TODAY’S EDITION See page 3 for personnel SPECTRUM information. VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY VOLUME 21 NUMBER 26 THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1999 Founders Day celebrates accomplishments of university community By David Nutter Excellence Award: Jon C. Cawley, Department S. Dru Forrester, Department of Small Animal Extension: Gary P. Dingus, Dickenson Virginia Tech celebrates the of Biology; Graduate Student Service Award: Clinical Services; E. Scott Geller, Department County Extension Office; Robert Ray accomplishments of its faculty and staff Travis O. Brenden, Department of Fisheries of Psychology; David W. Smith, Department Meadows, Extension Specialist, 4-H; members and students at Founders Day, and Wildlife Sciences; XCaliber Awards: of Forestry; Sporn Award for Teaching Alumni Distinguished Service Awards: Friday, April 9. The annual convocation in individual faculty member: N. Dwight Barnette, Introductory Subjects: Charles E. Frazier, Mary Virginia Jones; Samuel Lewis honor of scholarship and service will begin Department of Computer Science; team of faculty Department of Wood Science and Forest Lionberger Jr.; Ruffner Medal: Henry J. at 3:15 p.m. in Burruss auditorium. and staff members: Stewart A. Hill, Stephen E. Products; Sporn Award for Teaching Dekker. President Paul Torgersen will give the Scheckler, C. David Taylor, Department of Engineering Subjects: T. Roger Chang, Man of the Year: Edward J. Maggio, keynote address at the celebration. Henry Biology; team of faculty and staff members— Department of Engineering Science and College of Arts and Sciences; Woman of Dekker, former rector of the Board of Math Emporium: Robert Olin, Christopher A. Mechanics. the Year: Susan P. Grubbs, College of Visitors, will receive the university’s highest Beattie, Monte B. Boisen, Terri A. Bourdon, President’s Award for Excellence: Peggy Arts and Sciences. award, the William H. Ruffner Medal. Kenneth B. Hannsgen, Charles B. Hodges, P. Arnold, Department of Biochemistry; John Outstanding Students: Jodie E. Dekker has been instrumental in efforts to Gail M. Hunger, Abigail W. Kohler, C. Chandler, Department of Food Science and Johnson, College of Agriculture and Life revitalize the Corps of Cadets. Gwendolyn M. Lloyd, Margaret P. McQuain, Technology; Stephen W. Hiner, Department Sciences; Eric Delss, College of The XCaliber Award is being Linda E. Powers, Robert C. Rogers, John F. of Entomology; Diane F. Patty, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies; Stacey recognized during Founders Day this year. Rossi, Linda H. Scruggs, Bonnie B. Shealor, Chemical Engineering; Linda G. Smith, Col- Smith, College of Arts and Sciences; Established last year by Provost Peggy Deborah B. Smith, Michael Williams, lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Melissa L. Novosel, Pamplin College of Meszaros and the Center for Innovation and Department of Mathematics; Alumni Teaching Alumni Award for Excellence in Business; Elise Caruso, College of Learning, the XCaliber Award is designed Excellence Awards: Bonnie J. Smith, International Programs: John A. Ballweg, Engineering; Elvira Muniz, College of to honor faculty and staff members who are Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Sociology; Alumni Award for Forestry and Wildlife Resources; Christine using innovative approaches to teaching Pathobiology; J. Reese Voshell Jr., Department Excellence in Research: Richard A. Winett, Grecus, College of Human Resources and using technology. of Entomology; Alumni Excellence in Academic Department of Psychology; Neal Castagnoli Education; John F. Guest, Virginia- The 1999 Founders Day Award Advising: David J. Parrish, Department of Crop Jr., Department of Chemistry. Maryland Regional College of Veterinary winners are: Graduate Teaching Assistant and Soil Environmental Sciences; Wine Awards: Alumni Award for Excellence in Medicine. Schmidt named Commencement speaker Enrollment reaches By David Nutter new tool.” Eric Schmidt, the chairman of the board At Novell, Schmidt is actively involved in record levels and chief executive officer of network all significant operating and strategic decisions computing giant Novell Inc., will be Virginia for the company and plays a central role in the at VTNVC Tech’s Commencement speaker during technical development of the company. By Carolyn Fray ceremonies in Lane Stadium on Saturday, Novell, which reported revenue of $1.084 Graduate enrollments at the Virginia May 15, beginning at 9 a.m. billion in 1998, is a fast-emerging leader in Tech Northern Virginia Center (NVC) in “Because of Virginia Tech’s nationally network services and Internet/Intranet software Falls Church reached record level this spring recognized leadership in information solutions. With its corporate headquarters based with 2,409 registrations. technology and our leadership in developing in Provo, Utah, Novell products enable At the center, Virginia Tech offers 36 the architecture of the next generation Internet, customers to securely integrate the global graduate degree programs, primarily for I felt that Dr. Schmidt will would be an Internet with their private business networks. working professionals, as well as short outstanding choice to speak to our graduating These “intelligent networks” recognize every courses and seminars sponsored by the class,” said President Paul Torgersen. “The user, provide secure access to every network Division of Continuing Education. The students time here in Blacksburg has been resource, and support every critical computing greatest growth was achieved by the computer defined by the Internet; I think it is appropriate task. science program, which expanded by 116 for them to hear from someone who helping Schmidt has many ties to Virginia Tech. percent spring to spring. For the same period, college shape the future direction of this wonderful (See SCHMIDT on 7) SCHMIDT registrations advanced 63.9 percent in Arts and Sciences, 23.8 percent in Human Resources and Education, and 8 percent in Stokes selected men’s basketball head coach Business. Overall, the center’s enrollment Ricky Stokes, who spent last season as Tournament teams at the University of Virginia, the first time in school history. Stokes also grew 19 percent spring to spring. the associate head coach at the University of where he played from 1980-84. signed three of the top 10 players in the state of In response to the growth, Virginia Tech Texas, has been named head coach of the The 36-year-old Stokes has been an Texas during the fall signing period. has rented and remodeled two 1,500-square- Virginia Tech men’s basketball program, assistant coach at Bowling Green, Wake Forest “Our entire staff is excited for Ricky foot classrooms at an office building located according to Director of Athletics Jim and Virginia. Stokes,” Barnes said. “We are going to miss at 7115 Leesburg Pike, a five-minute walk Weaver. “I am very ecstatic about being named him, both on a personal and professional level. from the center. “Our enrollment gains can “I am delighted that Ricky Stokes has head coach at Virginia Tech,” Stokes said. There is no one more deserving or more ready be attributed to the university’s expanding accepted our offer to be the head coach at “Virginia Tech is a great academic and athletic for the challenge of being a Division I head partnership with the region’s technology Virginia Tech,” Weaver said. “He is an institution. I am looking forward to the challenge, coach than Coach Stokes. Having spoken with community as well as the center’s increasing outstanding individual who has achieved and I’m ready to take the Virginia Tech men’s him before he left for the interview, I know how local and international visibility,” said Judy the highest level, both as a player and as a basketball program to new heights.” excited he was about Virginia Tech and the C. Pearson, director of the Virginia Tech coach. He will be an excellent leader for our Stokes joined Rick Barnes’ staff at Clemson tradition of its basketball program. There is no Northern Virginia Center. program.” two weeks before Barnes accepted the head doubt in my mind that he is a perfect fit for the “The Graduate Program in Information Stokes, a native of Richmond, has been coaching job at the University of Texas last job.” Technology is excellent example of how we involved in eight NCAA Tournaments (once year. This past season, he helped guide the During the past 11 seasons as a coach, can work with the region’s business reaching the final eight and twice the final Longhorns to a 19-13 overall record and NCAA Stokes has recruited and/or coached such talent community to identify an educational need 16) in his 11 seasons as a full-time assistant first-round appearance. Texas went 13-3 in the as 1997 college player of the year and number- and quickly formulate a high-quality program coach. He also was a part of four NCAA Big 12 Conference, winning the league title for (See STOKES on 7) (See ENROLLMENT on 8) 2 SPECTRUM THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1999 NEWSMAKERS Virginia Tech faculty and staff members and students Access (January 27): The cover story was about Virginia Tech spectrum technology known as LMDS (local multipoint are often the subject of significant national and state-wide and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications Scien- distribution service) to area residential users in May. Morgan, news coverage. To better inform the university community tists’ research to evaluate usefulness of virtual-reality (CAVE) who directs the Space and Wireless Business Center, says the about