Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
2008 Outstanding Graduating Seniors
Each year the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes those students who have been selected by each of the departments as their outstanding students. Each of the recipients has gone beyond their traditional college experience of taking courses to voluntarily participating in opportunities that have truly broadened their education.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Phillip Chong, outstanding senior for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Phillip Chong of Fairfax, Va., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Phillip, a University Honors student, is also majoring in political science. He has been on the dean’s list since 2004 and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Phillip has served as a teaching assistant for an environmental law class and an agricultural law class. He is also a research assistant, concentrating on property issues. In addition to his success in the classroom, Phillip has participated in Crossing the Borders Through Service-Learning Program, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, and Gamma Beta Phi Service Society. Outside of school, Phillip has interned for U.S. Sen. Jim Webb and for the U.S. Department of the State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. He was the recipient of the 2007 Korean-American Foundation Public Service Award. Phillip also helps tutor English as a Second Language (ESL) students at Margaret Beeks Elementary School.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Lauren Patterson, outstanding senior for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education is Lauren Patterson of Virginia Beach, Va. Lauren has been on the dean’s list numerous times and is a recipient of the Warren W. Hobbie Scholarship for Religious Studies Minors. Lauren has been a member of Campus Crusade for Christ, the Agricultural Education Society, and the Reformed University Fellowship where she served on the Leadership Team. She was a student employee in Virginia Tech Dining Services for about two years. Lauren has also volunteered with the youth group and in the nursery at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Elizabeth Stout, outstanding senior for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Elizabeth Stout of Fort Valley, Va., is this year’s outstanding senior for agricultural sciences in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. Elizabeth has minors in biological sciences, horticulture, and leadership and social change. She has served as a teaching assistant in the horticulture department’s Floral Design Lab and in the Residential Leadership Community. She has been on the dean’s list several times throughout her college career. Outside of the classroom, Elizabeth was an administrative assistant for the Virginia FFA Association. She has been extremely active as a participant in the Virginia Tech Collegiate FFA, the Virginia FFA Association State Sentinel, and New Life Christian Fellowship. She was a member of the Virginia Tech Agricultural Education Society where she served as banquet co-chair, committee member at large, and vice president. Elizabeth was also a member of Virginia Tech Collegiate Young Farmers, the Residential Leadership Community, and Campus Crusade for Christ.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Brian Johnson, outstanding senior for the Agricultural Technology Program; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
The Agricultural Technology program has named Brian Johnson of Chesterfield, Va., its outstanding student. Brian will complete his associate of agriculture degree in applied agricultural management. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout college. Brian is the recipient of a Pratt Merit Scholarship and the Marion and Annie Williams Agricultural Sciences Scholarship. He organized and participated in the fall 2007 Hokie Harvest Sale and assisted with the 2007 fall festival at the Sinkland Farm in Riner, Va.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Thomas Cotrone, outstanding senior for the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences is Thomas Cotrone of Drakes Branch, Va. Thomas has a vast amount of work experience that includes serving as an animal care technician at the Virginia Tech Vet Clinic. He has volunteered at the Virginia Tech Beef Barns and the Dairy Barns. His extensive record of undergraduate research includes studies on New Castle Disease Virus and the effects of glucose on growth hormone stimulation. Thomas is a tutor for the Center of Academic Enrichment and Excellence and chairman of the funding committee for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors. He was also an undergraduate teaching assistant for several courses within the college.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Katharine Asta, outstanding senior for the Department of Biochemistry; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Katharine Asta of Fairfax Station, Va., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Biochemistry. Katharine, who has a second major in human nutrition, foods and exercise, performs research in both the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise and the Department of Biochemistry. Katharine is also a microbiology teaching assistant. She gives back to Virginia Tech by tutoring for the Student Athletic Academic Support Services and by volunteering in the YMCA Buddy Program. She is in the Natural Resource Recreation Society, Mountain Justice, and the Environmental Coalition, and she is a master naturalist of the New River Valley. Katharine, who is a University Honors student, is a recipient of the Biochemistry Departmental Scholarship and a mentor in the Presidential Campus Enrichment Grant program.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Amy Fannon, outstanding senior for the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences is Amy Fannon of Pennington Gap, Va. She has been a dean’s list student every semester. Amy attended the Virginia Governor’s School of Agriculture in the summer of 2007. She is currently a research assistant in the Virginia Tech Department of Forestry and a member of the Virginia Tech Soil Judging Team. Amy has been the the National Recording Secretary of Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Science (SASES), and the National Vice President of SASES. She was a Golden Opportunity Scholar in 2007. She was the president of the Virginia Tech Agronomy Club and a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassador.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Mary Dickenson, outstanding senior for the Department of Dairy Science; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Mary Dickenson of Galax, Va., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Dairy Science. Mary is a dean’s list student who was awarded the Gamma Sigma Delta Junior Award of Merit for her high grade-point average. She has received numerous scholarships, including the William Hackman Scholarship, Cooperative Milk Producers Scholarship, and the John and Pat White Scholarship among others. Mary has performed extensive research that includes the Leadership Development Project for Associate Professor Katharine Knowlton and has completed an independent study in the Dairy Science Mastitis and Immunology Laboratory. She has served as an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Animal Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory and for the Animal Nutrition and Feeding course. She is the service committee chair of Golden Key International Honor Society, the secretary for the Virginia Tech Dairy Club, a member of the Pre-Vet Club, and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Elleen Hsu, outstanding senior for Environmental Sciences; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Elleen Hsu of McLean, Va., has been named the outstanding senior for environmental sciences in the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences. Elleen has been on the dean’s list for six semesters. She is a recipient of the William R. Powell Scholarship, the Spivey Scholarship, and the V.W. and M.D. Smith Scholarship. Elleen has been involved in various intramural sports, including co-recreational football, softball, and ultimate Frisbee. Elleen participates in the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Praise Band and is a Cornerstone Fellowship Inreach/Outreach officer and group coordinator. She performed a semester internship at Life Skills Application and Neighborhood Community Empowerment in Christiansburg, Va. In addition, Elleen has been an annual Big Event volunteer since 2004 and was an emergency room volunteer at Montgomery Regional Hospital in the fall of 2007.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Katharine Robbins, outstanding senior for the Department of Food Science and Technology; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Katharine Robbins of Manlius, N.Y., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Food Science and Technology. Katharine, who is a University Honors student, has been on the dean’s list every semester since she started at Virginia Tech. She is in Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa. In October of 2007, Katharine’s poster was selected as a top undergraduate poster for a visiting researcher at the Dean’s Forum on Health and Nutrition at the University of Nottingham in England, U.K.. Katharine has received numerous scholarships, including the Institute of Food Technologists Scholarship in 2005, 2006, and 2007. She is the president of the Food Science Club, an area representative for the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association, and a member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Council. Additionally, Katharine is a chemistry recitation instructor and a tutor for Student Athlete Academic Support Services.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Mary Grist, outstanding senior for the Department of Horticulture; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Horticulture is Mary Grist of Clintonville, W.Va. Mary is a dean’s list student and a recipient of the American Society for Horticultural Science Scholars Scholarship in 2007. She is a member of Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society for Horticulture. Outside of her academic achievements, Mary is a member of American Society for Horticultural Science, the Agronomy Club, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors. She serves on the executive committee of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors and was previously a Young Farmers member at large. She also has volunteer experience with the Adopt-A-Highway program.
Mary Marchant, associate dean and director of Academic Programs; Carmen Byker, outstanding senior for the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise; and Sharron Quisenberry, dean
Carmen Byker of Virginia Beach, Va., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. Carmen is a Fralin Fellow for Obesity/Nutrition, and she has been a Scholarship America recipient for the past four years. She is a member of Alpha Zeta National Honor Fraternity, the Virginia Tech Recreational Sports Evaluation Committee, and the Student Dietetics Association. Carmen is currently an undergraduate research assistant for Assistant Professor Elena Serrano. In the past, Carmen has been a student assistant for the Virginia Tech Residence Life Office, secretary for the Fitness and Nutrition Club, and an undergraduate researcher. Carmen has performed a great deal of community service, including for the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market Education Committee, as a Hokie Memorial Marathon Runner, and for the Happy Feet Exercise Program at Margaret Beeks Elementary. For the summer of 2008, Carmen will participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Scholar Program at Virginia Tech.