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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 23, 1994                   TAG: 9408250018
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS                    PAGE: 20   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

TECH'S MAN IS NO STRANGER TO LEADERSHIP, OR COLLEGES

For 20 years, Torgersen was dean of Tech's College of Engineering, steering the school through the era of growth that so enhanced its reputation on the national academic stage. He was one of the few in such a post who traveled to Richmond to lobby for money, getting to know key politicians along the way. It was a strategy that helped not only the college, but his own career.

Torgersen has been Tech's acting president twice. The first stint came in 1988, when former president William Lavery stepped down amid pressures that stemmed from a controversial land swap and dealings in the football program. The school opted to hire from outside during the politically messy era, and Torgersen didn't get the job.

Then, a year ago, the man who did get the job stepped down. James McComas was diagnosed with cancer and died in February. Torgersen became acting president and was named to the permanent post in December.

Torgersen's first months in office were spent lobbying the General Assembly for funding, as the era of sledgehammer budget cuts eased. But it's not gone for good, and this winter will probably see the same kind of travel by the president.

He's known as an organized guy who can focus on whatever task is at hand and not become diverted. He earned a bachelor's in industrial engineering from Lehigh University and a master's and doctorate from Ohio State University.

A devoted tennis player - he drives a Mercedes with "TENNIS" plates - he and Dot, his wife of many years, have three children and six grandchildren.