Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 2, 1993 TAG: 9304020414
SECTION: FOUNDERS DAY PAGE: FD-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PRESIDENT EMERITUS LAVERY ADDS RUFFNER MEDAL TO HONORS
Director of Extension. Vice President for Finance. President. Preston Professor of International Affairs. Honorary Chancellor. President Emeritus. William E. Lavery has had many titles in his 25 year career at Virginia Tech. On Founder's Day, he receives one more: recipient of the 1993 William H. Ruffner Medal, Tech's highest honor, awarded in recognition of individuals who have performed exceptionally distinguished service on behalf of the university, the commonwealth, and the nation."I'm proud and pleased," said Lavery of this latest title. "I can't imagine a greater honor - except," he notes with a smile, "except for being chosen president of Tech."
Lavery came to Virginia Tech in 1966, with a Ph.D. in extension administration from the University of Wisconsin and a career track record as Assistant Administrator of the Federal Extension Service. Nine years and several title changes later he was appointed president of Virginia Tech, the university's twelfth president.
During Lavery's 13-year tenure, Virginia Tech evolved into one of the nation's premier land-grant and research universities. Under his leadership, the university grew and improved by virtually every measure, from the quality of faculty hired and the salaries paid them to improvements to the physical plant:
Sponsored research increased markedly, from $18 million in 1975 to $80 million in 1987;
Tech's undergraduate and graduate programs received national rankings and in 1987 Virginia Tech broke into the prestigious Top 100 National Science Foundation rankings;
An average SAT scores declined nationally, Virginia Tech's incoming freshman scores increased to nearly 200 points above the national average;
A core curriculum was established in Fine Arts and Humanities to provide all undergraduates with a solid grounding in the liberal arts;
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine was established in Blacksburg campus and the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center was established in Leesburg;
The university raised $188 million in its first capital campaign, more than double the campaign goal;
The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center was established to provide for interchange between faculty and private sector. It now provides more than 200 private sector jobs.
When Lavery stepped down as Tech president in 1988, he was appointed Preston Professor of International Affairs. For Lavery, who in 1969 served as a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) consultant to El Salvador and was appointed by President Reagan in 1986 to chair the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, his work as Preston Professor brought his career full circle - and made use of the experience and perspective he gained along the way.
As Preston Professor, a position he held from 1988 to 1991, Lavery worked to expand Tech's international programs and opportunities, including a Tech-directed reforestation project in Senegal, Africa. As chairman of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, Lavery visited Bangkok, East and West Africa, and Egypt. He served as chairman of the USAID's advisory committee to its task force on development assistance and cooperation.
Although he officially retired from the university in 1991, Lavery maintains an office on campus and remains active in identifying international opportunities for faculty and students. "It's and exciting area to be involved in. And it's nice to be able to serve the university."