Board of Visitors names 2007-08 student representatives

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors named Brennan Shepard as its graduate student representative and Ryan C. Smith as its undergraduate student representative for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Two student representatives are appointed to one-year terms. Each sit on a committee of the governing board and serve as ex-officio members on the Commission of Student Affairs. Student representatives are non-voting members and are required to maintain contact with university faculty and administrators, the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost, as well as Virginia Tech students.

Shepard, a native of Roanoke, Va., and Smith, a native of Farmville, Va., will communicate student issues and perspectives to the board, report to student body, and serve on task force and search committees.

Shepard is a MBA student in the Pamplin College of Business, with a concentration in organizational leadership. He also holds a graduate assistantship in the Department of Internal Audit. Shepard earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, and comes from a line of Hokies, including his father and two brothers. Prior to returning to Virginia Tech for graduate school, he worked in business, as well as the Virginia legislature, where he served as a legislative assistant during the 2002-03 legislative sessions.

Smith is a psychology, political science, and sociology triple major in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He is a member of the Student Government Association and serves as co-director of constituent outreach. Smith is a University Honors student and plans to graduate in spring of 2008.