2018-19 Alumni Award Recipients

Dwight Houff inducted into the Hall of Fame by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization

Dwight has been involved in agriculture since his youth. He grew up on a small farm in the Shenandoah Valley where he was active in the FFA. After studying agriculture education at Virginia Tech, Dwight taught Vocational Agriculture at Cumberland County High School before joining the family trucking business, Houff Transfer, Inc., in 1962.

Even as his career was in the trucking business, Dwight remained incredibly active in the agriculture industry. For over a 55-year period, Dwight has managed his purebred beef cattle operation, Holly Hill Farm, producing Polled Herefords, Gelbvieh and Angus seedstock. Dwight has held several leadership positions throughout the beef industry and is credited for founding the Virginia Beef Expo and pioneering the Beef Expo’s commercial bred heifer sale. In 2016, Dwight was inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame.

Through over 60 years in the purebred beef business, support of high school agriculture and FFA programs, and generosity to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, including establishment of multiple undergraduate scholarships and support of the Virginia Agricultural Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) program, Dwight has made a tremendous difference to the future of agriculture. Dwight and his wife Carolyn are Distinguished Benefactors in Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim Society.

Lynn Ann Smith

Lynn Ann Smith named Outstanding Recent Undergraduate Alumna by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization

Lynn Ann Smith of Forest, Virginia was named the Outstanding Recent Undergraduate Alumna of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the annual Celebration of Ut Prosim hosted by the CALS Alumni Organization. Lynn received bachelor of science degrees in Food Science and Technology and Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise in 2008 and a master of science in Food Science and Technology in 2010.

Lynn Ann began her career as a Food Safety Specialist with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services then moved to the Virginia Department of Health as an Environmental Health Specialist.

She works with a variety of food facilities helping them to comply with food regulations, produce or serve safe food and maintain successful businesses.  This work contributes to the wellbeing of Virginia Consumers and to the strength of the Commonwealth’s economy.

Lynn Ann has also served in a number of leadership roles including the Virginia Department of Health State hotel and pool working groups, Central Atlantic States Association for Food and Drug Officials, and the Virginia Food Safety Taskforce.
Since 2016, Lynn Ann has served on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization Board of Directors.

Daniel Frank

Daniel Frank named Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumnus by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization

Daniel Frank of Morgantown, West Virginia, a 2009 doctoral graduate of Entomology was named the Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumnus of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the annual Celebration of Ut Prosim hosted by the CALS Alumni Organization.

After serving as a post-doc for two years at USDA-ARS in the Plant Genetics Research Unit in Colombia, Missouri, Daniel joined West Virginia University as an Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor in 2012. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure this year. He is also the Director of Pesticide Safety Education for the state of West Virginia.

Daniel is responsible for Extension and statewide leadership in identification, detection, and management of arthropods for all commodities. He has produced 15 peer-reviewed publications (plus two in review), two book chapters, 11 technical publications, 73 Extension papers, 85 Extension presentations, and over $500,000 in grant support.

Wayne Pryor

Wayne Pryor recognized with Honorary Alumni Award from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization

Wayne Pryor of Richmond, Virginia was recognized with the Honorary Alumni Award of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the annual Celebration of Ut Prosim hosted by the CALS Alumni Organization.

Mr. Pryor is a Goochland County farmer, President of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and a tireless advocate for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

In addition to running his own farm operation, Pryoville Farms, Wayne devotes countless hours to educating Virginia farmers and others in the industry, partnering with academic institutions that support agricultural research and development, and supporting outreach initiatives that benefit Virginia’s agricultural ecosystem. In short, he understands the Land Grant mission on which Virginia Tech was founded.

Mr. Pryor understands the importance of Virginia Tech to the success of Virginia’s largest industry (agriculture and forestry) and he promotes the importance of the college to many audiences throughout Virginia and elsewhere on a routine basis.

He has led yearly agriculture industry meetings with Virginia Tech’s President and Provost and has led Virginia Farm Bureau’s efforts to support Virginia Tech’s budgets in the General Assembly, as well as efforts to support Virginia Tech’s capital improvement budgets.

Kevin Boyle

Kevin Boyle recognized with Faculty Alumni Engagement Award from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization

Kevin Boyle of Staunton, Virginia, was recognized with the Faculty Alumni Engagement Award of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the annual Celebration of Ut Prosim hosted by the CALS Alumni Organization.

A faculty member since fall 2005, Dr. Boyle served as Department Head and Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics from 2005-2012 and Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Director of the Program in Real Estate since 2013.

During his time at Virginia Tech, Kevin has creatively woven alumni commitments into integrated support for Virginia Tech’s tri-part Land-Grant missions of teaching, research, and extension.  His engagement with alumni has led to a professor of practice position that grew into the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade; to an endowed professorship to support the development and growth of The Center for Agricultural Trade; to the development of COINS (Commodities Investing by Students); and to the establishment of the Kohl Agribusiness Centre and Kohl Junior Faculty Fellow; and to establish the five-college  interdisciplinary Program in Real Estate.  Dr. Boyle has greatly enhanced programming that will benefit current and future Hokies and current and future faculty members for decades to come.

Casey Warter

Casey Warter recognized as Outstanding Ambassador by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Organization

Casey Warter, a 2019 graduate of Animal and Poultry Sciences, was named the Outstanding Ambassador of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the annual Celebration of Ut Prosim hosted by the CALS Alumni Organization.

During her time as an ambassador, Casey represented the college in numerous capacities including new student recruitment initiatives, current student engagement, and by contributing to CALS Advancement’s alumni and donor stewardship communications.

Casey loves to share her pride and passion for Virginia Tech with others and attributes her success as an undergraduate to the welcoming and supportive community that our college fosters.