July 2006

Virginia Tech unveils redesigned, vastly improved university website

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

To make Virginia Tech’s “electronic front door” — the website www.vt.edu — easier for people to use, the university launched today a new design for the most visible areas of its website. The new design, which represents another element of the university's "Invent the Future" branding initiative, combined with new functionalities and site architecture, will greatly improve access to information, resources, and programs of the university.

Dairy Club recognized as outstanding chapter in national association

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The Dairy Club at Virginia Tech earned several awards at the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) national conference, including recognition as the 2006 Outstanding Chapter in the Student Affiliate Division. This was the fourteenth time since 1980 that the Virginia Tech club has received the award, more than any other participating university club.

Engineering students win autonomous vehicle competition for third year

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

For the third year in a row, the Virginia Tech College of Engineering’s Autonomous Vehicle Team swept the international Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), winning best and second-best overall and placing first in the three top event categories. The team of mechanical engineering (ME) students also was awarded $15,000 in prize money.

Four students cycle across America on a Journey of Hope

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

On Saturday, Aug. 5, two of the four members of the Delta Alpha chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Virginia Tech who are participating in the Journey for Hope biking event, will pass through Blacksburg en route to their final destination in Washington, D.C.

Engineering researcher honored at White House for advancing e-textiles

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

For his research in the emerging field of electronic textiles, Thomas L. Martin, an associate professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was honored at the White House today as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

Rare stinky plant ready to bloom in campus greenhouse

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Cover your nose, and come see one of Virginia Tech's two rare Amorphophallus titanum, or "corpse plants" that is ready to bloom and emit its intensely powerful stench.

New computational model allows for better understanding of AIDS drug

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech have developed a computational model that allows scientists to better understand the metabolism and toxicity of the HIV/AIDS drug zidovudine (azidothymidine, AZT).

College of Architecture and Urban Studies faculty symposium wins international design award

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

A 90-page document created for Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies bi-annual faculty symposium has been awarded a silver Magnum Opus award.

Jack Ridinger, recently retired Virginia Tech police captain, suffers fatal stroke

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Jack Ridinger, a captain with the Virginia Tech Police who retired on March 31 after 26 years of service, suffered a fatal stroke on Thursday, July 20, while vacationing at Hilton Head, SC. He was 58.

Doctoral student appointed White House Fellow by President Bush

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Jeffrey Daniel Stern, a public administration doctoral student in the School of Public and International Affairs in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, has been appointed a White House Fellow by President Bush.

Department of Theatre Arts announces dates for 2006-07 season

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech’s Department of Theatre Arts has announced a diverse lineup of plays that will be performed in the 2006-07 season. In keeping with the department's commitment to new works, this year's season includes four plays written in recent decades.

Melissa Maybury Lubin named director of Virginia Tech Richmond Center

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Melissa Maybury Lubin of Richmond, Va., has been named director of the Virginia Tech Richmond Center. In this position, she will be responsible for the university’s graduate and lifelong learning programs that are tailored to serve the people of the greater Richmond community.

Faculty assist in professional development of area history teachers

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

At the end of July, a group of 38 K-12 Montgomery County teachers will conclude a three-year professional development opportunity designed by faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech to increase student achievement in traditional American history.

Graduate School to host Emerging Leaders Workshop August 3-6

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The 8th Annual Emerging Leaders Workshop (ELW), hosted by the Graduate School at Virginia Tech, will be held Aug. 3-6 at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, Va.

Three appointments announced in Pamplin College of Business

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business has appointed Roderick A. Hall, of Christiansburg, Va., as associate dean for administration and research, effective July 1 and Bonnie L. Gilbert, of Newport, Va., as assistant director of alumni relations.

Agriculture researchers monitor Virginia's soybean crop for disease

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech’s researchers are actively monitoring the commonwealth’s soybean crop to assist producers in protecting their fields from major yield reductions caused by Asian soybean rust, an aggressive fungal disease, and the soybean aphid.

Orientation 2006 offers an initial sampling of Virginia Tech hospitality

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

It's rare to see Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech teeming with students in the middle of July during what is traditionally summer break for most students.

Proposed fine and performing arts center receives new push

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mark McNamee, has created the “Arts Stakeholder Group” and charged it with guiding the programmatic planning for the proposed fine and performing arts center.

Partnership with Arena Stage brings theater workshops, creative process to campus this summer

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith announced a new partnership with the Virginia Tech Department of Theatre Arts in the form of summer workshops on the university’s campus to develop upcoming Arena Stage productions.

Witonsky honored with Pfizer award at 2006 Research Symposium

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Dr. Sharon Witonsky, of Blacksburg, Va., and associate professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored with the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence during the college’s recent 2006 Research Symposium.

Paul L. Knox named Virginia Tech Senior Fellow for International Advancement

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech Distinguished Professor Paul L. Knox has been appointed Senior Fellow for International Advancement by university President Charles W. Steger. In this role, Knox will work to enhance international education at Virginia Tech.

University Libraries acquires vital new resources in all disciplines

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

In response to the Virginia Tech Information Needs Project, University Libraries has acquired several significant information resources to further support the teaching and research activities of the university’s students and faculty.

Veterinary medicine researchers invent vaccine for global swine disease

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Researchers working in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Virginia Tech with funding support from Fort Dodge Animal Health Inc. have developed a vaccine to protect against Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) in pigs, a major threat to the global swine industry.

Energy focus of latest Research magazine

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

When 50 million people in the United States lost power for 30 hours in mid August 2003, it was an “ah ha” moment, resulting in increased support for research. That investment is beginning to pay off.

New faculty administrative fellow in research office to focus on energy

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Richard Hirsh, of Blacksburg, Va., professor of history and science and technology studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and director of the Consortium on Energy Restructuring at Virginia Tech, has been named as a faculty administrative fellow in the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Ray Van Dyke named director of academic assessment

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Ray Van Dyke has been named director of academic assessment at Virginia Tech. The announcement was made by Terry Wildman, assistant provost for faculty development and assessment.

DeHart honored at the veterinary medicine's 2006 Research Symposium

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Steve DeHart, of Blacksburg, Va., buildings and grounds supervisor, was recently honored with the Outstanding Contributor Award during the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s 2006 Research Symposium.