ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

Art Keown, R.B. Pamplin Professor of Finance. Keown has published numerous articles in top-tier finance journals, but in recent decades, he has focused on writing textbooks about financial management and personal finance that have been incorporated into the curricula of major universities across the nation. He is best known for his inspired teaching and dedicated mentoring. As finance department head Vijay Singal wrote, “There is an artistry with which Art guides the class.”

RUFFNER MEDAL

Ben Davenport, member of the President’s Circle within the Ut Prosim Society of donors. Davenport co-led the effort to honor former university president Charles Steger by renaming the Center for European Studies and Architecture at Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, as the Steger Center for International Scholarship. He has served on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, Virginia Tech Foundation Board, Pamplin College of Business Advisory Board, and was a leader in establishing the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

DIGGS TEACHING SCHOLAR

Jean Lacoste, senior instructor for accounting and information systems.  Lacoste has taught large lecture classes for the past 14 years. She’s committed herself to making each student feel important and providing him/her with a learning method that works. Lacoste transformed an introductory accounting and information systems mass lecture course into a hands-on business analytics course delivered in multi-modal format. She wants to use the award to develop a similar type course that spans multiple disciplines and departments.

EMERITUS

Wanda Smith has been conferred the title of associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Timothy D. Sands.