Amorim, Rock, and Luo receive honors

Nick Amorim, Carolyn Rock, and Andrew Luo, three students in the Pamplin College of Business, were recently honored with undergraduate student awards. Amorim received the College Service Award; Rock received the H.H. Mitchell Outstanding Leadership Award; and Luo received the Pamplin Outstanding Senior Award. All three have exhibited excellence in and out of the classroom with exemplary grades, involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities, as well as volunteer work. 

Each of the seniors have been extremely involved in on-campus activities. Amorim served as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of Students, while Luo helped lead the coordination of the Big Event, and Rock performed volunteer work on a service-trip to Ethiopia. Volunteering is important to all of them. “It’s about doing things because you want to do them—not for your resume,” said Rock. “I’m happy to do it. I love my community.” This sentiment reigned true among all the recipients.

Amorim added, “’Ut Prosim’ means doing things when people aren’t looking—doing things because you genuinely want to.” 

Amorim is double majoring in finance and real estate. When he graduates, he hopes to start a real estate development company that will focus on advancing underdeveloped communities. He plans for his company to also serve the community by employing those who are not often allowed to work. “Coming to Virginia Tech,” he said, “I wanted to leave a mark as an out of state student.” He knew that the best way to leave his mark would be to get involved in as many things as possible. “I was always the guy that sat in the front of the class, I built a rapport with my professors, and I was always myself.” Even after coming into Virginia Tech knowing no one, he was able to meet so many different people. He loved the general attitude of the student life here and the overly polite nature of his fellow students. Amorim got so involved that he joked, “now I can’t walk across the drill field without seeing 10 people I know.” 

Rock was also very touched by the attitude at Virginia Tech when she decided to attend. “We all get behind everything in the Hokie community.” Rock is double majoring in marketing and management. She is passionate about the performing arts and aspires to find a job in arts marketing. During her time at Virginia Tech, she has become a leader in many roles. She is a peer educator, the Moss Arts Center Student Ambassadors’ president, and the president of the Management Society. After hearing that she had received the H.H. Mitchell Outstanding Leadership Award, Rock said that she felt very honored. She attributes all her success to her professors, who she found to be truly inspiring and amazing.

Luo attributes much of his success to his experience in PRISM—a student-run interdisciplinary ad agency—where he was the chief strategy officer. “It’s a place where I’ve learned everything I can. What I’ve learned about myself came from experience.” Luo is double majoring in business information technology and management. After graduation, he will take on a role at KPMG as a cybersecurity associate. He has always had a passion for cybersecurity and has recently interned with KPMG already. He also served as a leader in the Hokie community as a residential advisor. “I try to give back in different ways. I get involved as a residential advisor not only physically and socially, but also mentally and emotionally.” He felt that getting involved gave him a chance to work with all kinds of people; people who think differently and those who think the same way.

All three seniors were grateful for the awards they received and the opportunities they have encountered during their time at Virginia Tech. They credit their mentors for shaping them into the leaders they are today. 

— Written by Rachel Breeden