The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences community consistently earns university recognition for excellence in research, teaching, advising, and outreach, and this year is no exception, with a dozen awards recently announced.

Mark Barrow, chair of the Department of History, won the William E. Wine Award for teaching excellence. The William E. Wine Award was established in 1957 by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association in memory of William E. Wine, Class of 1904, who was a former rector of the Board of Visitors and Alumni Association president. Each of the three Wine Award winners receives $2,000 and automatic induction into the Academy of Teaching Excellence. Barrow has received numerous teaching awards, including the university’s 2017 Diggs Teaching Scholars Award.

Mark Barrow’s research centers on environmental history, including the cultural and environmental history of the American alligator.
Mark Barrow’s research centers on environmental history, including the cultural and environmental history of the American alligator.

Aaron Brantly, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, won the XCaliber Award for Excellence in Technology Assisted Teaching and Learning. Established in 1996 by the Office of the Provost, the XCaliber Award is presented annually by Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies to recognize individual faculty members or teams of faculty and staff who integrate technology in teaching and learning. The award celebrates innovative, student-centered approaches.

Aaron Brantly
Aaron Brantly

Multiple college faculty members won an Alumni Award for Excellence. Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Awards for Excellence are awarded to faculty and staff annually who exhibit excellence and dedication in their respective fields. This year’s honorees include Patricia Raun, a professor of performance and voice in the School of Performing Arts and director of the Center for Communicating Science, and Carolyn Kroehler, associate director of the Center for Communicating Science, for outreach excellence; Carol Mullen, a professor in the School of Education, for research; Nadine Sinno, an associate professor of Arabic in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, for teaching; Robert Stephens, an associate professor of history, for teaching; and Yannis Stivachtis, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, for international education.

Patricia Raun (left) serves as director and Carolyn Kroehler as associate director of the Center for Communicating Science.
Patricia Raun (left) serves as director and Carolyn Kroehler as associate director of the Center for Communicating Science.
Carol Mullen
Carol Mullen
Nadine Sinno
Nadine Sinno, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Robert Stephens
Robert P. Stephens
Yannis Stivachtis
Yannis Stivachtis

The Presidential Principles of Community Award recognizes faculty and staff members who exemplify and promote a welcoming and inclusive environment in accordance with the university’s Principles of Community. Three of this year’s four awards went to members of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences: Sam Cook, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology; the entire Department of Religion and Culture; and the Virginia Dares team, which is producing a multi-part web series, currently in post-production, scheduled to begin streaming in 2019. Virginia Dares is a collaboration among faculty and students in the School of Performing Arts, the American Indian Studies program, and the School of Visual Arts.

Sam Cook, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, is also director of American Indian Studies program.
Sam Cook, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, is also director of American Indian Studies program.
Matthew Gabriele serves as chair of the Department of Religion and Culture.
Matthew Gabriele serves as chair of the Department of Religion and Culture.
The Virginia Dares team, back row, from left: Vasia Ampatzi, Virginia Gray, James Gaffee, Allison Lee Craft, Erika Koekkoek, Beth Christiansen, Nicole Dietze, Charles Dye, and Ed Falco. Back row, from left: Matt Iglesias, Kartik Rustagi, Talisha D. Mack, Sam Cook, Trent Neely.
The Virginia Dares team, back row, from left: Vasia Ampatzi, Virginia Gray, James Gaffee, Allison Lee Craft, Erika Koekkoek, Beth Christiansen, Nicole Dietze, Charles Dye, and Ed Falco. Back row, from left: Matt Iglesias, Kartik Rustagi, Talisha D. Mack, Sam Cook, Trent Neely.

Vickie Martin, fiscal technician in the School of Education’s Office of Educational Research and Outreach, won the President’s Award for Excellence. This award is presented annually to up to five Virginia Tech employees who have made extraordinary contributions by consistent excellence in the performance of their job or a single incident, contribution, or heroic act. During her career at Virginia Tech, Martin has demonstrated exemplary skills in handling complex accounting procedures for international programs and research projects. She possesses a wealth of knowledge and information that extends beyond her assigned duties.

Vickie Martin
Vickie Martin

Amanda Villar, an academic adviser in the Department of Religion and Culture, won the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Advising. This award is given annually to a Virginia Tech faculty or staff member who serves undergraduate advisees in exemplary ways.

Amanda Villar
Amanda Villar