Ceremony to honor those inducted to Virginia Tech's Americans With Disabilities Act Honor Roll

BLACKSBURG, Va., Sept. 13, 2007 – Several Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff will be honored next month for their efforts to improve accessibility or to accommodate persons with disabilities as the university marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Individuals who will be added to the university’s Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Honor Roll will be recognized at a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 22, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in 1100 Torgersen Hall. Kevin McDonald, Virginia Tech's vice president of multicultural affairs, will speak at the event which is free and open to the public.

Staff Awards recognize achievements in providing an accessible and accommodating environment for students and employees with disabilities. Recipients include:

• Jean Brickey of Blacksburg, administrative and program specialist, University Libraries
• Lucinda Jennings, programming director, Office of the University Architect
• John Beach of Salem, Va., director of physical plant
• Geoff Knobl of Blacksburg, IT Specialist, Undergraduate Admissions
• Cindy Robison, customer service and administrative support, Undergraduate Admissions
• Aaron Hudson, shelving supervisor, University Libraries
• Jennifer Boyd, building condition assessor, Facilities
• Kelvin Bergsten, unit manager, Dining Programs (Dietrick Dining Center)
• Pam Little, receptionist, Services for Students with Disabilities

Teaching Faculty Awards recognize achievements in providing an accessible and accommodating environment for students with disabilities. Recipients include:

• Karen DePauw, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate School
• James Sexton, lecturer, Department of Hospitality and Tourism, Pamplin College of Business
• Danielle Lusk, Curriculum and Instruction, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• John Hite, instructor, Department of Management, Pamplin College of Business
• Constantinos Charalambous, Department of Economics, College of Science

Faculty Awards recognize achievements in providing an accessible and accommodating environment for persons with disabilities. Recipients are:

• Grant H Turnwald of Blacksburg, associate dean, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
• Karsten Davis, assistant director for housing and dining services, Office of Student Programs
• Jane Warner, assistant director, Services for Students with Disabilities
• Robyn Hudson, coordinator and academic coach, Services for Students with Disabilities

The Student Award recognizes achievements of a student who has gone beyond the expected and taken a leadership role in providing accessibility or accommodations to persons with disabilities. Receiving this award is:

• Christy Horn, assistant academic coach, Services for Students with Disabilities

The Outreach Award recognizes individuals for their outreach and services to provide an accommodating environment for students and employees at Virginia Tech. Receiving this award is:

• John Wright

The Research Award recognizes individuals whose research has lead to a more accessible and accommodating environment. Receiving this award is:

• Thurman Lockhart, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, College of Engineering

Three individuals will be recognized for their years of service and significant contributions to the ADA Executive Committee. They are:

• Edd Sewell, associate professor of communication, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Craig Brians, associate professor of political science, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Gail M. Kirby, Office of Residence Life

More information is available on the Department of Human Resources website or by contacting by calling (540) 231-0905.

The theme of this year's Disability Awareness Month events and activities is "Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team."

• Allan Miller
• 540-231-5396
• vtnews@vt.edu