Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 35 June 29, 1995 - Black Caucus recognizes faculty, staff achievements

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Black Caucus recognizes faculty, staff achievements

By Matthew Winston

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 35 - June 29, 1995

The Black Caucus of Virginia Tech recently held its first annual special recognition luncheon. The event, held in the Old Guard Room of the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center, was the caucus' first attempt to formally recognize black faculty and staff members for distinguished achievements while at Virginia Tech.

E. Wayne Harris, superintendent for the Roanoke City Public School system, was the guest speaker at the luncheon.

Faculty and staff members whose achievements fell under specific catagories received special recognition by Black Caucus President Barbara Pendergrass, who is also associate dean of students. These categories were (1) employment changes and promotions; (2) research and scholarly activities; (3) exceptional performance in university activities; (4) performance in outreach activities and those outside of their job description; and (5) professional awards and honors.

Among those recieving awards were engineering professor James Martin, who recently received tenure; recent Ph.D. recipient Delores Scott; President's Award recipient Aldora Green; and Wallace Allen, Detine Bowers, Jacqueline Eaves, Oscar Williams, and Lucinda Roy for their dedication and contribution to the Christiansburg Institute revival project.

Other recipients include Valerie Giddings and Randy Grayson for distinguished academic achievements; Carol Crawford-Smith and Don Williams for their successes in business enterprises; and Jennifer Stringer for her innovative program direction in the Office of Academic Enrichment.

The luncheon also recognized approximately 25 Black Caucus faculty and staff members who were leaving the university through the Workforce Transition Act Buyout and Individual Transition Option, or those moving on to pursue other career opportunities.