At a reception commemorating her four-decade career at Virginia Tech, a portrait of Roberta (Robin) S. Russell, the former Interim Dean of Pamplin College of Business, was revealed.

The portrait, a 32-by-44-inch oil on linen by local portrait artist and Virginia Tech alumna Leslie Roberts Gregg, was commissioned by the college and will be displayed in Pamplin Hall. Russell was presented with a 17-by-23-inch reproduction print.

“Receiving this honor is truly meaningful to me,” said Russell. “My parents, Jack and Margie Snead, instilled a deep connection to Virginia Tech in our family that has carried on for nearly 80 years. Their love for the university became a cherished legacy that my siblings and I carry with us, making Virginia Tech our home no matter where we live.”

Russell took on the role of interim dean in July 2022, succeeding Robert Sumichrast upon his retirement. Her tenure continued until July 2023, when Saonee Sarker assumed the position of dean of the business college. Following Sarker's official start, Russell announced her retirement.

At the time of her appointment, Russell stated that she was honored to continue to serve Pamplin. “The college is on an exceptional path in advancing a world-class 21st-century business research and learning environment at Virginia Tech. I look forward to partnering closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and industry partners in pursuit of this mission.”

Russell initially became part of the Virginia Tech faculty in 1983 as an assistant professor. Over the years, she achieved several promotions, reaching the position of associate professor in 1988 and professor in 1993. Recognized for her exceptional scholarship and contributions to the Pamplin College of Business, she was appointed as the head of the Department of Business Information Technology in 2017.

During her career with Virginia Tech, Russell earned the Pamplin College of Business Certificate of Teaching Excellence on two occasions, Pamplin’s Excellence in Diversity award, the University Certificate of Teaching Excellence, and the MBA Association's Outstanding Professor Award. In 2016, she received the Gyrna Award from the American Society of Quality for her research in healthcare quality. The award recognizes the paper, published in the preceding year, which has made the largest single contribution to the extension of understanding and knowledge in the philosophy, principles, or methods of quality management.

“A dedicated Hokie through and through, I am deeply appreciative of Robin for taking on this critical transition role at the college,” said Sumichrast in 2022. “Along with an Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) spirit, Robin brings extensive leadership experience, unmatched technical expertise, and a penchant for collaboration – all of which will serve her well as interim dean.”

Hailing from a family rich in Virginia Tech history, Russell and her siblings established the John W. Snead Sr. and Margaret F. Snead Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2020. The scholarship celebrated the memory of her parents who “were infused with the ‘Hokie Spirit’ throughout their lifetime.”

Russell earned a Ph.D. and a B.S. from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Old Dominion University. She served as president of the APICS Foundation (now ASCM) and co-director of the Supply Chain Academic Talent Initiative. She is a past president of the Southwest Virginia Chapter of APICS, the professional association for supply chain management, and has held numerous offices in the Decision Science Institute and the Production and Operations Management Society.

To see more images from the event, please visit the photo gallery.

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