Virginia Tech Magazine
Virginia Tech

Alumni Association celebrates 135 years
On Nov. 6, 2010, the Alumni Association celebrated its 1875 founding with a 135th-anniversary celebration gala dinner, which was held in conjunction with the fall board of directors meeting. Former board members were invited back to campus and inducted into the association's new recognition society, the Gateway Society. This year also marked the fifth anniversary of the Holtzman Alumni Center, as well as The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.

Those in attendance heard remarks from President Charles W. Steger; Tom Tillar, vice president for alumni relations; John Dooley, vice president for outreach and international affairs; and Curry Roberts, Alumni Association president. A reenactor offered a "surprise visit" from Addison Caldwell, Tech's first student in 1872 who later became the first Alumni Association secretary. The evening concluded with a musical performance by Nancy Glisson Lucy, a former board member and 1993 Miss Virginia.

Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger
Virginia Tech Alumni Association 135th-anniversary celebration gala dinner
Virginia Tech Vice President for Alumni Affairs Tom Tillar
Virginia Tech Alumni Association 135th-anniversary celebration gala dinner
photos by JOHN McCORMICK
Two Alumni Distinguished Professors named
The Alumni Distinguished Professor program was established and endowed in the early 1970s to recognize and reward exceptional teaching and scholarship. There are currently 10 Alumni Distinguished Professors, and the Alumni Association is pleased to introduce the two newest appointees.
Alumni Distinguished Professor of English Thomas M. Gardner
A professor since 1982, Tom Gardner consistently earns rave reviews from his students, including those who describe him as the best professor they've ever had and his class as the one they learned the most from at Virginia Tech. A playwright who has also published five books, Gardner helps students examine world issues through poetry. "He teaches students to read and think about poetry as they never have before," said Carolyn Rude, professor and chair of the Department of English.
Thomas M. Gardner, English
Alumni Distinguished Professor of Forestry John R. Seiler
John Seiler, a professor known for his passionate teaching, is an internationally recognized dendrology researcher. Since earning his doctorate at Virginia Tech in 1984 and beginning to teach, he has earned teaching awards at the university, state, national, and international levels. A previous graduate student said of Seiler, "His energy and enthusiasm for his job, his coworkers, and his students are contagious and uplifting and serve as a model that I strive for in my professional career."
John R. Seiler, forestry

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Spring 2011
2010-11
Board of Directors
Curry A. Roberts '80
president

Lance L. Smith '68
president-elect

Matthew M. Winston Jr. '90
vice president

Tom Tillar '69
secretary/treasurer

Kevin W. Leclaire '95
past president


DIRECTORS
William A. Aden '67, '72
Ryan M. Beach '97
Mary Jones Berry '62*
Daniel W. Bird Jr. '60*
Jeanne C. DaDamio '75, '76
Kendley J. Davenport '84
Lisa Carter Ellison '86
Douglas R. Fahl '65
A. Jerome Fowlkes '88
Kathleen Kyger Frazier '04
Harry N. Gustin II '43*
Todd F. Hearp '89
William B. Holtzman '59*
Gene A. James '53*
Hoda Kotb '86
William C. Latham '55*
Mark S. Lawrence '80
W. Park Lemmond '54
R. Easton Loving '89, '91
Aaron McClung '00
Pamela A. McConnell '72
Kylene Barker McNeill '78
Gregory D. Merritt '93
Lisa Glasscock Miller '87
Nicholas J. Moga '76
Jean Skelton Montague '69
Brian C. Montgomery '03
Thomas W. Moss Jr. '50*
James P. O'Connell '97
Jay S. Poole '78
A. Carole Pratt '72
Glenn P. Reynolds '76
Philip S. Thompson '77
G.T. Ward '49, '52*

*Lifetime honorary member