health Records of Family, Tragedy, Music, “I’m Not Crazy Just Bipolar,” Miller B. Jones (political book, Mascot Books. Tech Magazine, 105 Media Building, Blacksburg, VA alogical Society of America. for Dummies,” reference, 24061. You can also email a high-resolution cover im- Belinda B. McFeeters age, along with your name, the name of the publisher, (Ph.D. educational leader- Wiley Publishing. the genre, and a brief description of the book, to ship and policy studies ’06) Featured Author: John Wiley Jr., ‘Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind’ [email protected]. We must receive the book within one et al., editor, “The Leading Biography/Memoir year of its publication date. Across Differences: Cases Robert H. Crewdson John Wiley Jr. (communication ’80) a startling realization to Mitchell that she clever I’d say / So please! Will you write us (chemical engineering ’55), and Perspectives,” reference, has assembled one of the world’s largest and her husband could not simply shut their a sequel / To ‘Gone With the Wind’ some NONFICTION Theory and Children’s Litera- “Love and War: A Southern collections of Margaret Mitchell and social identity-based conflicts, door and be left alone. And, more distress- other day.” No matter how demanding or ture,” critical essays, University Soldier’s Struggle Between “Gone with the Wind” memorabilia, Pfeiffer Publishing. ing was that some people might take offense witty the entreaty, Mitchell could not be Critical/Reference of Nebraska Press. Cadden Love and Duty,” Civil War including every American edition of the at their attempt to do so. ... But the author swayed. also published “Ursula K. Le William C. Ray (civil Larry G. Aaron (biology love letters, Mariner Pub- 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and was no pushover. ... © 2011 by Taylor Trade Publishing Inc. All Guin Beyond Genre: Fiction engineering ’65, M.S. ’66), ’68), “The Wreck of the Old lisher. more than 800 international editions. Reporters hounded her for interviews materials reprinted with author’s permission. for Children and Adults,” criti- “Mount Gilead History and 97,” historical reference, His- Bainy Cyrus (horticul- He has been interviewed by NPR, and photographs. ... Seeing no reason to cal, Routledge. Heritage,” historical reference, tory Press. ture ’85), “All Eyes: A Mem- Entertainment Weekly, and USA Today, have her private business on display for Christine Davis (com- self-published. Jim Battle (mechanical oir of Deafness,” memoir, among others. For almost 25 years, he public consumption or to have her face munication ’79), “Death: The Leslie Schwindt-Bayer engineering ’70), “Scriptures CreateSpace. has published a quarterly newsletter, appear in the newspapers several times Beginning of a Relationship,” (political science ’96), “Politi- Alive! – How to Study the Bi- Alexander DeVolpi The Scarlett Letter, for “Gone With the a week, she declined countless requests. reference, ethnography of cal Power and Women’s Rep- ble,” reference, self-published. (M.S. nuclear engineering Wind” fans and collectors. … Mitchell [turned down] offers from hospice organization, Hamp- resentation in Latin America,” Bo Begole (Ph.D. com- physics ’57, Ph.D. ’67), “Lover, This year, in conjunction with the the Saturday Review of Literature, ton Press. Davis, et al., also critical, Oxford University puter science ’98), “Ubiquitous published “Straight Talk about Soldier, Reprobate,” biog- book’s 75th anniversary, Wiley co-au- Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and Ladies Press. Computing for Business,” ref- Communication Research raphy of Bonaventura Paul thored “Margaret Mitchell’s ‘Gone With Home Journal, among others, for her to John D. Ross (Ph.D. cur- erence, Financial Times Press. Methods,” reference, Kendall- Weiss DeVolpi, CreateSpace. the Wind’: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from write essays, articles, or short stories. … riculum and instruction ’99), Stephen Bloch (math- Hunt Publishing. Thomas E. Dewan Atlanta to Hollywood.” The following Mitchell also refused to write a sequel to ematics ’86), “Picturing Richard D. Dickerson “Online Professional Devel- (business administration excerpt discusses Mitchell’s reluctance to “Gone With the Wind.” The public was Programs: An Introduction (economics ’69) and J.K. Har- opment: Design, Deliver, Suc- ’65), transcriber, “Red Raider play the “celebrity game”: enthralled by the book’s open ending and to Computer Programming,” ris, “Sales Flashpoint: Fifteen ceed!,” reference, Corwin. Diary,” WWII diary of Mer- Whether Mitchell would be a celebrity, wanted to know if Scarlett and Rhett textbook, College Publications. Strategies for Rapid-Fire Sales Celie Brown Thomas ill Thomas Dewan, RoseDog however, was not up to her. The public’s reunited. … A fan in North Carolina Mike Cadden (English Growth,” reference, Entrepre- (education ’75), “Manifest- Books. whim and fancy would make that determi- used rhyme to plead her case. She sent ’86, elementary education neur Press. ing the Kingdom: The Active Michael James Gannon nation, and from the way things were shap- Mitchell a poem about the novel, with ’87, M.A. ’89), editor, “Telling Evan S. Fiedler (biology Meditation Handbook,” refer- (nutrition and food science ing up, it appeared she would be cast into a final stanza: “Your style I considered Children’s Stories: Narrative ’90), “Come Run with Me,” ref- ence, Wish Book Press. ’84), “If These Ears Could that realm regardless of her desires. It was most pleasing / You are wonderfully

56 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Touch the future. Class Notes

Alumni, we want to hear what you’ve been doing. Although we cannot print stories or obituaries, we can post online photographs of weddings, babies, and spirited alumni. Mail photos to Virginia Tech Magazine, 105A Media Building, Blacksburg, VA 24061, or email them to [email protected]. Please mail career, retirement, wedding, birth, and death notices to Alumni Notes, Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Holtzman Alumni Center, Blacksburg, VA 24061; send them via email to [email protected]; or submit them online at www.vtmagazine.vt.edu/submit.classnotes.html. Editor’s note: For privacy reasons, all mailing addresses may now be viewed online at www.alumni.vt.edu/directory by log- ging in with your Virginia Tech PID and password. For assistance, dial 540-231-6285. J oh n M c C ormick Attention 2001 graduates: In January 2012, the Schiffert Health Center will destroy the medical records of all 2001 graduates. If you would like a copy of your records, please contact Paula Robertson at 540-231-9430 or [email protected] before Dec. 1.

president of Nova Southeast- for distinguished efforts in design director and Capital Paul J. Clarke (COMM), ern University. mentoring and supporting Improvements PLC for the Sioux Falls, S.D., is chief ’50s improved employment con- Naval Facilities Engineering building official for the ’66 ditions for PGA (Professional Command. Minnehaha County, S.D., ’52 Golfers’ Association of government. Thomas E. Watson (ME), America) professionals. ’78 Jim F. Short (CHE), Dayton, Staunton, Va., is the presi- Judy S. Riffle (CHEM), Va., serves on the board of dent-elect of the American Nicholas P. Marica (UA), Deborah Martin Petrine Blacksburg, Va., received the directors for the Hampton Society of Heating, Refriger- Madison Heights, Va., re- (MGT), Hardy, Va., received 2011 Alumni Award for Excel- Roads Sanitation District. ating, and Air-Conditioning ceived his master of arts in the 2011 Distinguished lence in Research. Engineers. human services from Liberty Alumnus Award from the ’54 University. Pamplin College of Business. R. Christopher Rosenthal ’67 Paul M. Saunders (AGE), (ACCT), Edgewater, Md., is ’74 Mary Jane Saunders (HIST), secretary of The Baltimore Piney River, Va., was Michael G. Kelley (GEOL), McLean, Va., is general Estate Planning Council. inducted into the College College Station, Texas, earned John G. Kines Jr. (URBA), counsel of the Beer Institute. of Agriculture and Life Sci- his Ph.D. in history from Geor- Disputanta, Va., was re- Winston Samuels (ANSC, ences’ Hall of Fame. gia State University. appointed for a five-year ’79 ANSC ’83), Roanoke, Va., term by Gov. Bob McDonnell founder and president of ’59 ’68 to the Virginia Commission Jennifer N. Browne (ARCH), Maxx Performance, opened a on Local Government. Philadelphia, Pa., is director A. Wayne Bennett (EE, EE T. Nelson Keech (EM ’69), of laboratory planning for the new research and manufac- ’63), Clemson, S.C., was Winchester, Va., retired as ’75 architecture firm of Francis turing facility in Roanoke. honored as one of the 25 chief engineer from the Na- Cauffman. The company produces inaugural members of the val Surface Warfare Center Marcus Alley (AGRN ’71, microencapsulation and University of Florida’s Electri- after 46 years of service and AGRN), Blacksburg, Va., William G. Ferrell Jr. (NSE), encapsulation technologies cal and Computer Engineer- is now consulting for NTI was named a Fellow of the Clemson, S.C., was elected used by food and vitamin ing academy. Corporation. American Association for the a fellow of the Institute of manufacturers. Advancement of Science. Industrial Engineers. James C. Graves (AGEC Arthur K. Reilly (EE), Lake- ’82 Rosemary Carucci Goss ’61), Toano, Va., was wood Ranch, Fla., is chair for Deborah L. Floyd (EDCC), David W. Dunaway inducted into the College (MHFD ’76), Blacksburg, Va., (HORT), the National Science Board’s Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was Richmond, Va., is a horticul- of Agriculture and Life Sci- was named the Residential Audit and Oversight Commit- named 2011 Distinguished ture technician for Virginia ences’ Hall of Fame. Property Management tee and has been appointed Teacher of the Year at Cooperative Extension. by the Internet Society to Advisory Board Professor by Florida Atlantic University. the Virginia Tech Board of the Board of Directors of the ’83 ’60s Public Interest Registry. Visitors. Edwin J. Jones (FIW, FIW ’83), Blacksburg, Va., is as- Victor B. Calaman Jr. ’69 Lewis L. Lanier (BIOL), San sociate dean of the College (MKTG), Richmond, Va., is ’63 Francisco, Calif., was elected of Agriculture and Life Sci- the owner of Calaman Land- M.P. Mizell (BC), Frederick, to the American Academy of John W. Bates III (BAD), ences and director of Virginia scape Design LLC. Md., received his 40-year Arts and Sciences. Richmond, Va., received the Cooperative Extension. achievement pin from Clark 2011 William H. Ruffner Betty P. Chao (IEOR), Albu- Construction. Mark Mamula (AOE), Medal in recognition of his Eric J. Shaw (PSYC), New- querque, N.M., is the recipi- Haymarket, Va., is executive port, R.I., is a professor at ent of Tech’s 2011 University loyal and enthusiastic sup- director, business develop- port of the university. the Naval War College. Distinguished Achievement Robert Hemm’s gift to Virginia Tech will touch the future – without touching his lifetime assets. ment lead, tactical systems, Award. ’70s at Aerojet. Joseph A. Knight (EE), ’71 Retirement from the world of business hasn’t slowed Class of 1950 alumnus Robert Hemm’s enthusiasm for Catharpin, Va., retired as Billie Jean Poole Elmer ’76 ’80s (AGED), Waverly, Va., senior associate at Zeta As- Clay B. Walker the business of life as a pilot, photographer, and explorer. (BIOL, MICR received the 2011 Alumni sociates Inc. ’72, MICR ’77), Gainesville, Michael G. Miller (AGEC), ’80 Richmond, Va., was inducted Award for Excellence in Fla., is associate dean for fac- Extension. Bob’s beneficiary designation will support Pamplin College of Business with a gift from his retirement account after ’64 ulty affairs at the University of into the College of Agricul- Christopher J. Colston Florida College of Dentistry. ture and Life Sciences’ Hall (MKTG ’81), Oak Hill, Va., is his lifetime. George R. Webb (EM), of Fame. president of James Doctor Daniel J. Murray (AOE), Mill Creek, Wash., is chief Norfolk, Va., was conferred ’72 Press Inc. and publisher of Discover how you can touch the future with a beneficiary designation, a gift through your will or trust, or the professor emeritus title Amanda VanPelt Scott the 2011 Hokie Football engineer of electronics sys- by the Christopher Newport A. Carole Pratt (BIOL), (ELED), Roswell, Ga., is a Annual. tems for Boeing Commercial even with a gift that pays you lifetime income. Whatever your circumstances, the Office of Gift Planning can University Board of Visitors. Dublin, Va., is a Robert Wood volunteer missionary in Te- Airplanes. He retired June 1 after 38 Johnson Fellow. gucigalpa, Honduras, work- ’81 help you find a gift that fits your life. years of service. ing for the LAMB Institute. Mary Kathryn Burkey Ow- ’73 Brian J. Clark (FW), George- ens (ENGL), Midlothian, Va., ’65 ’77 town, S.C., was selected as was recognized by Virginia C. Nelson Long Jr. (PSCI), the 2011 Professor of the Lawyers Media as a member George L. Hanbury II (PAD Bedford, N.Y., received the Maury S. Saunders Year at Horry-Georgetown of the 2011 class of Influen- Contact the Office of Gift Planning ’66), Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is 2010 Bill Strausbaugh Award (ARCH), Herndon, Va., is Technical College. tial Women of Virginia. Phone 800-533-1144 or 540-231-2813 1872 VirginiaTech Email [email protected] Invent the Future® Visit www.givingto.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 59

VTUD 2011 Ad Camp 06.1 [Robert Hemm].indd 1 8/18/11 3:07 PM Class Notes Class Notes

’84 Outstanding Superinten- was named the J. Willard Tracy Skidmore Woodhead William J. Wright (MKTG), Outstanding Master’s Stu- Architecture alumnus plies his trade close to home dent by the Curry School of and Alice S. Marriott Junior (IS, FR), Woodbridge, Va., dent for 2010-11 in Virginia Chester M. Mummau Richmond, Va., earned his Weddings Education at the University Faculty Fellow of Hospitality earned her master of arts in M.B.A. with a concentra- Tech’s College of Science. By Chad o’Kane m.a. ’11 (AGED), Wyalusing, Pa., is of Virginia. Management by the Virginia management and leadership tion in global business from superintendent of the Wy- Tech Board of Visitors. from Webster University. Virginia Commonwealth Graham T. Wasilition ’82 Timothy B. Trotman and In his short but distinguished career, Ian Colburn (architecture ’03), alusing Area School District. ’89 University. (MSE), Austin, Texas, is Terri T. White, Chesapeake, Michael M. Taylor (HIST), ’99 the founder and managing Va., 8/28/10. a senior designer and project manager with Snøhetta, an international Donna C. Ratcliffe Anita Vincent Cucchiaro (EDSP, Leesburg, Va., is general ’04 partner of Truth Spirits, EDSP ’88), Roanoke, Va., (PSCI), Blacksburg, Va., counsel for Americom Gov- Dina P. Bato (ACCT), India- which develops and imports ’93 Kelly W. Buechner and architectural firm headquartered in Norway, has had the opportunity to Michael P. Giordano received the Distinguished earned her M.D. degree and ernment Services Inc. napolis, Ind., professed her (PSCI), artisinal liquor products. Patrick Buechner, Alexandria, work on some dynamic projects. While based in Oslo, Colburn built study Service Award from the is a resident physician for first vows as a member of the Yorktown, Va., earned his Va., 5/13/11. Eastern Association of Col- George Washington Univer- Christopher J. Yianilos Sisters of Providence. juris doctorate from the Uni- ’07 and presentation models for the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, a leges and is interim director sity Hospital’s anesthesiol- (PSCI), Alexandria, Va., was versity of Richmond School ’97 Jennifer A. Wilson and of Virginia Tech Dining ogy program. named an affiliate faculty Scott A. Postle (ME), Kern- of Law. Alexis B. Bozzo (IDST, ’00 William Junda, Lees- project that would go on to win the firm the Mies van der Rohe Award, an Services. member in Virginia Tech’s ersville, N.C., is engineer- PSCI), Knoxville, Tenn., is a burg, Va., 3/26/11. Stephen M. Jones esteemed honor that recognizes excellence and innovation in conceptual Michael F. Little (BAD, BAD political science depart- ing manager for seating at (PSYC), research manager for Prince Penelope A. Ribar Waugh ’91), New York City, N.Y., was ment and is director of TIMCO Aerosystems LLC in Glen Allen, Va., received William County Department ’00 Lara K. Digan and Sean and constructional terms. his Ph.D. in depth psychol- (PSYC), Herndon, Va., nominated to a committee the Hokies on Capitol Hill Greensboro, N.C. of Economic Development. M. Garahan, Guttenberg, N.J., launched www.motherearth- chair role within the New program. ogy from Pacifica Graduate Now based in the firm’s Institute. 10/9/10. meals.com, a website that York Society of Security Joyce A. Vest (EDVT), Pem- Dustin D. Flannery (HNFE), New York City offices, Col- offers healthy meal tips, Analysts. ’96 broke, Va., received the 2011 Meredith B. Linkous Woodbury Heights, N.J., ’01 Ashley G. DeLaney monthly meal plans, recipes, Provost Award for Excellence received his doctor of osteo- and ’04 Robert E. Thomas burn is applying his talents grocery shopping lists, and Michael F. Bianchin (MKTG), Smyrna, Ga., is a (ENGL), Matthews, N.C., is in Advising. marketing manager for Yan- pathic medicine degree from Jones, Arlington, Va., to a project close to his advice on cancer-fighting the Philadelphia College of 10/16/10. foods. ’90s a cardiovascular account mar America Corporation. speciality sales manager Osteopathic Medicine. roots. He started working ’03 Adam T. Breslin and ’86 ’91 with Eli Lilly. ’00s Mari G. Oh (MKTG), on the Center for the Arts Centreville, Va., received a Andrew P. McCoy (BCSM), Shannon Boyle, Philadel- Blacksburg, Va., received James B. Lackey (AOE), Sherry Bryan (ARCH), Nathan R. Butler (ARCH), ’00 distinguished leadership phia, Pa., 11/5/10. at Virginia Tech toward the Leonardtown, Md., is the Memphis, Tenn., received Orlando, Fla., received the award from the Armed Forces the 2011 Alumni Award for deputy director for air war- the Francis Gassner Award Nils M. Schweizer Commu- Kenneth E. Proctor (ARCH), Communications and Elec- Outreach Excellence for ’03 Aaron J. Horton and ’10 end of the design develop- fare, Office of the Secretary from the Memphis Chapter nity Service Award. Baldwin, Md., is a registered tronics Association. team achievement. Megan L. Hill, Winston- ment phase and will con- of Defense. of the American Institute of architect in the State of Salem, N.C., 4/25/11. Andrew J. McKinley Architects. Jesus E. Gomez (CE, CE Maryland. ’05 tinue through the project’s Kirk H. Schulz (CHE, CHE ’00), West Chester, Pa., (ARCH), Albuquerque, N.M., ’03 William R. Weinheimer Ian Colburn ’03 Walton L. Dabney ’91), Manhattan, Kan., presi- Thomas H. Cox was named to the CE ’01 (PSCI), has earned his license to and Eunice Lee, Falls completion, which is slated (CE), La Indianapolis, Ind., earned his dent of Kansas State Uni- Plata, Md., is chief engineer News Power List, which practice as an architect Church, Va., 4/2/11. for mid-to-late 2013. “This provides an excellent opportunity to reconnect versity, was the recipient of celebrates individuals who Michael S. Finnegan (PUA), juris doctorate from Indiana in the Commonwealth of and capital improvements University, Indianapolis Law the 2011 Graduate Alumni business line coordinator for seek to elevate the civil Fairfax, Va., is director of con- Virginia. ’04 Jennifer M. Redmond with Virginia Tech,” he said. engineering profession. School. Achievement Award. the Naval Facilities Engineer- struction and development and ’05 Steven Miller, Colburn and his colleagues at Snøhetta envision the center, which will ing Command. for Gumenick Properties. ’08 Fairfax, Va., 8/28/10. Jennifer Carpenter West Lindsey McCulloch Kline ’87 (BSE), Knoxville, Tenn., is Leah G. Ferrebee (HORT), be the most modern building on campus, as a bridge between Blacksburg (PSCI), Chester, Va., is a ’02 ’04 Reed P. Quinn and ’05 ’92 a research associate at Virginia Beach, Va., as a Theodore J. Faulkner shareholder and director of Katherine Burke, South Rid- and Virginia Tech. “The site is situated at a prime location between the (HRIM), Radford, Va., is Keith F. Durkin the law firm Spotts Fain PC John J. Charonko III the Center for Renewable Peace Corps volunteer, (SOC, SOC Carbon at the University of ing, Va., 10/23/10. campus and downtown, giving it the ability to become a Blacksburg focal senior associate director ’96), Ada, Ohio, is editor-in- in Richmond, Va. (ESM, EM ’05, BMES ’09), accompanied kids from the Blacksburg, Va., received the Tennessee. Rehoboth Children’s Home of Virginia Tech Dining chief of the International ’04 Eric M. Young and point and regional magnet,” Colburn said. “We hope to enrich and blur the ’97 Outstanding Paper Award to the Smithsonian Folklife Services. Journal of Sociological Katrina E. Goens, Richmond, in fluid mechanics from Mike H. McCarthy (PSCI), Festival. Research. Va., 4/2/11. threshold between the campus and downtown and to collect a multitude of Timothy E. Long (CHEM), Duncan H. McPherson Measurement Science and Arlington, Va., is a judge (ARCH), Asheville, N.C., is advocate in the U.S. Marine people in order to partake and interact in the arts.” Blacksburg, Va., was named John C. Henson Technology Journal. ’09 (COMM), principal for Sansel Archi- Corps and a special assistant ’05 Megan A. Stobart and a Mark Scholar by the Roanoke, Va., is a creative ’06 Richard L. Gallagher Colburn’s love for construction and design dates back to his childhood tects PA. Heidi Scheusner Leming U.S. attorney for the South- Rosemary R. Patterson , American Chemical Society director for Access Advertis- Philadelphia, Pa., 10/30/10. for his leadership in the (ELPS), Brunswick, Ga., is ern District of California. (MINE), Blacksburg, Va., is a in Colorado, where his family was involved in the industry. It was his time ing & Public Relations. Peter M. Sforza combined fields of polymer (BIOL, assistant vice president for fundraising participant who PPWS ’05), Blacksburg, Va., Arash M. Sadighi (HIST), ’05 David K. Melick and ’07 at Virginia Tech, however, that truly cultivated his passion for the craft. science and engineering Kenneth K. Yoo student life at the College of cycled across the country to (ECAS), received Tech’s 2011 XCali- Vienna, Va., received his juris support the mission of the Patricia S. Schultz, Centrev- and also received the Pres- Atlanta, Ga., is chief risk Coastal Georgia. “The [architecture program] allows students the time, space, and freedom to ber Award for excellence in doctorate from the University 4K for Cancer. ille, Va., 5/1/10. sure Sensitive Tape Council officer at the Federal Home of Akron School of Law. teaching with technology. Timothy B. Parent (ECON), explore, test, succeed, and fail,” Colburn said. “We essentially learned to teach 2011 Carl Dahlquist Award Loan Bank of Atlanta. ’06 Robert A. Carlton and for his research relating to Troy, Va., is sales and market- ’98 Lisa E. Steiner (HD), ’07 Sarah A. Violette, Kings- ourselves. This skill, coupled with motivation, can take you anywhere.” adhesive tape technology. ing manager for Gumenick ’93 Wharton, N.J., earned her ’10s ton, Pa., 1/29/11. Steven V. Coxon (ENGL, Properties. master’s degree in occupa- Darrell G. Mottley Eric Cramer (ESM, (BAD, BAD ’95), EDCI ’00), St. Louis, Mo., tional therapy from Columbia ’06 Eric T. Panian ’07 ’10 and Chad O’Kane (M.A. communication ’11) was a graduate assistant with BAD ’94), Alexandria, Va., is Woodstock, Ga., is senior was the 2010 winner of ’03 University. Kimberly A. Heitmann president of the District of portfolio manager for Buck- , the Joyce VanTassel-Baska Capt. Garrett A. Blakely Susan L. Bland (COMM), Reston, Va., 6/19/10. Virginia Tech Magazine. Columbia Bar. head Investment Partners of Award for Excellence in (ACIS), Oceanside, Calif., ’06 Blacksburg, Va., is com- Atlanta. Gifted Education. ’07 Allison M. Jarnagin ’88 received the Department of Scott V. Cramer (CE, CE munications manager for and ’07 Daniel R. Phipps, ’94 Jackson A. Evans (EDCI, Defense Air Medal with “V” ’08), Williamsburg, Va., is the Center for the Arts at Elizabeth Truex Gilboy EDCI ’09), Blacksburg, Va., device from the U.S. Marine a staff engineer to the site Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, Va., 6/18/11. ’08 Kevin R. Hoch and ’08 Smith, Doylestown, Pa., a ’93 Ronnie T. Burchett and (LAR), Blacksburg, Va., Michael D. Hagge (ARCH received the university’s Corps for his service in planning and engineering Lindsey T. Yann, Nashville, daughter, 7/15/10. ’01 Amy Morris Burchett, Amanda R. Daquila ’07 Elizabeth T. Dail ’08 received the 2011 Alumni ’95), Memphis, Tenn., re- 2011 Alumni Award for Afghanistan. team at Draper Aden Associ- (HIST), and Tenn., 6/25/11. Christiansburg, Va., a son, Award for Outreach Excel- Blacksburg, Va., received a Hunter Rawley, Sterling, Va., ceived the Francis Gassner Excellence in Undergradu- ates in Blacksburg, Va. ’91 Cindi Hurt Crawford, 1/28/11. lence for team achievement. Award from the Memphis ate Academic Advising. Brian J. Daniels (BIT), Fulbright U.S. Student Grant 7/30/10. Mechanicsville, Va., a son, to teach English in Germany. Chapter of the American Blacksburg, Va., is the associ- Lindsay T. Key (COMM), 3/23/11. ’94 Christopher J. Yianilos, James M. Goatley (AGRN), Institute of Architects and a ate director of internal audit Radford, Va., is the communi- ’07 Brian A. Rock and Olivia Births and adoptions Shawn G. Talmadge (HNFE Alexandria, Va., a daughter, Blacksburg, Va., received Course Redesign Fellow- ’00), Glen Allen, Va., re- at Virginia Tech. cations officer for Fralin Life Susan N. Perkins (HD), L. Sandown, Woodbridge, ’93 Eric D. App, Glen Allen, 4/9/11. Tech’s 2011 Alumni Award ship from the University of ceived the U.S. Army’s Gen. Science Institute at Virginia Boise, Ind., received the Va., 5/21/11. ’87 Lisa Marie Stout Va., a son, 11/7/10. for Excellence in Extension. Memphis. Douglas MacArthur Leader- Evan S. Mann (ARCH), New Tech. 2011 Outstanding Disserta- Hatcher, Alexandria, Va., a ship Award for Outstanding York, N.Y., started his own tion Award for her research ’07 Lauren C. Caprio and son and daughter, 2/10/11. ’93 Catherine Guy Batch- ’94 Tracy Reynolds Roger N. Morris (MKED), Nancy G. McGehee (SOC, Company Grade Officer for architecture firm, Evan Mann Michael S. Painter (BIOL), on how clients influence the ’07 Christopher D. Sedlak, elor, Charlottesville, Va., a Zeleskey, Dallas, Texas, a Stuart, Va., was named SOC ’99), Blacksburg, Va., 2010. Architect. Blacksburg, Va., was named outcome of their counseling. Manassas, Va., 9/18/10. ’87 Alexa E. Graffeo daughter, 3/19/11. daughter, 1/5/11.

60 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 61 Class Notes Class Notes

’96 John R. Pierce, ’00 Jessica R. Reed, Rich- ’05 Kristen N. Bondurant ’43 Edward H. Van Dorn, ’48 William R. Lewis Jr., ’51 William M. Guthrie, ’56 David E. Bass, Mechan- Bokeelia, Fla., a son, mond, Va., a son, 5/25/11. and ’05 Christopher P. Cheyenne, Wyo., 4/21/11. Parksley, Va., 6/29/11. Dublin, Va., 5/7/11. icsvlle, Va., 4/22/11. Rogue Steel melds metalworking and theatre 12/15/10. Sloan, Appomattox, Va., a ’01 Yolanda J. Gimenez daughter, 7/31/10. ’44 Donald A. Caldwell, ’49 Paul H. Bame, Lodi, ’51 Joseph T. Henley Jr., ’56 Willard N. Dameron By Olivia Kasik ’97 Kendall Taney Cum- and ’02 Richard M. Ertel Calif., 12/12/10. Crozet, Va., 5/27/11. Jr., Fredericksburg, Va., Jr., Portsmouth, N.H., 5/26/10. mings and ’98 Nathan P. Alexandria, Va., a daugh- ’06 Kourtney Ty Vaillan- 4/18/11. ter, 4/1/11. As an actor often involved in stage combat, Neil Massey (theatre arts Cummings, Gaithersburg, court, Las Cruces, N.M., a ’44 Henry J. Dekker, Walk- ’49 Lee E. Dolan Jr., Win- ’51 Thomas D. Irvin, Engle- Md., a son, 2/16/11. son, 5/30/11. chester, Va., 6/16/11. wood, Colo., 4/16/11. ’56 William F. Heer ’01 Jenny Vogel Lipford, ersville, Md., 6/13/11. , Okatie, ’88) observed that the weaponry used on stage was either high quality and Lynchburg, Va., a daughter, S.C., 5/23/11. ’97 Sharon Trader Topp ’06 Jamie Bates Winfield ’49 Hilda G. Partlow, Yard- ’51 Keith C. Jeffreys, Sa- expensive or cheap and unreliable. In 1999, Massey decided to put his met- 12/15/10. and ’08 James D. Winfield, ’44 Robert H. Levine, Boca and ’99 Jeffrey M. ley, Pa., 5/22/11. lem, Va., 4/29/11. ’56 Alfred I. Jones Jr., Topp Bumpass, Va., a son, Raton, Fla., 6/5/11. alworking skills and knowledge of stage combat to good use, forging a stage , Fairfax, Va., a son, ’01 Amy Byrne Lipscomb Manquin, Va., 5/10/11. 10/25/10. 4/2/10. ’51 Carl F. Krippendorf, and ’02 Jonathan D. ’44 Clarence R. Lockridge, ’49 Thelmus G. Plummer weaponry business, Rogue Steel, Lipscomb, Temple, Texas, a Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C., Roanoke, Va., 6/2/11. ’56 Claude B. Nolen Jr., ’97 Paul B. Yaffe, Acworth, ’07 Christine Bychowski Hampton, Va., 5/17/11. now considered to be one of the daughter, 1/28/11. Laffoon and ’08 Daniel R. 6/17/11. Rocky Mount, Va., 5/14/11. Ga., a daughter, 7/7/10. ’51 Basil Manly III, Mont- Laffoon, Roanoke, Va., a son, ’44 Elmer C. Westerman best in the industry. ’01 Benjamin A. Marshall, ’49 Nick Prillaman Jr., Mar- gomery, Ala., 5/5/11. ’56 Reed J. Pierson Jr., ’98 Kai Chung, Reston, Va., 3/5/11. Jr., Fincastle, Va., 4/14/11. Ashburn, Va., a daughter, tinsville, Va., 4/30/11. York, Pa., 1/17/11. Massey makes about 20 a daughter, 7/10/11. 12/10/10. ’51 Harold B. Phillips, ’45 Randolph P. Cocke Jr., to 30 weapons per week and ’49 Lillian Thompson Raleigh, N.C., 1/13/11. ’57 James R. Moore ’98 Eric M. Fidler and ’98 , Roa- ’01 Paula David Monte, Deaths Newark, Del., 1/22/11. Samuelson usually has a backlog of two to Jayda B. Freibert, Rich- , Schenectady, noke, Va., 6/22/11. New Milford, Conn., a son, N.Y., 1/16/11. ’51 O. Wade Yates Jr., Sum- mond, Va., a son, 4/11/11. ’45 Posie L. Collins Jr., three months. Like a black- 1/12/11. ’33 John W. Scholl, San merville, S.C., 4/29/11. ’57 Thomas B. Simmons, Diego, Calif., 12/31/10. Bassett, Va., 6/16/11. ’49 Curtis H. Shelton, Staunton, Va., 1/30/11. ’98 Christopher S. Law- ’01 Heidi Ryan Patton and ’52 C. Field Baskerville Jr. smith, Massey crafts all of his Knoxville, Tenn., 4/20/11. , rence and ’98 Heather ’01 Michael F. Patton, ’34 William E. Eubank Jr. ’45 F. Allen Gill , , Columbia, McKenney, Va., 1/19/11. ’57 Joe A. Zimmerman, weapons by hand with the ex- Gentry Lawrence, Vinton, Chester Springs, Pa., a son, Shreveport, La., 9/3/10. S.C., 6/3/11. ’49 E.D. Vassallo, San Juan, Lakeway, Texas, 1/23/11. Va., a son, 6/10/11. 5/20/11. ’52 William P. Burke ception of some blades, which Puerto Rico, 5/19/11. , ’38 John R. Vorwerck, Cock- ’45 Charles A. Harrison, Hopewell, Va., 5/10/11. ’98 Michelle Carter ’01 Samantha Woods eysville, Md., 1/18/11. ’58 Carl S. Anderson he purchases from commercial Scaman, Springfield, Va., a Gastonia, N.C., 1/31/11. ’50 Stanley C. Baker, Falls Jr., Virginia Beach, Va., Parks, Arlington, Va., a son, ’52 William J. Dickerson, manufacturers. Rogue Steel, in 9/17/10. daughter, 2/16/11. ’39 Leon D. Johnson III, Church, Va., 1/27/11. 7/23/10. ’45 G.W. Lundy, McKees- Palmyra, Pa., 4/30/11. Richmond, Va., 1/30/11. Brookfield, Ill., offers mainly ’99 Karen Hines Beyer ’02 Jessica Bush Mont- port, Pa., 1/3/11. ’50 Harold D. Caldwell, ’58 Gordon C. Presley, , ’52 William L. Faison, Eden gomery and ’03 Brian C. ’39 Francis A. Meyerhoef- Richmond, Va., 1/29/11. Centennial, Colo., 2/11/11. European-style weapons, but Atlanta, Ga., a daughter, Prairie, Minn., 12/15/10. 1/22/11. Montgomery, Princeton, fer, Mount Crawford, Va., ’45 George E. Wiley, Pa- Massey plans to expand into N.J., a son, 3/25/11. ducah, Ky., 4/19/11. ’50 H. Harold Dorton Sr., ’58 George C. Stohlman, 12/31/10. ’52 Robert C. Gallagher, ’99 Andrew D. Cather, Eastern-style as well. Salisbury, N.C., 4/20/11. Sarasota, Fla., 6/6/11. Tampa, Fla., 4/23/11. Ashburn, Va., a son, ’02 Brian E. Stuver and ’39 James C. Rees, Hen- ’45 Hal G. Worley, Winston- ’03 Kerry A. Lugar, Rich- 1/10/11. rico, Va., 4/26/11. Salem, N.C., 4/4/11. ’50 Oren E. Hopkins Jr., ’59 W. Robert Gaines Eleven years since start- mond, Va., a son, 1/13/11. ’52 Carl R. Morris, Glouces- , Neil Massey ’88, at left Easton, Md., 5/8/11. Rapid City, S.D., 5/2/11. ing his business, Massey has ’99 Nathalie Neaves Croft ’40 Joseph H. Moore, Sun ter, Va., 1/17/11. ’03 Monica Tiburzi Fulker- ’46 S.H. Bibee, Lynchburg, ’01 Lawrence M. City West, Ariz., 5/6/11. established a strong reputation in the theatre community. Cara Rawlings, and son, Charlotte, N.C., a son, Va., 5/22/11. ’50 William D. Knox, Palos ’52 Lawrence P. Murray ’59 H. Neal Garrett Jr., Croft Jr., Richmond, Va., a Verdes Peninsula, Calif., Hampton, Va., 10/20/10. 9/9/10. ’41 Lewis R. Arrington Jr., Hendersonville, Tenn., an assistant professor of movement and acting at Virginia Tech, considers daughter, 2/17/11. , ’46 Robert P. Dickin- 3/29/11. Clemson, S.C., 4/5/11. 4/14/11. ’03 Jonathan R. Mollerup son, Christiansburg, Va., ’59 Ralph P. Hines, Rice, Massey one of the best stage-weaponry makers in the world. ’99 Scott A. Postle, Kern- ’03 Lauren Cloyed ’50 Norris F. Lee, Birming- and ’41 Mastin F. Osborne, 3/27/11. ’52 Richard W. Stevens, Va., 4/27/11. ersville, N.C., a daughter, Mollerup, Springfield, Va., a ham, Mich., 9/3/10. Said Michael Hill-Kirkland, professor of theatre at Regent University 4/23/11. Galax, Va., 9/14/10. Williamsburg, Va., 2/7/11. son, 2/9/11. ’46 G. Robert Grubb, Pur- ’59 Carvel W. Johnson Jr., and one of Rogue Steel’s clients, “Neil has struck an impressive balance ’41 Robert S. Radspinner cellville, Va., 10/10/10. ’50 Charles F. Oliver Jr., ’53 Northrop J. Butler Ruffin, N.C., 6/2/11. ’00 David B. Carter and ’03 Lindsey Love H. , , Blacksburg, Va., 1/28/11. Pensacola, Fla., 6/6/11. Richmond, Va., 1/26/11. between sturdy utilitarianism and a stage-worthy, aesthetically pleasing ’00 Andrea Guerra Carter, Radack and ’05 Kevin P. ’60 Massie W. Blankinship North Liberty, Ind., a daugh- Radack ’46 Norman B. Hodges Jr., look—and at an economical price.” Massey’s clients are primarily schools and , Charlotte, N.C., a ’41 James W. Thweatt ’50 Herman H. Scott, Deca- Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y., 3/29/11. ter, 4/4/11. daughter, 6/21/11. , Chesapeake, Va., 2/3/11. ’53 Ralph L. Graham, Los Richmond, Va., 4/16/11. tur, Ga., 4/22/11. Angeles, Calif., 5/26/11. universities with a stage combat aspect to their program, but individual the- ’60 Marvin E. White Jr., ’00 Justin A. Chiarodo, ’04 Christopher Eicholtz, ’46 Robert B. Ratliff, Nar- ’41 Andrew W. Todd, Cha- ’50 Robert C. Steele Jr., Enola, Pa., 1/19/11. aters and actors also turn to Rogue Steel. Massey’s weapons have even been Arlington, Va., a son, Ashburn, Va., a daughter, rows, Va., 3/9/11. ’53 George W. Jones, Rich- tham, Va., 1/19/11. 4/26/11. 2/12/11. Worcester, Mass., 4/16/11. mond, Va., 7/3/10. used by actor John Malkovich. ’46 A. Charles Seufer ’61 L. Dean Blake II, Frank- ’42 Barbara Bradford Hall , ’00 David M. DeCerbo ’04 Erin Brush Forys and , ’50 Carl A. Watkins Jr., ’53 Richard N. Pearman, St. fort, Ky., 6/5/11. In addition to running a business, Massey teaches stage combat and Norfolk, Va., 12/23/10. Royersford, Pa., 5/20/11. and ’01 Joanne Schissler ’06 Brent M. Forys, Toano, Elyria, Ohio, 5/7/11. Augustine, Fla., 11/11/10. ’61 Robert C. Garrett, fight choreography at Roosevelt University. He is a certified teacher with the DeCerbo, Fairfax, Va., a Va., a daughter, 6/13/11. ’47 H. Howard Surface Jr., ’42 Ralph V. Lawrence, ’50 Archer E. Wright, Rich- ’53 Jeffrey R. Stewart Jr. Danville, Va., 6/12/11. son, 3/25/11. Bowling Green, Ky., 6/1/11. , Society of American Fight Directors, which he said helps him craft better ’04 Brian Miletich and ’04 Green Valley, Ariz., 2/11/11. mond, Va., 6/13/11. Blacksburg, Va., 6/10/11. Melissa Carroll Miletich, ’62 James R. Brabrand, swords. “I am one of the few swordmakers out there that actually uses them ’00 Tamara Hayes ’42 Charles C. Smith Jr., ’47 William P. Terry Jr., Dupont, Wash., a daughter, ’51 George L. Baker Jr., ’54 Delmar L. Craft, Spring- West Point, Va., 4/17/11. Donohue and ’01 Brian R. Gloucester, Va., 1/22/11. Henrico, Va., 6/6/11. and teaches [people] how to use them on a regular basis,” said Massey. Donohue, Oak Hill, Va., a 4/30/10. Berryville, Va.,1/28/11. field, Va., 4/21/11. ’62 John E. Clayton, Rich- Massey first came to Virginia Tech with aspirations to become a me- son, 2/25/11. ’43 Frances Smith Crad- ’47 Morton L. Wallerstein ’04 Lindsay Potts Reames, ’51 John A. Boole, States- ’54 Harry Levy Jr., Rich- mond, Va., 3/24/11. dock, Indianapolis, Ind., chanical engineer. However, theatre quickly moved from a hobby to a passion. ’00 Matthew D. Lacy Amelia Court House, Va., a Jr., Elkins Park, Pa., 5/1/11. boro, Ga., 4/2/11. mond, Va., 1/20/11. son, 3/15/11. 4/23/11. and ’03 Sally Miles Lacy, ’62 William H. Fanning Jr., “The more I learned about it, the more I realized it was a viable career choice, ’48 John A. Baum, Virginia Plainview, Va., a daughter, ’43 C.T. Graves, Baltimore, ’51 Alvin R. Denton, Bristol, ’54 Kenneth W. Wilkinson, Roanoke, Va., 2/3/11. ’04 Ashleigh Gardner Beach, Va., 12/7/10. so I made the switch,” said Massey. “Being at Virginia Tech—learning about 6/4/11. Volker and ’04 Daniel P. Md., 4/10/11. Va., 4/24/11. Greensboro, N.C., 5/17/11. Volker ’62 Cecile A. Sutphin, Daw- , Kennesaw, Ga., a ’48 Edward T. Brown, Rich- theatre and making connections—really laid out my career path.” ’00 Jennifer Bridges son, 4/26/11. ’43 Robert N. Jeffries, Chat- ’51 John F. Downie, Roa- ’55 Gene W. Barrett, sonville, Ga., 3/6/11. Middleton and ’00 Russell tanooga, Tenn., 1/26/11. mond, Va., 1/26/11. noke, Va., 5/10/11. Manassas, Va., 4/11/10. K. Middleton, Glen Allen, ’04 Sarah Stec Williams, ’63 Charles B. Dushane Olivia Kasik, a senior majoring in professional writing and psychology with Va., a daughter, 12/15/08 Charleston, S.C., a daughter, ’43 Henry S. Pittard, Alta- ’48 Andrew M. Dreelin III, ’51 Estes B. Gibson, Mar- ’55 Kenneth R. Boerner, III, Lee’s Summit, Mo., (adopted 9/20/10). 4/18/11. vista, Va., 6/12/11. Midlothian, Va., 1/23/11. tinsville, Va., 4/14/11. Midlothian, Va., 5/27/11. 1/20/11. a minor in philosophy, is an intern with Virginia Tech Magazine.

62 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 63 Class Notes Class Notes

Hokie brings blogging, Twitter to government IT ’63 W. Thomas Quigley, ’69 James R. Stewart, Sylvania, Ohio, 4/9/11. Bradford, Pa., 1/21/11.

As the federal government faces budget squeezes that will require ’63 Robert E. Shively, ’70 Carol A. Amato, Rich- more to be done with less, Mary (Burr) Davie’s (business finance, Troutville, Va., 4/6/11. mond, Va., 6/1/11. business management ’88) 22 years with the General Services Admin- ’64 J.T. Judkins Jr., Suffolk, ’70 Belle D. English, Bed- istration (GSA) give her a unique Va., 5/23/11. ford, Va., 1/26/11. perspective on upcoming chal- ’64 Harold E. Little, Fin- ’70 Richard H. Moore, lenges and opportunities. castle, Va., 6/21/11. Arlington, Va., 1/6/11. Which is a large part of the ’64 Richard H. Seume Jr., ’71 Charles W. Click, Mon- reason—when combined with Houston, Texas, 2/5/11. rovia, Md., 9/26/10. ’77 Laurale T. Collins, ’87 John T. Harrington, Tech Board of Visitors, died Hokies are “IT”! her gregariousness and pioneering Martinsville, Va., 4/26/11. Mora, N.M., 6/6/11. June 13 at age 90. Dekker ’64 Richard L. Wyant, Wilm- ’71 Joseph L. Cochran, was a longtime member In September, a website dedicated to informa- expertise in using social media to Dublin, Va., 12/18/10. ’78 John L. Moore, ’87 Thane S. Koontz ington, Del., 2/10/11. , Frank- of the Pamplin Advisory tion technology (IT) in government noted that make federal procurement more ef- Staunton, Va., 4/24/10. lin, Va., 4/14/11. Council and a recipient ’71 John W. Matthews, ’65 Gary N. Colehamer, of the Pamplin College of Virginia Tech has a knack for exporting IT lead- ficient—that Davie is now assistant Westminster, Md., 6/7/11. Virginia Beach, Va., 5/3/11. ’78 David C. Trumble, ’88 Anthony J. Lopacinski, Business Distinguished commissioner for the GSA’s Office Crofton, Md., 5/10/11. Nolensville, Tenn., 6/15/11. ers. The FedScoop website featured the 11 Hok- ’71 C. Douglas Weeks, Alumnus Award in 1990. ’65 Willard T. Fields, Roa- He also was the class ring ies listed below. If you know of other Hokies in of Integrated Technology Services Roanoke, Va., 1/31/10. ’79 Robert K. Drum, Floris- noke, Va., 5/17/11. ’88 Guillermo A. Monkman, collection namesake for (ITS), making her responsible for sant, Colo., 9/30/10. homeland security, let us know at [email protected]. Las Vegas, Nev., 8/7/10. the Class of 1998. In 1999, ’66 George R. Buchanan ’72 Thomas G. Daley, Law- the largest fee-for-service IT pro- , Dekker was awarded the • Letitia Long (electrical engineering ’82), direc- renceville, Ga., 1/3/11. ’79 Robert E. Fulton, ’88 William M. Perdue Jr. Lebanon, Tenn., 5/29/11. , William Henry Ruffner tor, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency curement and services operation in Jonesborough, Tenn., Baltimore, Md., 4/26/11. ’72 Robert J. Miller Jr., Medal, the university’s ’66 Richard F. Hamilton, 4/27/11. • Paige Atkins (electrical engineering ’84), direc- the U.S. government. She was also highest honor for dedicated Evergreen, Va., 8/28/10. Lynchburg, Va., 3/23/11. ’89 Charles E. Carter Jr., and distinguished service. tor for strategic planning and information at the recently named president of the ’79 Bruce F. Jamerson, Wilmington, Del., 9/18/10. Mary Davie ’88 American Council of Technology, a ’66 Donald Y. Kelsey Jr., ’72 Eric G. Obye, Danville, Midlothian, Va., 4/24/11. He was a senior benefactor Defense Information Systems Agency Va., 4/25/11. of the Ut Prosim Society, nonprofit, public-private partnership dedicated to improving government Blacksburg, Va., 6/6/11. ’90 Kevin D. Parker, Jasper, • Kevin Meiners (electrical engineering ’84), ’80 Sheryl Kidd Mamokos, Ga., 11/23/10. a member of the Legacy ’72 John R. Palffy, Strongs- through information technology. ’66 Donald P. Pavell, Rich- Toano, Va., 12/31/10. Society, and a former board acting deputy undersecretary of defense for ville, Ohio, 4/11/11. member of the William Her ITS office provides access to companies that offer IT and tele- mond, Va., 6/4/11. ’91 Verna S. Gifford, portfolio, programs, and resources ’80 Ralph K. Pickard, Preston Society. ’72 Roger C. Riner, Lynch- Schertz, Texas, 4/5/11. communications products, services, and solutions to government entities. ’66 James L. Turner, Mar- Moravian Falls, N.C., • Kenneth Myers (liberal arts and sciences ’92), burg, Va., 5/18/11. While at Virginia Tech, tinsville, Va., 6/9/11. 5/11/11. ’92 Kathleen Robinson “By using our contracts and programs, other government entities can not Dekker served in the Corps director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency Barker, Galax, Va., 4/9/11. ’72 Philip D. Ruths, Arling- ’80 Bernard L. Price II of Cadets from September only save time and money by not having to create new contracts, but they ’67 Robert J. Cross, Wood- , • Lynn Schnurr (health and physical education ton, Va., 4/11/11. 1940 until March 1943. He bridge, Va., 5/3/11. Roanoke, Va., 12/21/10. ’92 Karl A. Zulinski, Wilm- also have access to technical and acquisition experts,” Davie said. was elected president of the ’75), Army intelligence chief information ington, Del., 5/13/11. ’73 Robin D. Kinser, Ches- ’81 Amy E. Thompson, Two years ago, Davie joined others from the public and private sec- ’67 Bruce R. Glenn, Mor- Class of 1944 for each of officer for the deputy chief of staff and direc- terfield, Va., 4/27/11. Charlotte, N.C., 5/25/11. tors—including fellow Hokies Tom Suder (business management ’91) ganton, N.C., 3/30/11. ’93 Andrew S. Holmes, three years and was elected president of the Corps of tor of the Intelligence Community Informa- and Tim Harvey (communication ’92)—in forming the Better Buy Proj- ’73 Cheryl Teague Smith, ’82 Christopher A. Alexandria, Va., 1/18/11. ’67 C.S. Menon, Frnakulam, Cadets in January 1943. He tion Management Directorate Hendersonville, N.C., Bucher, Leesburg, Va., ect to increase openness and reduce costs to the government and private India, 3/28/11. ’94 Freddie W. Brown also served as vice presi- 11/15/10. 9/4/10. , • Dennis Clem (computer science ’73), chief sector. As a result, Davie has helped lead her department into the world Doswell, Va., 4/4/11. dent of the German Club ’67 David T. Schwartz (1942-43) and president in information officer, Office of the Secretary of , ’73 Kenneth M. Swisher, ’82 Chris Epley, York, Pa., of Twitter, blogs, and wikis. ’95 Carolyn I. Roberts 1946 and 1947. Marion, Va., 4/26/11. Chesapeake, Va., 6/17/11. 5/12/11. , Defense, Department of Defense “I’m open and outgoing, and I saw this as an incredibly effective and Wytheville, Va., 6/3/11. ’67 Philip E. Shelley • Ellen Embrey (psychology ’76), formerly potent way to be able to communicate broadly,” said Davie, who praises , Las ’75 Wade E. Clement, ’83 James K. O’Toole, Ma- Vegas, Nev., 4/11/11. Portsmouth, Va., 5/23/11. catawa, Mich., 12/19/09. ’97 Robert C. Ward, Faculty Obit assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, Tech for the quality and variety of educational programs, student life, Charleston, S.C., 2/3/11. now a counselor at The Cohen Group and the diversity of students. ’68 Ernest M. Monroe II, ’75 George L. East, Virginia ’84 Mark J. Allen, Edward McPherson, learn- O’Fallon, Ill., 1/12/11. Beach, Va., 5/11/11. Maryville, Ill., 6/17/11. ’98 Le D. Hoang, Alexandria, ing technologies support • Bob Flores (statistics ’75, M.S. ’77), formerly “Every time I meet someone and we discover we’re both Hokies, Va., 4/13/11. specialist, died July 4. Born ’68 Ronald H. Parks chief technology officer at the Central Intelli- there’s an instant connection and bond,” Davie said. “I’ve found this to be , Inde- ’75 Cathryn Crow Gilmore, ’85 Don E. Cash Jr., Win- in Mississippi and raised pendence, Mo., 5/7/11. ’00 Jason M. Maimone, gence Agency, now founder, president, and more true in the business world.” Tucson, Ariz., 6/16/11. chester, Va., 5/1/11. on Chicago’s Westside, Peabody, Mass., 12/27/10. McPherson was the first in ’68 Thomas B. Vigour, ’75 Robert G. Kozan CEO of Applicology , Oak- ’85 Robert L. Johnston, his family to attend college Winona, Miss., 6/11/11. ’01 Michael E. Malsbury, • Alan Wade (electrical engineering ’73), chief ton, Va., 3/8/11. Augusta, Ga., 5/26/11. after graduating from Phil- Ringoes, N.J., 4/22/11. lips Academy in Andover, information officer, Central Intelligence Agency ’69 B.H. Bingham, Nampa, ’75 Robert H. Stewart, San ’85 Allen D. Martin, North- Mass. He then went on Ind., 12/19/10. Francisco, Calif., 9/21/10. ridge, Calif., 5/27/11. ’08 Suneel K. Sarma, Salt • Gary Winkler (electrical engineering ’83), Hokie Business to graduate from the Uni- Lake City, Utah, 5/9/11. formerly Army program executive for enterprise ’69 John W. Bryant III, ’76 Peter L. Howes, Virginia ’85 Robert A. Taylor Jr., versity of Pennsylvania in Richmond, Va., 5/18/11. Beach, Va., 12/4/10. Blacksburg, Va., 6/3/11. ’09 John T. Potter, Virginia 1976. After pursuing a ca- information systems, now CEO at Cyber Solu- SHOWCASE reer in finance and banking Beach, Va., 6/22/11. tions and Systems ’69 T.F. English Jr., Rich- ’76 Stephen W. Liskey, ’86 Paul S. Plott Jr., Mar- at Swiss Bank in New York Advertise your business in Class Notes! Contact mond, Va., 6/2/11. Landisville, Pa., 6/11/11. tinsburg, W.Va., 4/4/11. City, he moved his family • Tim Beres (history ’91), formerly director us at [email protected] for to Roanoke to pursue his of preparedness programs at the Department of ’69 Robert G. Hutter, Wells- ’76 James D. Norman Jr., ’86 Raymond R. Van Lien- Alumni Obit passions for youth, technol- rates and more information. ville, N.Y., 2/5/11. Richmond, Va., 4/15/11. den, Clifton, Va., 5/4/11. ogy, and education, and Homeland Security, now vice president of Henry Dekker (accounting had been a member of the CNA, a not-for-profit research and analysis ’69 Samuel B. Koon, Rich- ’76 Bernard S. Wisthoff, ’87 Elizabeth A. Audet, ’47), of Blacksburg, Va., Virginia Tech community Restricted to alumni-owned businesses. mond, Va., 12/9/10. Orlando, Fla., 1/5/11. McLean, Va., 6/8/11. former rector of the Virginia over the past decade. organization

64 www.vtmagazine.vt.edu Virginia Tech Magazine | Fall 2011 65 impac .

Advancing economic strength and quality of life in the commonwealth is integral to Virginia Tech’s mission. That’s why we’re partnering with General Motors and the Virginia Tobacco Commission to create the National Tire Research Center in Halifax County. Serving automotive companies, government agencies, and military entities, the center will help enhance consumer safety, reduce fuel consumption, and accelerate the development of green tire technology while infusing $150 million into the area’s economy over the next decade. What’s more, it will create nearly 200 new jobs, attract businesses to the area, and transform Southside into an automotive research and technology leader. We’re proud to be involved in this initiative and help improve the wellbeing of people in Virginia and nationwide. To learn more, visit www.vt.edu/impact.