ALUMNI
Alumni Organization Presents Annual Awards
Dean Sharron Quisenberry, John M. White, and Buster Beier, Secretary/ Treasurer, CALSAO
John M. White of Blacksburg, Va., associate dean emeritus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was inducted into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame, which honors those individuals who have given exemplary service to the college. White was recognized for his outstanding leadership in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a teacher, researcher, and administrator.
White began his career at Virginia Tech in 1967 as a faculty member in the Department of Dairy Science, where he developed several innovative courses including animal genetics and applied dairy and livestock breeding. In 1978, White was named head of the Department of Dairy Science, a position that he held for eight years.
In 1986, he was named associate dean and director of Academic Programs for the College. During his 16-year tenure, he worked closely with college alumni to develop the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization. He was also instrumental in the development of the Agricultural Technology program.
White has served on numerous college, university, and industry committees; and he has served industry as a principal speaker at many state, regional, national, and international seminars, conventions, and genetic improvement programs. He has also served as a continuing consultant to the Holstein-Friesian Association of America Board.
2005 Outstanding Faculty Service Award
Dean Sharron Quisenberry, John Crunkilton, and Buster Beier, Secretary/Treasurer, CALSAO
John Crunkilton of Blacksburg, Va., professor emeritus of agricultural and extension education, was awarded the 2005 Outstanding Faculty Award.
Crunkilton, who began his career at Virginia Tech 1969, was honored for his many years of service. He has held many positions within the college including professor, program area leader for agricultural education, associate dean and associate director for academic programs, and director of agricultural technology. He has also served as interim dean and associate dean for the School of Education.
Crunkilton has received many honors and awards including the University Alumni Teaching Excellence Award, the University Certificate of Teaching Excellence, the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence for the College of Education, Distinguished Lecturer for the American Association of Teacher Educators in Agriculture, and the Author of the Year Award by the Journal of American Association of Teacher Educators in Agriculture.
He has been very active internationally, conducting professional activities in 13 countries. He is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the American Farm School in Greece and served as the chair of the Technical Agricultural Association from 2000 to 2002.
2005 Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award
Dean Sharron Quisenberry, Michael Parrish, past president, CALSAO; and Buster Beier, Secretary/Treasurer, CALSAO
Michael J. Parrish, of Chester, Va., was awarded the first Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award. The award was established to recognize alumni for their leadership and service to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization.
Parrish has been instrumental in revitalizing the regional coordinator positions and instituted three new alumni organization awards: the Outstanding Faculty Member, the Outstanding Ambassador, and the Outstanding Alumni Leadership award. During his tenure as president, the alumni board has become an active participant in the Virginia Governor's School for Agriculture by arranging industry tours and conducting the annual VGSA picnic.
2005 Ambassador Award
Dean Sharron Quisenberry, Laura Grove, and Buster Beier, Secretary/Treasurer, CALSAO
Laura E. Grove of Blacksburg, Va., was awarded the first Outstanding Ambassador award. Grove was recognized for her outstanding leadership to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors and to the college. In addition to being an ambassador, she was also active in the Agricultural Education Society, Alpha Tau Alpha, Block and Bridle, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Leadership Council, and the Young Farmers. She also served as a staff member for the Virginia Governor's School for Agriculture.
Grove received her bachelor of science degree in agricultural and Extension education in 2005 and is currently employed as a horticulture teacher at Pulaski County High School while working on a master's degree in agricultural and Extension education.
2005 Young Agricultural Alumni Citation
Dean Sharron Quisenberry, Amy Kathleen Kyger, and Buster Beier, Secretary/Treasurer, CALSAO
Amy Kathleen Kyger of Bridgewater, Va., was awarded the 2005 Young Agricultural Alumni award. Kyger serves as the assistant vice president for public affairs at the Virginia Agriculture Business Council. She was cited for the outstanding leadership she provides to Virginia's agriculture industry.
Kyger graduated from Virginia Tech in 2004 with a degree in agricultural and applied economics with a concentration in community and economic development. She served as an intern with the United States House of Representative's Agriculture Committee and with the Virginia Farm Bureau's Governmental Relations Department. As a student, Kyger was active as a leader with the college ambassadors, the Ag Econ/NAMA Club, and Sigma Alpha Sorority.