Spring 2023 Senior Awards

This award honors a CALS graduate, Madelynn Todd, who blazed new and impactful trails while attending Virginia Tech. This award is in honor for her tremendous strides in the areas of access and inclusion across campus. This award is to recognize a graduating senior who has demonstrated an outstanding example of "blazing a new trail" for the next generation at Virginia Tech. Trailblazing efforts can be in the areas of academics, community building, global initiatives, access and affordability, diversity and inclusion, or service. 

This year’s award recipient is Sara Gallegos from the Department of Biochemistry. Sara submitted a self-nomination for this award and described her trailblazing efforts in access and inclusion for minority students in the STEM fields. Sara writes “as a first-generation female student in a STEM major, I make it a priority to encourage and assure minority students that they are not alone. Since arriving at Virginia Tech, Sara has engaged in leadership experiences that have not only benefited herself, but also her community. Sara says, “I am determined to uphold and advocate for the minority community within higher education. Not only did my background as a first-generation student make it challenging to apply for colleges, but it was also a greater challenge to be a minority female pursuing a STEM degree.” Sara was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) student fellowship, in which she represented minorities within the Biochemistry department. As a student fellow, Sara expressed how the university could advocate for more diversity, equity, and inclusion practices within the STEM fields. Sara also attended student-led panels to address access concerns within the college, and she has appreciated the opportunity to be an advocate for change. Sara is proud to be a representative for her community, and hopes to engage in more leadership opportunities for further improvements. She is truly a trailblazer.

The "CALS Outstanding Mentor Award” recognizes  outstanding graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in mentoring. Relevant mentoring includes encouraging, nurturing, teaching, responding to students’ needs, and/ or offering respect and support. The contributions occur within the capacity of teaching, research, creative activities, service, and/or outreach. 

Zack Morris  is from the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education. According to Zack’s nominator, “Zack has constantly sought out and accepted roles that allowed him to actively mentor and invest in others. Zack quickly assumed an informal peer leadership role in his LDRS 2014 course and went above and beyond the typical engagement of a student. Throughout Zack’s two semesters of helping with this course, he has greatly contributed to the personal development of eight other undergraduate students, as well as the classroom culture. Outside of the classroom, Zack is an exceptional leader within Alpha Tau Alpha, a National Professional Honorary Agricultural Education Organization. He coordinates meetings, recruits new members, builds relationships with younger students, and actively participates in events on campus and beyond. Zack is also actively involved with the Giles County FFA chapter, which further demonstrates his commitment to mentoring both his peers and the next generation.” 

Marley McCartney  is from the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. According to Marley’s nominator, “she has been integral in her role as a HNFE Peer Mentor. Marley was selected to be one of the Head Peer Mentors which allowed her to lead three other departmental mentors, while also being responsible for own group of mentees. She went above and beyond her role by being available for her group of students. Whether they just needed someone to talk to, figure out how to bring their chemistry grade up, or discuss their doubts about the major. Her peers value the help and support that she has provided for them during their transition to college. Her leadership and willingness to serve others translate to her other roles in various organizations on campus, which include the Class of 2023 Secretary, the Director of Internal Affairs for the Student Alumni Associates, as well as the 2023 Senior Class Gift Co-Chair. Marley has truly made a difference in the HNFE department and the college.” 

The “Outstanding CALS Ambassador Award” recognizes a graduating senior who has served the college as a student ambassador. Awardees have demonstrated consistent responsibility, compassion, enthusiasm, and service during their time as students in the college while continuing to grow and excel in other areas of their undergraduate careers.

Bailey Marshall, majoring in Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Communications in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, has brought an incomparable level of enthusiasm to her role as a CALS Ambassador. Born and raised in Virginia and around agriculture, Bailey shines in interacting with prospective and current students, drawing on her wealth of experiences in her department, in her colleges, across the university, and outside of the classroom. Bailey builds connections with students before they get to campus and again in their first semester, serving as a First-Year Experience Peer Mentor for her departmental class. Bailey has accomplished much in her time at Virginia Tech, as a member of multiple social, philanthropical, and academic organizations. She has truly grown to become a phenomenal representative of the college and most importantly, herself. 

Madison Norris, an Environmental Science major in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Wetland Science, has likewise made an immeasurable impact in her role as a CALS Ambassador. After arriving at Virginia Tech from San Antonio, Texas as an English major, Madison quickly found her way to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where she dove headfirst into the CALS Ambassador program as well as other college-wide initiatives such an on-campus wastewater monitoring internship, the Soil Judging Team, Students for Cultivating Change, and also serving as a First-Year Experience Peer Mentor for the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Madison spent many hours over Zoom meeting one-on-one with future Hokies. Her unique experiences here at Virginia Tech have comforted, inspired, and prepared new CALS students for the challenges they would face and the resilience that they are capable of. Madison will be sorely missed as a strong communicator and a leader in our program and within the college. 

 The “CALS Undergraduate Research Award” honors seniors who exemplifies excellence in research. This award is based upon the involvement in long-term research projects, participation in conferences, published research papers, displayed leadership within the research environment, and unique contributions to their field of study.

James Mullet is from the Department of Biochemistry. According to James’s nominator, “he is an accomplished undergraduate researcher.” James has worked within the Edwards, Yang, Vikesland, Zhang and Prudent Lab. Within this hybrid lab, James worked on metagenomics and mobile genetic elements. He has contributed greatly to these fields during his time as an undergraduate researcher. With his undergraduate research, James has already published a study within the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. With this research, James also helped design, MobileOg-db, a Manually Curated Database of Protein Families. Since the creation of the database, over a thousand uses have been recorded. Needless to say, James has been very accomplished already in his research work. 

Dana Dougherty is from the School of Animal Sciences and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Dana has worked in multiple research labs within the School of Animal Sciences. In Dr. Rhoads lab, Dana is currently working on a live trial feeding phytonutrients to pigs is hopes of improvement in muscle growth. She has been a vital part in recruiting undergrads to work in this lab as well as assisting the principal researchers. As well, Dana has worked with the Poultry Nutrition lab where she worked heavily with graduate students, focusing on different levels of phosphorus in pullet feed. After discovering her love of research, Dana signed up to work on Dr. Corl's and Dr. Daniel's heat stress live experiments in dairy cows. From these experiments, further research has been initiated on mammary tissues and the effects from heat stress. Dana has also worked part time at the Virginia Tech Swine Center where she oversees the production side of Dr. Gerrard's pigs. She is a vital resource in all of these labs and she will be continuing her research and studies in the School of Animal Sciences master's program. After her master's, Dana is interested in joining the Peace Corps, and then maybe obtaining her doctorate.  

Transfer students have unique challenges when continuing their education at Virginia Tech. The “CALS Outstanding Transfer Student Award” is to honor a graduating seniors who transferred into one of our college’s four-year programs and made the most of their time. The recipients demonstrated strong involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs/organizations, community service, leadership/mentoring, and/or research.

Mia Bostic is from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Mia transferred to Virginia Tech in the midst of COVID. She immediately worked to integrate herself within the Ag Econ department, taking on extracurricular activities and important leadership roles, all while working a part-time job and maintaining a stellar 3.95 GPA. As the President of the Virginia Tech Transfer Mentor Program, she created and implemented an activity program to foster connectedness for transfer students. Mia also served as an Undergraduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant for the department. Additionally, Mia served as a departmental Ambassador in which she has been an exceptional representative at events for prospective students as well as a role model for incoming freshmen. According to one of Mia’s nominators, “her enthusiasm is contagious, and she has a unique ability to explain complex concepts in a simplified and approachable manner. She takes time to help other transfer students adjust. She is a shoulder to lean on, a friend to learn from, and a person who will definitely make an impact on this world. 

Sara Beth Davidson is from the Department of Food Science and Technology. According to Sara Beth’s nominator, “she has truly made the most out of her brief time at Virginia Tech. As a student who transferred into the FST major from Wytheville Community College, Sara Beth hit the ground running and quickly became involved in her department through the Food Science Club and the Food Innovations Lab. At the college level, Sara Beth was a valuable and reliable CALS Ambassador. Sara Beth also completed and dove deep into our university’s land-grant mission by interning with the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Sara Beth’s commitment to service truly embodies the Virginia Tech motto Ut Prosim, and her successes and contributions as a student set her apart as an outstanding transfer student in our college.” 

The “CALS Ut Prosim Award" is to honor an outstanding senior who has made a significant contribution to the Virginia Tech and surrounding Blacksburg community through their time, actions, talents and dedication (outside any volunteer work done for their employer). The honoree serves as a role model for compassion, service and leadership.

This year, we recognize Eric Truong, from the Department of Biochemistry with our Ut Prosim award. Eric received multiple nominations for this award. According to his nominators, “Eric is an incredibly dedicated student, volunteer, mentor, and teaching assistant. He is heavily involved both within Biochemistry and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a peer mentor and a college ambassador. Outside of school, Eric serves as a leader for the Mid-Atlantic Union of Vietnamese Student Associations where he has coordinated conferences and provided a space dedicated to Vietnamese culture. As a director, Eric has spent approximately 600 hours dedicated to this position over the past several months. In addition, Eric serves as a Co-President of American Sign Language Club. This club serves to inform students and raise awareness about the deaf culture and appropriate etiquette. Eric has thoroughly enjoyed his time in this club and improving his sign language. On top of this, Eric also serves as a Red Cross Ambassador. Eric truly exemplifies our motto of Ut Prosim. 

This “CALS Comeback Award”  recognizes a graduating senior who has overcome adversity - whether academically, personally, emotionally, and/or physically. This award is to honor this senior who has demonstrated tremendous grit and perseverance.

This year’s award recipient is Samantha Soule from the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. Samantha, a first-generation student, has had her fair share of challenges in college. Samantha has faced not only financial difficulties to pursue a bachelor's degree but also academic challenges. Her first semester in college was taxing, and it showed on her transcript with a subpar GPA. This placed her on probation within her home department. Given these circumstances, it wouldn't have surprised her nominator if she had decided to leave Virginia Tech; but instead she held on. Samantha persevered through her challenges while balancing her extracurriculars and classes. She focused on her own academics and personal wellness. She took care of herself and pushed forward. Each semester, she became more involved with extracurriculars such as the Student Alumni Associates, the Sports Medicine Club, and Phi Sigma. Within these clubs, Samantha has sought leadership positions including serving as the Director of Communications for the Student Alumni Associates and working as a full-time student athletic training aide with the Sports Medicine Club. Samantha has made substantial efforts to succeed at Virginia Tech and never gave up on her dream of graduating. She is truly an example of a CALS Comeback! 

This award was created to honor a non-traditional graduating senior. Whether starting their education later in life or coming back to college after an extended break, this award celebrates those students who never gave up on their educational dreams. For this award, nominees must have qualified in one of the following areas::

• Supporting a child,
• Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
• or over 24 years of age. 

Jordan Long is from the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Jordan submitted a self-nomination for this award. In her words, “what she has accomplished in her two short years at VT should be celebrated.” Jordan graduated from high school with really no GPA. As a disinterested student, she had no direction. She struggled at community college after her family begged her to go, and quickly failed. Demoralized and desperate, she worked odd jobs. After years of this, she decided to go out on a limb, and apply for a position at a local family farm. She fell head over heels in love with growing food, and eventually started her own farm to table operation in Loudoun County, VA. According to Jordan, “the academic credentials were limiting her growth.” She found her way to NOVA Community College’s Horticulture program - eight years after graduating high school. This program opened her eyes. Her previous GPA went from a 1.2 to a 4.0 in two semesters. Two years of taking part time classes and working 40 + hours a week, Jordan earned her associate’s degree in Horticulture Technology. Then, she set her eyes on Virginia Tech. Fast forward to her first week at Tech, in the landscape design classroom, with professor Scott Douglas. She stayed after class and forced him to read her resume. He agreed to give her a job even though it was rare for a student to secure a spot so late in the season. Her first semester at VT was pure magic. Since her start, Jordan has excelled in her studies, making the Dean’s list 2 consecutive semesters and hoping for the 3^rd one! Despite the age gap, she has established and maintained relationships with her classmates and organized study sessions. She is no longer the unconfident student or uneducated gardener. She is going to be a first-generation college graduate.

The Diversity and Inclusion Service Award within CALS was established in 2006 to recognize the outstanding diversity accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students. Award recipients will have demonstrated a thorough understanding of, appreciation for, and advocacy of diversity issues. Successful nominees will have taken a leadership role at the university, college, unit, department, or district level to improve the academic or broader community's quality of life and service. Nominees for the award should exemplify excellence in advancing the college's mission of promoting diversity and inclusion in the college.  In 2013, separate categories were created for faculty, staff, and students.

In 2016, the  service award for students was named the Randolph L. Grayson Outstanding CALS Diversity Scholar Award in honor of Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science, Dr. Randolph Grayson.  For over three decades Dr. Grayson  fostered "a welcoming climate for all underrepresented groups at Virginia Tech and has had the vision and drive to initiate and implement effective programs to bring that vision to reality. It is hard to discuss the history of diversity and inclusion at virginia Tech without acknowledging the tremendous efforts of Dr. Grayson.” comments from Saied Mostahimi, associate dean for research and graduate studies and director of Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station.

This year’s recipient is Khadeejat Lawal a graduating senior in the Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise department. Khadeejat was nominated by Ms. Kimberly Clark, Director of the Black Cultural Center (BCC) here on campus. Her nominator writes, “As a first-generation American, Khajeejat has seen firsthand how access can be limited in many spheres, and works in every setting she is in to ensure that the playing field is level for all. As the current Vice President of the Black Organizations Council, she hosted a successful BOC town hall event where she facilitated a public discussion forum to address Black community concerns.  She is also a member of the Student Advisory Council for the Cultural Community Centers, which allows her to support students of various backgrounds through programming and awareness efforts.  Those backgrounds include but are not limited to Hispanic/LatinX, Asian, Native American, and LBTQ+ identities. Her nominator goes on to state that Khadeejat is an exemplary student who embodies compassion for others and works to ensure those around her are afforded the best possible abilities and resources to succeed. 

The “CALS Outstanding Club Leadership Award” is to recognize a graduating senior who has served in a leadership role within a college affiliated club or organization. The graduating senior should demonstrate outstanding leadership, mentoring, programming, and/or community service.

This year’s recipient is Bernie Frantz from the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Bernie was nominated by a fellow member of the Virginia Tech Soil Judging Team. His nominator writes “Bernie became the President of the Soil Judging Club during the pandemic, when there were less than 10 members. During this time, he organized group activities despite the physical limitations. Under his leadership, the team placed first during the virtual national contest. After COVID, he heavily recruited students from all majors at Gobblerfest, Hokie Hello, and classroom visits. The club’s membership soared to over 30 active members. After he recruited all of these new members, he made sure to foster an environment where everyone felt welcomed. As a freshman, I felt intimidated by all the older members who seemed to know everything. But, when I was paired up with Bernie during my first practice, I felt at ease as he explained how soil judging worked. I believe Bernie's strong leadership skills contributed to our success last school year at the Regional and National contests where we placed first as a team. Bernie’s hard work and dedication has raised awareness about soil judging throughout campus, with numerous news publications and stories. Bernie is an incredible role model to any club leader."