These alumni excel in their professions, communities, and university support
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences will honor its outstanding alumni during a ceremony on April 17.
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences will celebrate some of its outstanding alumni this month.
On April 17, the college will recognize graduates as distinguished alumni or rising stars, and three will be inducted into the college’s Hall of Honor. The ceremony will be held at the German Club in Blacksburg.
There are more than 66,000 graduates of the college, and many make an impact in their professions and communities, said Sarah Turner, director of alumni relations for the college.
"Our alumni awards program gives us the opportunity to recognize the work they are doing and to let them know how proud we are to call them alumni of the college," she said.
Read about this year’s award recipients.
Hall of Honor
Hall of Honor inductees exemplify the importance of a liberal arts education and have made significant contributions to their professions, communities, and Virginia Tech.
Renae Collier Pearson ’90, began her career in education, and in 1996, she and her husband, J., co-founded Carry-On Trailer and sold the business in 2010. Renae Pearson remains active in business today as manager of RP Management and AKW Holdings, LLC. She has served on the college’s Dean’s Roundtable Advisory Board and supported multiple family members through Virginia Tech.
Paul Austin ’65, a U.S. Army veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for Valor, built a 33-year career with Norfolk & Western Railway, rising from labor relations negotiator to executive assistant to the chairman. In retirement, Austin and his wife, Linda, remain devoted Hokies. They established the Paul & Linda Austin Professorship of Military History in 2022.
Jim Smith ’74, pioneered a new model for senior healthcare, with the development of more than 200 assisted living facilities, memory care, and skilled nursing communities nationwide. He served on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors (2006-2010) and on numerous state and regional healthcare boards. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and he became its first independent chairman of the board.
Rising Stars
Rising Star recipients graduated within the last 10 years and demonstrate emerging and unique innovation, creativity, and career success.
Jordan Fallon '23 is co-founder and co-president of Ursula’s Café, a Roanoke-based nonprofit community café and arts space dedicated to accessible food, creative programming, and community gathering.
Erin Lavender-Stott '18 is associate professor and program coordinator of human development and family science at South Dakota State University, where her research focuses on invisible family structures.
Bessie Flores Zaldivar '22 teaches first-year writing and fiction at Quinnipiac University and is author of the award-winning novel, “Libertad.”
Distinguished Alumni
Distinguished Alumni awards recognize alumni with extraordinary achievements in their fields of discipline and records of distinguished service.
- Charles Hodges Ph.D.’05, instructional design and technology
- Priscilla Alvarez, ’14, journalism, world politics, and policy
- Susan Gooden M.S.’92, political science
- Ebony Stephenson ’07, public and urban affairs
- Paula Yost ’02, English, biological sciences
- Keith Stemple ’95, history
- Justin Chiarodo ’00, philosophy, political science
- Jeanne DaDamio ’75, M.S. '76, French, higher education administration and counseling
- Saliha Bava Ph.D.’01, human development
- Aaron Rouse ’07, sociology
- Karey Sutton M.S.’08, Ph.D.'10, science, technology, and society
