campus experience news directly from around campus

College of Natural Resources and Environment presents alumni, student, faculty, and staff awards

Excellence in service, academic achievement, research, and teaching were recognized at college’s annual celebration

Chris Moody

30 Mar 2026

Dean Saskia van de Gevel and Bob Garst — Saskia can de Gevel, dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment (at left) with Bob Garst '66, who was given the Legacy of Service Award.

The College of Natural Resources and Environment hosted its annual Spring Awards Celebration in March to recognize outstanding achievements among students, faculty, staff, and alumni during the 2025-26 academic year.

This year a special Legacy of Service Award was presented to Robert Garst ’66. While he graduated before the inception of CNRE, he graduated with a degree in forestry and is a long-standing supporter of the college.

Bob’s life reflects a lifelong commitment to service rooted in Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) mission. A Roanoke native and Eagle Scout, he carried that ethic to Virginia Tech as a forestry student and member of the Corps of Cadets, graduating in 1966 and being commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. He served 22 years as a logistics officer, including two tours in Vietnam, earning the Purple Heart. After military service, Bob built a career in the hardwood lumber industry before returning to Roanoke. His decades of leadership with the Boy Scouts of America, service at the National D‑Day Memorial, and steadfast support of Virginia Tech exemplify service to community, country, and future generations.

Dean Saskia van de Gevel and Rob Ferrell '88, '03, winner of CNRE's Outstanding Alumnus Award

Rob Farrel ’88, ’03, received the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of a career devoted to natural resources stewardship and environmental leadership. A forestry graduate, Rob has dedicated his career to forest stewardship and public service. As Virginia state forester, he advanced conservation initiatives, supported landowners, and strengthened the forestry workforce through innovative programs and leadership statewide.

Paige Van de Vuurst McClure ’21 was named Outstanding Recent Alumna for her research in disease ecology and biogeography that tackles challenges at the human–wildlife interface, linking ecological systems to human health in international settings. Spanning multiple continents, her fieldwork in Latin America, Africa, and other regions advanced understanding of zoonotic disease dynamics, climate change impacts, and public health risk, reflecting a commitment to applying science in service of global communities.

Undergraduate awards

Ezra Staengl, CNRE's Outstanding Senior for Class of '26.

Ezra Staengl, a senior in fish and wildlife conservation, was named CNRE’s 2026 Outstanding Senior. He was one of four students honored as outstanding seniors from their respective departments, along with:

Brenna Demko, Department of Geography
Isabella Icenhour, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Marta Ghigo, Department of Sustainable Biomaterials

The Persistence and Commitment to Success Award was presented to William Christian, a senior majoring in geography.

The David L. Smith Leadership Award recipients were:

Ethan Elder, overall CNRE award and the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Departmental finalists were:

Lucy Gehman, fish and wildlife conservation
Molly Busbice, geography
Nicolas Calabretta, sustainable biomaterials

Four senior ambassadors were recognized by CNRE and the Advising and Career Center for being the outstanding ambassador for their respective departments. Additionally, Jackson Orr, who was the selection for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, was chosen as the collegewide Ambassador of the Year.

The department honorees were: