Alma Mater Magazine - Fall 2006
University Awards
William H. Ruffner Medal
F.W. "Sonny" Merryman Jr. '46
A native of Rustburg, Virginia, Sonny Merryman began his entrepreneurial career delivering newspapers. In 1942, he followed in his father's footsteps and enrolled at Virginia Tech, studying animal husbandry and planning a career in the cattle business. In 1953, Merryman began a career in sales for Smith Moore Body Company. He then started his own company, Sonny Merryman, Inc., for which he now serves as chairman of the board. The company, which began in an enclosed back porch office at his home, has now grown to one of the state's largest distributors of school transportation vehicles. Merryman is a charter member of the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation's Hall of Fame for outstanding contributions to the organization and to school transportation safety on a national, state, local and industry level. Throughout his career, he has remained a strong supporter of Virginia Tech. The Merryman Center has been a key component in recruiting some of the top athletes in the country, which has contributed to the success of the athletic programs at Virginia Tech. Merryman is a charter member of the President's Circle, a distinguished group of individuals whose lifetime contributions to the university total $1 million or more. He has established the Sonny Merryman, Inc. Endowed Professorship in Business and has been a strong supporter of the Alumni and Conference Center and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. The family has also endowed a number of scholarships at Virginia Tech. The Sonny Merryman Endowed Scholarship underscores the family's focus on providing educational opportunities for the youth of Campbell County. Merryman says that his main goal for his generosity toward Virginia Tech is to enable students to get a good education so they can be a role model for further philanthropy. President Charles W. Steger said, "We are pleased to honor Sonny Merryman with this prestigious honor. Through dedication, service and contributions to the university, he has continued to show his love for Virginia Tech. His generosity has helped the university serve its students and the community."
Alumni Distinguished Service Award
Calvin D. Jamison Sr. '77
A native of Martinsville, Virginia, Calvin D. Jamison Sr. graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in education in 1977, a master's in 1981 and a doctorate in 1988. Jamison is the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Hampton University. He joined Hampton University from the City of Richmond where he served as CEO/City Manager. He previously spent fourteen years in higher education with faculty and administrative roles at Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University and seven years in the private sector with the Ethyl Corporation. He is a former "Cadmus Leader in Residence" at the University of Richmond. During his tenure at Virginia Tech, he provided leadership for the largest increase in minority student enrollment in the university's history up to that time. Throughout his career, Jamison has participated in a range of activities reflecting his interests in government, education and the arts. He is past chair of Virginia Tourism Corporation and Leadership Metro Richmond; a member of the board of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators; and a past president of the Arts Council of Richmond. Jamison has served on the board of directors of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the Pamplin Advisory Council, and he helped create and provide long-standing leadership to the university's Black Alumni Organization.
Alumni Distinguished Service Award
Paul M. Saunders '54
Paul M. Saunders of Piney River, Virginia, is the owner and partner of Saunders Brothers Nurseries, Inc., a wholesale nursery operation which began as a partnership between five brothers in 1915. He is recognized nationally as a leading authority on boxwood varieties and is the author of the Best of the Best Cultivars Manual. Maintaining a strong commitment to Virginia Tech for many years, Saunders is past president of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, and has served on the Ag Alumni Board of Directors and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Leadership Council. He has served on the Regional Campaign Committee, the Virginia Tech Foundation Board, and the Class of '54 Reunion Committee. In addition to his service, Saunders is a benefactor of the Ut Prosim Society. "We are pleased to present Paul Saunders with this award," said Thomas C. Tillar Jr., vice president of alumni relations. "He has dedicated many years of service and is an avid supporter of many initiatives undertaken on the university's behalf." Saunders graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering. He has seven sons, all of whom are Virginia Tech graduates, and four sons are partners with him in the nursery.
Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence
Doris T. Zallen - Professor of Science and Technology in Society
Alumni Award for Team Outreach Excellence
Shannon Jarrott - Associate Professor of Human Development
Cynthia L. Smith - Assistant Professor of Human Development
Victoria R. Fu - Professor of Human Development
Alison Galway - Director, Adult Day Services
Ila W. Schepisi - Activity Director, Adult Day Services
Kate Milne - Curriculum Director, Child Development Center
Karen Gallagher - Assistant Director, Child Development Center
Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Mark V. Barrow Jr. - Associate Professor of History
Fritz H. Oehlschlaeger - Professor of English
Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising
Jennifer L. Mooney - Instructor of English
Alumni Award for Excellence in Graduate Academic Advising
David S. Kronfeld - Professor of Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
William E. Wine Awards (for Teaching)
Thomas M. Gardner - Professor of English
G.V. Loganathan - Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Kevin D. Pelzer - Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine
Alumni Award for Excellence in International Education
G. Rodney Thompson - Professor of Finance
Alumni Award for Excellence in International Outreach and Research
Jeffrey R. Alwang - Professor of Agriculture and Applied Economics
Alumni Awards for Excellence in Research
Harry C. Dorn - Professor of Chemistry
Marc A. Edwards - Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Karen A. Roberto - Professor of Human Development and Director of the Center for Gerontology
Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension
Jinx Baney -
Unit Coordinator and Extension Agent,
4-H Youth Development
Brunswick Cooperative Extension Service
D. Ames Herbert -
Professor of Entomology
Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Sporn Award for Teaching Introductory Subjects
Paul V. Heilker - Associate Professor of English
Sporn Award for Teaching Engineering Subjects
Preston L. Durrill - Professor of Chemical Engineering
Graduate Student Awards
Denise R. Adkins - Psychology (Teaching Award)
Suolong Ni - Chemistry (Teaching Commendation)
Brian J. Olsen - Biological Sciences (Teaching Commendation)
Ben D. Poquette - Materials Science & Engineering (Service Award)
Navin J. Manjooran - Materials Science & Engineering (Service Commendation)
Shannon H. Dalton - Curriculum & Instruction (Service Commendation)
Graduate Alumni Achievement Award
Joe Allen Hairston '93 - Education Administration
Outstanding Student Awards
Class of 2006 graduates who were recognized by the Alumni Association for scholarship and leadership
Lorena Johnson - Agriculture & Life Sciences
Katelyn Keefe - Architecture & Urban Studies
Raheel Khan - Pamplin College of Business
Michael Willemann - College of Engineering
Gregory Sagstetter - College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
Jason Swenson - College of Natural Resources
Shelby McDonald - College of Science
Neal Peckens - College of Veterinary Medicine
Outstanding Recent Alumni Awards
Graduates from each college, completing degrees in the past 10 years, who have distinguished themselves professionally
Amy Kathleen Kyger '04; Bridgewater, Virginia
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Stephen Paul Carter '96; Wesley Chapel, Florida
College of Architecture & Urban Studies
Steven G. Dishner; Richmond, Virginia
Pamplin College of Business
Andrea Jean Hill '03; Christiansburg, Virginia
College of Engineering
Michael Rohd '00; Portland, Oregon
College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
Donald C. Bright '98; Clarksville, Virginia
College of Natural Resources
Colin C. Hill '96; Ithaca, New York
College of Science
Rhonda Rathgeber '95; Lexington, Kentucky
College of Veterinary Medicine