Awards
Alumni Association Awards Summary
Alumni Distinguished Service Awards
Established in 1973, the Alumni Distinguished Service Awards are the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus/alumna by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Presented at commencement, this award recognizes individuals on the significance of their contributions to the university, the Alumni Association, and their communities, with additional consideration for professional achievements and accomplishments.
William E. Wine Award
Established in 1957 by the Alumni Association, the William E. Wine Award is presented annually to three Virginia Tech faculty members to recognize "a history of university teaching excellence." Nominations by students, alumni, and faculty in each college are reviewed by respective college selection committees. The colleges' candidates are reviewed by a university-wide committee, which then selects the three award winners. Each recipient is inducted into the university's Academy of Teaching Excellence.
Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension
Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension is presented annually to two Virginia Tech Virginia Cooperative Extension staff members who have made outstanding contributions outside the classroom. One award is given to an Extension specialist and one is given to an Extension agent. Recipients are chosen by the Extension Division.
Alumni Association Engaged Research Award [Outreach]
The Engaged Research Award recognizes faculty who apply their research or creative activity to address a significant community need or larger social issue, trying to find solutions that may improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. They actively collaborate with members of the community (locally, statewide, nationally, or globally), regarding them as equal partners in the process, sharing knowledge and expertise, and working together to generate new knowledge for the mutual benefit of both the community and the university.
Graduate Alumni Achievement Award
The Graduate School and Virginia Tech Alumni Association established this award in 2003 to recognize outstanding graduate alumni who have demonstrated outstanding national and/or international achievement and exemplary contributions to their profession, discipline, community, and society. Recipients will be engaged in efforts that enhance the reputation of Virginia Tech to a national and/or international audience. The award is presented at the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony each spring.
Graduate Student Service Excellence Award
Two awards annually recognizing graduate students who serve as graduate teaching assistants:
- GTA Instructor of Record – serves as primary instructor of course or course section, provides content and delivery of the material, and assigns grades.
- GTA – Assistant – provides support to faculty instructor of record with grading, occasional lecturing, holding student office hours, and other tasks.
Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Graduate Student Service Excellence Award honors one student annually who demonstrates excellence for promoting the public good in service internally or externally to the university.
Outstanding Recent Alumni Awards
Each year the Alumni Association honors recent alumni from each college who are graduates of the past ten years. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to their chosen career field and their leadership and service to the university and to their communities.
Early Career Scholarly Impact Award (award to three pre-tenure faculty)
The award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated early leadership as scholars, as evidenced by a substantial record of scholarly impact.
Frontier Award (awarded to three post-tenure faculty)
The award recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement for mid-career faculty, as well as their potential to build on established research to advance knowledge and innovation.