Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
2009 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.
Andrew Sowell, outstanding senior for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Andrew Sowell of Gloucester, Va., has been named this year’s outstanding senior in agriculture and applied economics. Andrew maintained a 3.84 grade point average while completing his degree with an emphasis in international trade and development, and a minor in music. During his time at Virginia Tech, Andrew served as a resident advisor and resident advisor liaison for two years. His passion for music is apparent in his work with the Newman Community, where he served as the music minister in 2008 and sang the tenor part of its “Voices of Hope” CD. Andrew is also proficient in Spanish, and he worked as a research intern for the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program in Ecuador in 2007. While there, Andrew worked on watershed management and wrote and presented a report on soil conservation methods. Andrew continued his work with the program in the summer of 2008, during which time he studied watershed management projects throughout the Andes.
Greta Brumback, outstanding senior for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Greta Brumback of Winchester, Va., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Agriculture and Extension Education. While completing her degree in agriculture science with minors in horticulture and agricultural economics, Greta has been very involved in numerous extracurricular activities. She used her leadership ability to serve as treasurer of the Collegiate FFA, secretary of Ceres Women’s Fraternity, and advertising assistant for the Hokie Harvest Sale. Greta has also been involved with the Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate Young Farmers, Poultry Club, and Baptist Campus Ministry. In addition, she has been a Big Event volunteer and served as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Greta has consistently excelled in the classroom while also holding a part-time job with the Virginia FFA Association. Her passion for service has shown itself through her many volunteer activities and her efforts to encourage students to wear pink ribbons during Breast Cancer Week.
Davey Ferrell, outstanding senior for the Agricultural Technology Program, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Davey Ferrell of Wyllliesburg, Va., was named this year’s outstanding senior for the Agricultural Technology Program. Davey gained an immense appreciation for agriculture from working in his family’s business, Ferrell and Sons Farms, for nine years. He also received practical experience working as an intern for Knoll Crest Farm in the summer of 2008. Davey has used his many years of experience to obtain certification in both beef quality assurance and artificial insemination. Davey currently has a 4.0 GPA, and his exceptional dedication to his studies has earned him several scholarships, including the Charlotte County Farm Bureau Scholarship and the Walter Priddy Scholarship. In addition to schoolwork, Davey is a member of the Postsecondary Agriculture Students of Virginia Tech, Collegiate FFA, the Agronomy Club, and the Forestry Club.
Morgan Agnew, outstanding senior for the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Morgan Agnew of Wyndmoor, Pa., is no stranger to hard work and a busy schedule. While working toward her degree in animal and poultry sciences with an equine emphasis, Morgan has stayed on the dean’s list for her entire tenure, with a grade point average of 3.85. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a collegiate honor society, as well as the Golden Key Honor Society, the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, and the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. Morgan has completed several internships, including one with the Perrotis College American Farm School in Greece and another at Highlife Farms in Orlando, Fla. She is also an undergraduate research assistant at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Morgan worked as a teaching assistant for several classes in her department and serves as an active member of Alpha Zeta, the Block and Bridle Club, and the Pre-Veterinary Club of Virginia Tech.
Meagan Meyers, outstanding senior for the Department of Biochemistry, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Biochemistry, Meagan Meyers, of Greencastle, Pa., constantly amazes those around her with her dedication to a wide variety of academic and philanthropic endeavors. While completing her degree with minors in chemistry and Spanish, Meagan juggled a rigorous academic schedule with multiple leadership positions and extracurricular activities and maintained a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Meagan is a member of numerous organizations, including the Dairy Club at Virginia Tech, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Phi Beta Kappa, a national honor society. Because of her involvement and dedication to school, Meagan has been awarded multiple scholarships. In 2007, Meagan was recognized as an Honors Scholar, which gave her the opportunity to study rural medicine in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Meagan will begin medical school at Penn State in the fall.
Molly Julian, outstanding senior for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Molly Julian of Bel Air, Md., is this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Molly is an honors student who has consistently excelled in the classroom while completing her degree in biological systems engineering with an option in land and water resources engineering and a minor in Spanish. She has won several scholarships and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, as well as Alpha Epsilon, an honor society for biological engineers. Molly also gained a wide range of undergraduate research experience as a research assistant for BSE. Additionally, Molly worked as an undergraduate fellow for BSE and presented the results of her work at the Sixth Annual Undergraduate Research and Prospective Graduate Student Conference. Molly volunteers her time with numerous organizations, including the Environmental Coalition, the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers, where she served as president. In February, she spearheaded the first BSE career fair that attracted several companies to Virginia Tech to recruit BSE students..
Joseph Cataldi, outstanding senior for the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences is Joseph Cataldi of Gordonsville. Va. Joseph has made the dean’s list every semester while completing his degree in crop and soil environmental sciences with a concentration in turfgrass management. Joseph transferred to Virginia Tech two years ago after receiving his associate’s degree from Piedmont Community College, where he graduated summa cum laude. Since arriving at Virginia Tech, Joseph has found time to be involved in the Virginia Tech Turf Club and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Turf Bowl Team. He also sought out additional experience within his major as a member of the grounds crew at Shenandoah Crossings Golf Club and as an intern for Spring Creek Golf Club.
Aaron Horst, outstanding senior for the Department of Dairy Science, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Aaron Horst of Chambersburg, Pa., was named this year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Dairy Science. While completing his degree in dairy science with a minor in agribusiness management, Aaron has received numerous awards for outstanding leadership and scholarship. Aaron has been an exceptional student and a strong contributor to his dairy science classes, as well as a successful member of the Virginia Tech Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Team. He is also an active member in the Dairy Club at Virginia Tech, where he has held several leadership positions including first vice president, treasurer, and chair of the selection committee for the Virginia Tech Showcase Sale. This year, he led the club through a very successful transition that took the sale from an entirely online-based auction to a live event. He is also the editor of the 2009 Milky Way, the club’s yearbook. Aaron was selected as the Fred Stout Intern for the American Jersey Cattle Association after his freshman year and worked for ABD Global as its Eastern Region Progeny Promotions intern the following year; he has continued to work with ABS the past two years.
Krista Williams, outstanding senior for Environmental Sciences, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Krista Williams of Blacksburg Va., is this year’s outstanding senior in environmental science. While completing her degree with a concentration in aquatic sciences, Krista has earned a 3.88 cumulative GPA and has held several internship positions in order to gain experience in her field. In the summer of 2005, Krista worked as a laboratory aide for Fairfax Water, and the following summer she was hired as an intern by the same company. She also interned at Tetra Tech, and last summer she participated in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program in watershed sciences and engineering, where she conducted microbial source tracking research. Krista is also a member of Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Yeyi Gu, outstanding senior for the Department of Food Science and Technology, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
Yeyi Gu of Suzhou, Jiangsu, China is the outstanding senior in the Department of Food Science and Technolgy. Since coming to Virginia Tech as an international exchange student from Zhejiang Gongshang University in China (and subsequently being admitted as a transfer student), Yeyi has become heavily involved in academics and extracurricular activities. Yeyi has been on the dean’s list since she enrolled in 2007, and she currently works as an assistant in the food chemistry/processing lab. Yeyi is a dedicated individual who strives to learn more about food science and technology, as shown in her efforts as a member of the award-winning Food Product Development Team. She served as undergraduate director for the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Virginia Tech. She was also a member of the Dairy Products Evaluation Team, where she finished third overall in the milk category at the collegiate contest held in Las Vegas. She has been a student volunteer at the Cranwell International Center and worked at the Dietrick Dining Center.
Jared Carter, outstanding senior for the Department of Horticulture, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
This year’s outstanding senior in the Department of Horticulture is Jared Carter of Appomattox, Va. During his time at Virginia Tech, Jared strived to gain practical experience in his major field by working as a student intern in the Hahn Horticulture Garden and as a laboratory research assistant for Dr. Richard Veilleux. As a laboratory assistant, he has done a multitude of tasks from routine plant care to DNA extraction and tissue culture. Additionally, Jared co-authored a research publication on green roofs, which he has submitted to HortTechnology, a horticulture science journal. He also dedicates his time to a variety of organizations and volunteer pursuits. He is a member of the Horticulture Club and the Pi Alpha Xi national honor society, where he is involved with several service projects including Adopt-a-Highway and Saunders Hall landscaping maintenance projects, the Pi Alpha Xi Guerilla Gardening campus beautification program, and the Big Event.
Melissa Hendricks, outstanding senior for the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, and Susan Sumner, associate dean and director of Academic Programs
A dean’s list scholar since enrolling at Virginia Tech, this year’s outstanding senior for the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Melissa Hendricks of Roanoke, Va., excels outside the classroom as well. She has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassador, co-president for the Student Dietetics Association, and public relations officer for the Fitness and Nutrition Club. Additionally, Melissa is an avid volunteer, who has spent time participating in the Big Event and Relay for Life, and working with Schiffert’s Health Education and Awareness Team. Melissa also created a 4-H after-school program for a local elementary school and organized a college-wide food drive for Montgomery County Emergency Program. Melissa is also a member of the department’s e-portfolio student team that is creating e-portfolios to track their degree progress.