Meet our CALSAO Celebration of Ut Prosim award winners
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences honored six remarkable Hokies during its 2025 Celebration of Ut Prosim, recognizing individuals whose accomplishments and service reflect Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
Zach Jacobs ’19, Outstanding Recent Undergraduate Alumni Award
As Virginia’s deputy secretary of education, Jacobs is helping students prepare for success in a changing workforce. A first-generation college graduate, he’s worked on agricultural policy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, served as a senior congressional aide, and advocated for farmers as a senior legislative specialist with Virginia Farm Bureau. He also founded Young Alumni Committees in Richmond and Washington, D.C., building stronger connections among Hokies.
Elijah Griles ’19, M.S. ’22, Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumni Award
Griles brings Virginia agriculture to life as a video producer for Virginia Farm Bureau’s “Real Virginia” television show. He previously developed the Virginia Commodity Marketing website and launched the “CattlePulse” podcast, delivering timely market insights to more than 10,000 producers. Through his work on grant development, he helped secure nearly $1 million in USDA funding to support rural communities.
James “J.” Pearson ’87, Alumni Career Achievement Award
Pearson turned a bold idea into a global success by founding Carry-On Trailer, now the world’s largest trailer manufacturer. He currently leads Vehicle Accessories as CEO and continues to serve Virginia Tech as a professor of practice in agricultural and applied economics. A member of the Board of Visitors and the CALS Dean’s Advisory Council, Pearson and his wife, Renae ’90, have championed key university initiatives including the Corps of Cadets, Virginia Tech Athletics, and the Kohl Centre.
Thomas Debass ’97, M.S. ’00, Outstanding Alumni in the Global Community
Debass advances global economic development as managing director of the Office of Global Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State, where he has mobilized over $3.5 billion in public-private collaborations. He has also served as lead economist at the U.S. Development Finance Corporation and senior advisor at USAID. Debass teaches at Virginia Tech and George Washington University and founded several nonprofit initiatives.
Eugene “Kip” Connelly, Honorary Alumnus
A longtime supporter of Virginia Tech’s turfgrass programs, Connelly has helped advance the green industry through business leadership and philanthropy. As president of W.S. Connelly & Co., he expanded the family business into a regional powerhouse and co-founded PRIMERA, a national cooperative. His family’s support includes scholarships, the “Calling Dr. Turf” video series, and the W.S. Connelly & Co Innovative Research Contest that helps students share their work with more than 1,000 industry professionals each year.
George Norton, CALS Hall of Fame Inductee
Over his 40-year career at Virginia Tech, Norton — professor emeritus of agricultural and applied economics — helped shape international pest management programs that improved farmer livelihoods in more than 30 countries. As lead architect of a USAID-funded program, he coordinated over 160 scientists and 200 graduate students across four continents, generating $2 billion in global benefits. A dedicated teacher and mentor, he taught more than 2,500 students, guided 80 graduate students, and co-authored Science Under Scarcity, a foundational text in the field.
Want to nominate a future honoree? Visit cals.vt.edu/alumni.
