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Awards

Award plaques on a table

Alumni Association Awards Summary

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. 

 

Award recognition $2,000 per award.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising is presented annually by the Office of the Provost to recognize Virginia Tech faculty who have been particularly dedicated to and effective in the advising of undergraduate students. Recipients are selected by a committee of former award winners.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Graduate Academic Advising is presented annually by the Office of the Provost to recognize Virginia Tech faculty who have been particularly dedicated to and effective in the advising of graduate students. Recipients are selected by a committee of former award winners.

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.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in International Education is presented annually to a Virginia Tech faculty or staff member who has had a significant impact on international education at the university. Selection is based upon contributions to the internationalization of Virginia Tech, the impact on students, the impact on the campus and community, the significance of the initiative, and the sustainability of the initiative. Recipients are selected by a subcommittee from the University Council on Outreach and International Affairs.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in International Outreach is presented annually to faculty or staff who have had a significant impact on international outreach at Virginia Tech. Selection is based on contributions to the internationalization of Virginia Tech, global impact, outreach significance, and sustainability. Recipients are selected by a subcommittee from the University Council on Outreach and International Affairs.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in International Research is presented annually to faculty or staff who have had a significant impact on international research at Virginia Tech. Selection is based on contributions to the internationalization of Virginia Tech, global impact, research/outreach significance, and research/outreach sustainability. Recipients are selected by a subcommittee from the University Council on Outreach and International Affairs.

Established by the university's Commission on Outreach and International Affairs with the support of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions by Virginia Tech faculty members who have extended the university's outreach mission throughout the commonwealth, the nation, and the world. Recipients are nominated by their peers and inducted into the university's Academy of Outreach Excellence. One award honors individual excellence and another award honors team excellence.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Research is presented annually to as many as two Virginia Tech faculty members who have made outstanding contributions in the area of research. Recipients are selected by a committee established through the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented annually to honor two Virginia Tech faculty members for teaching excellence. Award recipients are selected by the university's Academy of Teaching Excellence and chosen from among those faculty members who have received certificates of teaching excellence from their respective colleges during the preceding three years. Each recipient is inducted into the Academy of Teaching Excellence.

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.

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.

Two awards at $1,000 each.


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.

 

$1,000 award.


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.

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.

In 2004, the Alumni Association Board of Directors established a Humanitarian Award to honor deserving alumni who have significantly served a humanitarian cause with their participation and leadership. The award is presented to those alumni who, through their outstanding involvement and dedication, have made a significant contribution of leadership or service which has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity, and whose accomplishments reflect admirably on, or bring honor to, their alma mater.

All recipients must be nominated for the honor. The governance committee may select one nominee per year to present to the university external awards committee for consideration and possible recommendation to the president. This award will be presented at an appropriate university or Alumni Association-related event.