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Spencer named Pamplin's Distinguished Alumnus

By Sookhan Ho

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 28 - April 17, 1997

Ann Spencer, former associate vice president for personnel and administrative services at Virginia Tech, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Pamplin College of Business at Commencement this spring.

Spencer (ACCT '76, MBA '84) will be the eighth recipient of the annual award. Previous recipients were Henry Dekker, Cliff Cutchins, John Peterson, George Dickerson, Lloyd Sorenson, John Rocovich, and Charles Eaton.

The award presentation is an important part of the college's Commencement ceremony, says Pamplin Dean Richard E. Sorensen. "It provides an example to our graduating students of the outstanding leadership and accomplishments that our alumni have achieved. It serves as an inspiration for our students' future activities."

Spencer's selection, he says, reflected the college's appreciation for her many contributions to the college and to the university. Spencer, who joined Virginia Tech in 1979, left the university in early April for personal and health reasons.

Before she was appointed associate vice president, Spencer was assistant vice president for administrative affairs, assistant to the vice president for finance, and a research administrative officer. She is credited with establishing the Leadership Development Program, a university-wide developmental and education program for all university employees emphasizing leadership opportunities, team concepts, and continuous process improvement. During her tenure, she reorganized personnel services around customer-service modules, brought an employee wellness program to the university, and is responsible for the installation of the first comprehensive human-resource system.

Spencer has participated actively in regional and national professional associations and in community affairs. She has served on the board of directors and on numerous committees for the national and Eastern associations of college and university business officers. Locally, she has served on the boards of Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital, the United Way of Montgomery County, the Christiansburg-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia Skyline Girl Scout Council.

Spencer received Virginia Tech's Outstanding Young Alumna Award in 1983.