Wayne Moore receives 2009 Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising
Wayne Moore, associate professor of political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, received the university's 2009 Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising.
Established by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising is presented annually by the Office of the Provost to Virginia Tech faculty members who have been particularly dedicated and effective while advising undergraduates. Recipients may be nominated by faculty members or students, are selected by a committee of former award winners, and receive a $2,000 prize.
Wayne has served as a university pre-law advisor for the Department of Political Science since joining the Virginia Tech faculty in 1992. He also teaches constitutional law for the department of political science.
“Many former advisees recognize the critical role he has played in helping them get admitted to law school, while others appreciate the care with which he has helped them explore their interests in law and in other careers,” noted Karen Hult, professor of political science.
Each academic year, more than 200 Virginia Tech students and alumni apply to law school. In recent years, between 65 and 70 percent of these applicants have been admitted to at least one law school, a percentage that uniformly exceeds the national average.
“Vast knowledge about his field, a calming demeanor, and the ability to provide inspiration and motivation is what Dr. Moore provides his students,” said Dylan Greenwood, senior political science and economics double major and editor of the Philologia Undergraduate Research Journal. “What more could you ask for in an advisor? He celebrates his students’ accomplishments and is always there to lend a helping hand or give advice.”
Steve Cave, a 2006 Virginia Tech graduate in economics and political science, explained that Moore helped him navigate the difficult law school application process. “He properly made sure that I understood the challenges of law school applications and the competitiveness of the admissions process while still encouraging me and making sure that I knew not only what options were available, but also how to meet those options and succeed,” said Cave, now a student at the George Mason University School of Law.
As the university faculty pre-law advisor, Moore advises students on course selection, law-related internships, career paths, appropriate law schools to consider, the LSATs and application process, and personal statements for law school. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the Virginia Tech pre-law chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, the international law society.
Moore received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and his juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. He later earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Princeton University. Moore practiced law in Philadelphia before turning to teaching and writing about the U.S. Constitution.
