2008 Alumni Awards for Outreach Excellence

Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence - E. Thomas Ewing
E. Thomas Ewing, associate professor in history, has played a key role in a wide range of outreach activities related to improving public school teachersÕ historical understanding, their awareness of globalization, and their access to new teaching materials. Ewing has played a key role in helping Montgomery County Public Schools secure two three-year grants toward this end through Teaching American History over the past five years.

Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence-Elizabeth Gilboy, Kim Steika, Terri Fisher, Maxine Lyons (Team)
The Community Design Assistance Center has worked with almost 200 communities, provided nearly 400 student jobs, and engaged over 60 faculty in meaningful opportunities to partner with communities. This engagement has leveraged millions of dollars for communities to improve the lives of citizens and foster economic, social, environ- mental, and health-related improvements to communities.

2008 Alumni Awards for International Excellence

Alumni Award for International Programs-
Excellence in International Education-Devi R. Gnyawali
Devi Gnyawali is associate professor of management in the Pamplin College of Business. GnyawaliÕs exemplary contributions to enrich the quality of international programs include leading study abroad programs in Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea; establishment of partnerships with several universities in Asia; advising graduate and undergraduate international students and the Nepali Student Association at Virginia Tech; development of courses with international content; and publications in several international journals.

Alumni Award for International Programs-
Excellence in International Outreach-Glenda M. Snyder
Glenda Snyder is extension agent for 4-H Youth Development in Botetourt County. She has provided leadership to an innovative initiative in Brazil, which has introduced character education training to schools and communities in the state of Santa Catarina. In 2007, Snyder hosted the first Brazil-Virginia Judges Exchange program that introduced 34 Brazilian judges to the United States judicial system.

Alumni Award for International Programs-
Excellence in International Research-John Browder
No information available by press time.

2008 College Awards for Outreach Excellence

Outreach Excellence-Robert Dunay and Joseph Wheeler,
College of Architecture and Urban Studies (Team)
Professors Robert Dunay and Joseph Wheeler have advanced public awareness of the value of architecture and design by communicating the importance of well-built environments regionally, nationally, and internationally. Their work with students on creating displays and public exhibitions has been broadly acclaimed for their technological innovation and forward thinking approach.

Outreach Excellence-Anthony T. Cobb, Pamplin College of Business
Terry Cobb, associate professor of management, has a long history of working with community organizations and businesses. Most recently he has worked closely with the Roanoke County Police Department, the Free Clinics of the New River Valley and Pulaski, and the Wolseley Corporation, helping them achieve their organizational objectives.

Outreach Excellence-Eugene F. Brown and Mark A. Pierson,
College of Engineering (Team)
Eugene Brown and Mark Pierson of the mechanical engineering department have led the collegeÕs efforts to re-establish a nuclear engineering program and have contributed to the development of a rapidly growing research relationship with the nuclear industry sector located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Outreach Excellence-Angela Scarpa, College of Science
Angela Scarpa of the Department of Psychology is recognized for her efforts to establish viable treatment and training programs in southwest Virginia for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Scarpa has worked in three principal endeavors: 1) the establishment of the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic to provide training for graduate students and assessment and treatment for individuals of all ages with ASDs; 2) the provision of information to professionals, schools and the public about ASDs; and 3) the development of research programs to advance knowledge of these disorders and to educate regarding empirically-based assessments and treatment.

Outreach Excellence-Carol J. Burger, Elizabeth G. Creamer, and Peggy S. Meszaros-College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (Team)
Carol Burger (Interdisciplinary Studies), Elizabeth Creamer (School of Education), and Peggy Meszaros (Human Development and Center for Technology Impacts on Children, Youth, and Families) are recognized as a team for significant contributions to the dissemination of knowledge related to Òwhy girls do or do not choose to pursue careers in information technology.Ó The team has disseminated their work through 21 publications, 39 presentations, two books, a DVD, two international conferences, and four websites.

Outreach Excellence-E. Thomas Ewing-History, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
E. Thomas Ewing, associate professor in history, has played a key role in a wide range of outreach activities related to improving public school teachersÕ historical understanding, their awareness of globalization, and their access to new teaching materials. Tom has played a key role in helping Montgomery County Public Schools secure two three-year grants toward this end through Teaching American History over the past five years.

Outreach Excellence-Irene Leech-Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
The efforts of Irene Leech, associate professor of apparel, housing, and resource management, contribute to the financial well-being of Virginians. She serves as president of the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council and regularly participates in legislative and regulatory meetings, and testifies before legislative committees. Leech is often contacted by the media and translates her knowledge in a way that connects with the general public.