Tag Archives: faculty

From the Dean – May 2015

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Insights Editor
Alan Grant, dean

Alan Grant, dean

Dear Colleagues,

A number of our outstanding faculty and staff members were recently recognized for their many years at Virginia Tech at the 2014 Annual Service Recognition Program. Among those were Brenda Caldwell, who has been with the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences for 50 years; Patsy Neice in the Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science, who has been with the university for 40 years; and Wendy Wark in the Department of Dairy Science, who has been with the university for 40 years. We thank everyone who was recognized at the program for their hard work and dedication over all these years.

We are also proud of our many faculty and staff members who were recognized in this year’s university Awards for Excellence.

  • Frenda Wall Haynie, undergraduate student advisor and program coordinator for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, received the university’s Provost’s Award for Excellence in Advising.
  • Ruth H. Lytton, professor of agricultural and applied economics and director of the financial planning program at Virginia Tech, was presented with the university’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising.
  • Martha A. Walker of Ringgold, Virginia, community viability specialist for the Central District Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, has received Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension.
  • Jennifer Bowen of Farmville, Virginia, senior Extension agent in 4-H youth development and unit coordinator for Prince Edward County, Virginia, received Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension.

A number of our students also received some well-deserved accolades recently:

Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent faculty, staff, and student award recipients

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Insights Editor

Congratulations to all of our recent award winners! We are so proud of our many faculty and staff members who were recognized in this year’s university Awards for Excellence.

  • Frenda Wall Haynie, undergraduate student advisor and program coordinator for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, received the university’s Provost’s Award for Excellence in Advising.
  • Ruth H. Lytton, professor of agricultural and applied economics and director of the financial planning program at Virginia Tech, was presented with the university’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising.
  • Martha A. Walker of Ringgold, Virginia, community viability specialist for the Central District Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, has received Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension.
  • Jennifer Bowen of Farmville, Virginia, senior Extension agent in 4-H youth development and unit coordinator for Prince Edward County, Virginia, received Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension.

We’d also like to congratulate some of our students for their recent awards!

  • Jessica K. Li of Martinsville, Virginia, a senior with dual degrees in human, nutrition, foods, and exercise and biological sciences has been selected as the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Student of the Year. She is also minoring in chemistry.
  • Hope Wentzel of Alexandria, Virginia, was presented with the college’s Outstanding Senior Award. Hope is completing a bachelor’s degree in animal and poultry sciences with a minor in forestry.
  • Sarah R. McCoski of Amsterdam, N.Y., was named the college’s outstanding master’s degree student. McCoski is earning her M.S. in animal and poultry sciences.
  • Phoebe Williams of Charlottesville, Virginia, was named the college’s outstanding doctoral student. She is earning her Ph.D. in biochemistry.

Congratulations to all on their accomplishments!

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent hires

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Insights Editor

CALS New Hires

(between Nov. 10 and Dec. 24, 2014)
Name Job Title Hire Date Organization
Description

CALS Faculty
Hanlon, Regina Research Associate 11/10/14 Plant Pathology,
Phys., and
Weed Science
Jia, Xiaoyan Postdoctoral
Associate		 11/25/14 Plant Pathology,
Phys., and
Weed Science

CALS Staff
Shewchuk, Lucinda K. Program Admin Specialist-Obesity Center 11/17/14 Human Nutrition, Foods & Exercise
Hoskins, Tyler C. Research
Specialist Sr.		 11/17/14 Plant Pathology,
Phys., and
Weed Science
Branisteanu, Dumitru Field Research Tech 12/01/14 Biological Systems Engineering

Extension Faculty
Slack, Suzanne M. Assoc.
Extension
Agent, ANR		 11/10/14 Carroll Coop Extension Service
Opoku, Joseph Research Associate 11/10/14 Tidewater
AREC
White, LaSonya S. Assoc.
Extension Agent 4H Youth Development		 12/10/14 Sussex Coop
Extension Service
Jones, Robert T. Assoc.
Extension
Agent, ANR		 12/10/14 Northumberland Coop
Extension Service
Lillard, Clare K. Assoc.
Extension
Agent, FCS		 11/10/14 Orange Coop
Extension Service
Nauta, Ashley M. Assoc.
Extension
Agent, ANR		 12/10/14 Halifax Coop
Extension Service

Extension Staff
Slye, Bradley W. Asst. Farm Manager 11/10/14 Tidewater AREC
Smith, Miranda V. EFNEP/SCNEP Program Support Tech 11/25/14 Newport News Coop
Extension Service
Cubbage, Geraldine H. District FNP Program Support Tech 11/10/14 Northern District Office
Harrison, Holton W. Agricultural
Specialist		 12/01/14 Southern Piedmont
AREC
Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Vinatzer’s revolutionary naming system on EurekAlert’s most trafficked releases of 2014

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Insights Editor

As 2014 came to a close, EurekAlert! announced their top 10 most trafficked news releases that appeared on their site in the last twelve months. One of our college’s news releases about Boris Vinatzer, Virginia Tech scientist proposes revolutionary naming system for all life on Earth, posted on Feb. 21, 2014, was number three on the list!

EurekAlert! is an online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society. EurekAlert! provides a searchable database through which universities, medical centers, journals, government agencies, corporations, and other organizations engaged in research can bring their news to the media.

Congratulations to all involved!

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Save the date: Hutcheson Holiday Hall Party on Dec. 17

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Insights Editor

Mark your calendars for the Hutcheson Holiday Hall Party on Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

We will be collecting for Toys for Tots and Micah’s Backpack. The items requested for the backpack are chicken noodle soup (10.75 oz. or smaller; pop-top cans if possible) and granola bars. The items will be collected in the Dean’s office from now until Dec. 17.

Please let me know if you have questions.

— Sheila Norman

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Thank you and call for representatives from CALSSA

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Insights Editor

Thanks to everyone who made our FRUIT Drive for the Montgomery County Christmas Store a success!

Also, CALS Staff Association does not have a department representative from the following departments:  Dairy Science, Agricultural Technology, Agriculture and Extension Education, and Agriculture Leadership and Community Education. If you would like to become a member of CALSSA and serve as a representative for your department please contact Sophia Leedy.

 

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Recent hires

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Insights Editor

CALS New Hires

(between Oct. 10 and Nov. 9, 2014)
Name Job Title Hire Date Organization
Description

CALS Faculty
Kaya Celiker, Hande Postdoctoral
Associate CY		 10/25/14 Biological Systems Engineering
Mitchem, Charles E. Watershed
Asses. Analyst		 10/25/14 Biological Systems Engineering
Sheng, Jiayuan Postdoctoral
Associate CY		 10/13/14 Biological Systems Engineering
Kim, Gunjune Postdoctoral
Associate CY		 11/01/14 Plant Pathology,
Phys., and
Weed Science

CALS Staff
Webb, Jennifer M. Office
Assistant		 11/03/14 Animal and
Poultry Sciences
Shen, Zhengxing Research
Specialist		 10/15/14 Animal and
Poultry Sciences
Mckenzie, William Graphic Designer 10/25/14 Communications and Marketing

Extension Faculty
Elliott, Alyssa L. Assoc.
Extension
Agent, ANR		 10/21/14 Amherst Coop
Extension Service
Strawn, Laura K. Asst. Professor 10/10/14 Eastern Shore
AREC

Extension Staff
Terry, Amanda K. FNPA Asst.,
Carroll		 10/25/14 Carroll Coop
Extension Service
Dutrow, Amelia FNPA Asst.,
Fairfax		 10/25/14 Fairfax Coop
Extension Service
Helm, Angela H. Adult EFNEP
Program Asst.		 10/25/14 Montgomery Coop
Extension Service
Wenn, George A. Laboratory
Specialist		 10/10/14 Virginia Seafood
AREC
Costa, Kimberly S. FNPA 10/25/14 Frederick Coop
Extension Service
Squadrito, Alex L. Research
Specialist		 10/10/14 Virginia Seafood
AREC
Tiller, Tonya K. Educational
Support Spec.		 10/25/14 Dickenson Coop
Extension Service
Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

2014-2015 staff performance planning

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

By now, your 2013 Staff Performance Evaluations are complete. While navigation of the online tool is fresh in your memory, it is best to get a plan set for the coming review year. Within 30 days after evaluations are received by employees, a new performance plan for the following year (2014-15) should be established between the supervisor and employee (State Policy). The performance plan is established at the beginning of the year-long performance review cycle, generally in late October or early November after evaluations from the previous review year have been completed. Supervisors provide coaching and feedback to employees throughout the cycle, and finally, evaluations are completed the following October.

An employee’s duties and responsibilities are contained in both an employee’s position description and the Performance Plan. The position description is found in PeopleAdmin, and is a summary of the role, describes all of the responsibilities of the employee in the position, provides a comprehensive look at the position duties and purpose, and is the primary document used for recruiting for the position. The Performance Plan, which is found in HokieSpa, lists goals and metrics specific to the current plan year and includes competencies and career development items. Before developing a Performance Plan, please review your employee’s position description to ensure that it is still an accurate reflection of the purpose and duties of the position.

Detailed instructions are available for completing the Performance Planning process and navigating the system on the Performance Planning Checklist. These instructions include planning for new employees, for existing employees, and for rolling plans from last year to this year. Instructions may be found on the VCE Intranet under Personnel, or on the new CALS HR website.

Please continue to let April Wood know if you encounter system problems and we will remedy them. If you have any questions regarding administration of the performance planning/evaluation process, contact April Wood at 540-231-3003.

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CALS Fall Kickoff and Ice Cream Social, Sept. 3

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

You are invited to the CALS Fall Semester Kickoff & Ice Cream Social for all CALS students, faculty, and staff!

  • When: Wednesday, Sept. 3
  • Time: 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Where: Ag Quad (behind Price Hall)

All CALS faculty/staff/student organizations interested in having an information table at the picnic need to reserve one by Monday, Sept. 1 by completing this survey.

Tables will be set up and ready for club displays at 3:30 p.m. The ice cream and fruit salad will be catered by Hethwood Market.

Don’t forget blankets or chairs for seating!

More information can be found online.  If you have any questions about the event, contact Jamie Lucero-Cowell at 540-231-9666.

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Call for exhibits for CALS Homecoming Tailgate on Sept. 20

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

The CALS Fall Fest Homecoming Tailgate is Saturday, Sept. 20, when Virginia Tech plays Georgia Tech.

I would like to invite all departments and units in the college to participate in CALS Homecoming by setting up an exhibit to showcase the good work going on in your programs. Several industries will be representing Virginia agriculture.

  • Parking will be available at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Teaching Arena at 601 Plantation Road.
  • We will provide transportation for you and your display items between parking and the tailgate location both before and after the game. The shuttles will run starting five hours before kickoff and shortly following the end of the game until everyone is taken care of.
  • For on-campus groups, you may drop off your display items in the Litton Reaves Student Lounge on Friday afternoon by 5 p.m. Items can be stored in the lounge during the game but need to be picked up following the end of the game.
  • Please check in at the registration table when you arrive to pick up nametag(s), meal ticket(s), game ticket(s), etc.
  • I will provide an eight-foot table and chair(s). Tables will be labeled with your department’s name. If you require any special setup accommodations, just let me know.
  • The tailgate will be open to our guests starting three hours before kickoff.
  • Plan for 150-200 people to visit your booth.

All current faculty, staff, and students are free but must register online. Game tickets are still available for $50 each. Online registration will close on Sept. 12.

Please let me know if your department or unit is interested in participating with an exhibit by emailing me by September 12. Thank you to those who have already responded.

Hope to have many of you join us.

— Jamie Lucero-Cowell
jlucero@vt.edu

Share
Posted in Past Issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment