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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1995                   TAG: 9505030027
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-13   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AROUND NEW RIVER

Beverly Sgro, former dean of students at Virginia Tech, returns to Blacksburg May 13 to deliver the university's commencement address.

Sgro is the state's secretary of education, appointed by Gov. George Allen at the outset of his administration.

"Since Dr. Sgro has worked so closely with so many students, we thought it appropriate that she address 'her' students and wish them well on their way into their chosen careers," Virginia Tech president Paul Torgersen said in a written statement.

About 4,000 graduate and undergraduate students are slated to receive diplomas at the commencement ceremony, which starts at 9 a.m. at Lane Stadium. In case of rain, the event will be moved into Cassell Coliseum.

Sgro earned her master's and Ph.D. degrees at Tech. Husband Joe is on the faculty and heads the psychology department, while son Anthony, an Allen adviser, earned both undergraduate and master's degrees at Virginia Tech.

Torgersen called the Sgros "a wonderful example of the success of higher education in changing people's lives."

"I guess you could say they are a higher education family," he said.

Community awards

CHRISTIANSBURG - The New River Community Action will present awards to two outstanding individuals at the agency's 30th anniversary celebration at Bissett Park in Radford on Thursday, May 18. Application deadline for the awards is Friday at 5 p.m.

The Rev. George L. Ducker Memorial Scholarship Award will be presented to a low-income graduating high school senior who will enter college in fall 1995.

The Philip M. Sadler Memorial Community Service Award will be presented to a citizen for outstanding service to a local community.

Ducker of Radford and Sadler of Pulaski were volunteers and supporters of the New River Community Action. They died in 1994.

Application for the awards can be obtained by calling Sheila West or Terry Smusz at one of the following numbers: 382-6186, 674-8491, 745-4957 or 921-3375. Nominees must be residents of one of the following jurisdictions: Radford or the counties of Pulaski, Montgomery, Giles or Floyd.