FRALIN TO BE HONORED WITH BUILDING

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 16, 1993                   TAG: 9302160209
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Short
FRALIN TO BE HONORED WITH BUILDING
Horace Fralin, a Roanoke developer who died last month at age 66, attended only one or two meetings as a member of Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors. But he cared deeply for the university, Tech administrators said Monday.
They described him as a longtime benefactor, a distinguished alumnus and a civic leader. And so it seemed only fitting that the board name its next major project, a center for biotechnology, after him.
Construction has not yet begun on the center, which will bring together molecular biologists, microbiologists and other scientists to do research and advanced training.
Fralin was closely allied with many university advancement projects for more than four decades after he graduated in 1946.
He helped lead the effort to restore the Hotel Roanoke and he continually shared his expertise with the university in varying roles such as president of the Virginia Tech Foundation, chairman of the foundation's investment committee, College of Engineering Advisory Board and more.
He has received the 1992 Ruffner Medal, Tech's most prestigious award for distinguished service.
"Etching his name on the university edifice ensures his contributions will be known in perpetuity," said Tech President James McComas.
The board also had adopted a resolution honoring Fralin earlier in the meeting.
"We were from different political parties so we didn't always agree," said Board member Pat Jennings. "But I've never known him to do anything but what he thought was right."

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB