142ND YEAR OF THE UNIVERSITY DECEMBER 20 FALL 2013 VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT BOARD OF VISITORS Mr. Michael Quillen, Rector Mr. John C. Lee, IV Dr. Joseph S. Merola, Faculty Representative Mr. James L. Chapman, IV Ms. Suzanne S. Obenshain Ms. Sue A. Teel, Staff Representative Nancy V. Dye, M.D. Ms. Deborah Petrine Mr. Nick Warrington, Graduate Student Representative Mr. William D. Fairchild, III Mr. John G. Rocovich, Jr. Ms. Erica A. Wood, Undergraduate Student Representative Mr. Cordel L. Faulk J. Thomas Ryan, M.D. Mr. B. K. Fulton Mr. Steve Sturgis Mr. William B. Holtzman Mr. Dennis H. Treacy UNIVERSITY DIGNITARIES AND INVITED SPEAKERS Charles W. Steger, President, Virginia Tech Paul M. Winistorfer, Dean, College of Natural Resources and Environment Kirk H. Schulz, President, Kansas State University, Virginia Tech Lay Nam Chang, Dean, College of Science Classes of 1986 and 1991, Keynote Speaker, Graduate School Cyril R. Clarke, Dean, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Commencement Medicine Noel Schulz, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs J. Thomas Brown, Jr., Dean of Students and Paslay Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tyler O. Walters, Dean of University Libraries Kansas State University, Virginia Tech Classes of 1988 and 1990, Rosemary Blieszner, Associate Dean of the Graduate School Keynote Speaker, Graduate School Commencement Janet W. Rankin, Associate Dean of the Graduate School Gerhardt G. Schurig, Dean Emeritus, Virginia-Maryland Regional Kenneth H. Wong, Associate Dean of the Graduate School in the National College of Veterinary Medicine, Keynote Speaker, University Capital Region and Director of the Northern Virginia Center Commencement Sarah M. Karpanty, Graduate Program Coordinator and Assistant Interim Matthew W. Winston, President of the Alumni Association Board of Department Head, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Commencement Directors, Class of 1990, Greetings from the Alumni Association, Marshal, University and Graduate School Commencements University Commencement Joseph S. Merola, Professor, Chemistry Department, Reader of Names Mark G. McNamee, Senior Vice President and Provost and Message from the Faculty, Graduate School Commencement Sherwood G. Wilson, Vice President for Administration Jay M. Tucker, President, Class of 2014, Remarks by the Class President, Thomas C. Tillar, Jr., Vice President for Alumni Relations University Commencement Elizabeth A. Flanagan, Vice President for Development and University Lindsay M. Keys, Secretary, Class of 2014, Opening Reflections, University Relations Commencement William T. Lewis, Sr., Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Jason A. Berube, Vice President, Class of 2014, Closing Reflections, M. Dwight Shelton, Jr., Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial University Commencement Officer Christopher L. Poirel, doctoral candidate, Computer Science & Application, Scott F. Midkiff, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Graduate Student Speaker Information Officer Shaimaa Abdallah M. Abdallah, doctoral student, Electrical Engineering, James R. Bohland, Interim Vice President, National Capital Region President, Graduate Student Assembly Guru Ghosh, Vice President for Outreach and International Affairs Jordan A. Booker, doctoral student, Psychology, Chief Justice, Graduate Robert W. Walters, Vice President for Research Honor System Patricia Ann Perillo, Vice President for Student Affairs Raul Oscar Saucedo Alderete, doctoral candidate, Food Science and Karen P. DePauw, Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education Technology, Graduate Student Marshal, Graduate School Alan L. Grant, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Commencement A. Jack Davis, Dean, College of Architecture and Urban Studies Nora C. Cotter, Vocalist, University and Graduate Commencements Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean, Pamplin College of Business Jay Crone, Head, Department of Music, Coordinator, Virginia Tech Brass Richard C. Benson, Dean, College of Engineering Ensemble Sue Ott Rowlands, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Wallace E. Easter, II, Associate Professor of Music, Conductor, Virginia Tech Brass Ensemble 2013 - 2014 COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE Daniel B. Taylor, Chairman; Sarah M. Karpanty, Commencement Marshal; Jacqueline L. Nottingham, Director of Processions; Diane L. Zahm, Director of Ushers; Janice E. Austin, Candice E. Clemenz, Anthony T. Cobb, Rebecca A. Funk, William R. Green, Lawrence G. Hincker, Jason A. Holliday, Lance L. Jones, Tamara W. Knott, Joseph S. Merola, Joseph D. Millett, Kim T. O’Rourke, Jean-Luc Pierre Ford, Durelle T. Scott, IV, Jay M. Tucker, Anthony S. Watson, R. Eric Wininger SPECIAL RESOURCE PERSONS Catherine Chambers, Director of Printing and Mail Services Michael J. Mulhare, Director, Emergency Management Susan P. Angle, Director, Services for Students with Disabilities Margie B. Murray, Special Events Coordinator, Office of the Janice E. Austin, Director of Graduate Admissions & Academic President Progress, Graduate School April B. Myers, Projects Assistant, Office of the President Clyde Y. Cridlin, Jr., Assistant Registrar, Office of the University Mark A. Owczarski, Assistant Vice President for News and Registrar Information, Vincent M. Houston, Captain, Virginia Tech Police Department University Relations Richard K. McCoy, Director of Parking and Transportation, Parking Curtis R. Cox, Office Services Specialist, Office of the University Services Registrar Laura J. Wedin, Director of Alumni/Student Programs, Alumni Association 2 THE ACADEMIC THEPROCESSION ACADEMIC The following information, digested from “An Academic Costume Code PROCESSIONand Ceremony Guide” prepared by the Ameri- can Council on Education, may prove helpful in identifying the costumesThe following you information,will see in the digested Commencement from “An Academic Procession. Costume Code and Ceremony Guide” prepared by the American Council on Education,When American may prove colleges helpful andin identifying universities the desired costumes to adoptyou will somesee in suitable the Commencement system of academic Procession. apparel many years ago, a conference held at Columbia University in 1895, made up of representativesWhen American from colleges various and institutions, universities drew desired up a “By-Lawto adopt some suitable system of academic apparel many years ago, a Regulation, or Statute” for the establishment of a suitable code conference held at Columbia University in 1895, made up of of academic dress for colleges and universities in the United representatives from various institutions, drew up a “By-Law States.Regulation, This code,or Statute” with modificationsfor the establishment made in of 1959,a suitable is still code in force;of academic the costumes dress forand colleges colors, trimmings,and universities and patterns in the United you willStates. see areThis all code, traditional with modifications and interpret madeboth indegree 1959, and is stillthe in fieldforce; of the learning. costumes The and bachelor’s colors, trimmings, gown, designed and patterns to be you worn will closed,see are has all traditionalpointed sleeves; and interpret the master’s both degree gown, and which the field may of belearning. worn open The bachelor’sor closed, gown, has andesigned oblong to sleeve be worn open closed, at the has wristpointed which sleeves; hangs thedown master’s in traditional gown, manner.which may The be rear worn part open of itsor oblong closed, shape has an is oblong square sleeve cut and open the at front the partwrist haswhich the hangs arc cutdown away. in traditionalThe doctor’s manner. gown The has rear bell-shaped part of its sleeves. oblong shapeIt may is besquare worn cutopen and or theclosed. front Bachelor’spart has the and arc master’scut away. Thegowns doctor’s are untrimmed.gown has bell-shaped Doctor’s gowns sleeves. are It faced may bewith worn black open velvet or closed. with threeBachelor’s bars across and master’s the sleeves; gowns orare the untrimmed. color of velvet Doctor’s may gowns be thatare whichfaced withis distinctive black velvet of withthe threedegree, bars agreeing across the with sleeves; that of or Motto thethe edging color of of velvet the hood. may be The that colors which you is distinctive will see in of the the hoodsdegree, agreeing with that of the edging of the hood. The colors you will and gowns of our faculty represent the various fields in which see in the hoods and gowns of our faculty represent the various Always Excel, Always Overcome, thefields degrees in which were the taken. degrees A fewwere are: taken. A few are: Always Succeed Accountancy,Accountancy, Commerce, Commerce, Motto Business Business ......................................................... ................................ DrabDrab (Yellow-Brown) (Yellow-Brown) Latin: Semper Vinco AgricultureAgriculture ....................................................... ................................ MaizeMaize (Pale (Pale Yellow) Yellow) “Always Excel, Always Overcome, Architecture .............................. Blue-Violet (Purple) Architecture ..................................................... Blue-Violet (Purple) Always Succeed” Arts, Letters, Humanities .......... White Arts, Letters, Humanities ......................................................White Economics ............................... Copper EconomicsEducation ............ ................................................................................................Light