Accounting grad the embodiment of Ut Prosim

When Andrew Igo ’19, M.S. ’20, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma as a middle school student, he learned very quickly that he was not fighting alone. His family and friends formed ‘Team Igo,’ sporting t-shirts supporting him in his battle against the bone and soft tissue cancer, even going so far as to help renovate his family’s basement into a ‘man cave’ where Igo could recover from his bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer, my classmates, friends, and family members came together for me,” he explained. “Being on the receiving end of so much love was a life-changing experience for me. It changed and motivated me to love and support everyone I meet.”

Igo carried that motivation with him to Blacksburg, where he became involved with the Appalachia Service Project at Virginia Tech (ASP-VT) shortly after beginning his freshman year.

Created in the fall of 2007, the ASP-VT is an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to join together to repair homes, make connections, and change lives in the Appalachia Mountains. “Their mission is to make homes in Appalachia warmer, drier, and ultimately safer for those in need,” Igo explained.

Igo served as an operations coordinator for national ASP, where he was responsible for volunteers, activities, programming, and planning. Sacrificing his summers, Igo traveled and lived in areas such as Jonesville, Virginia, and Trade, Tennessee, to give back to those in need.

“ASP-VT such an amazing organization and is a way to give back to the community,” he continued. “People come together to learn about the region. It is also a great way to get out and experience what the community and local Appalachia has to offer.”

With graduation closing in, Igo has secured a position with KPMG in their federal audit practice, which is set to begin in August. He will not rule out a return to academia, however.

“Having the opportunity to teach an intro to accounting class this past year opened my eyes to teaching and, perhaps, eventually getting my Ph.D.”

No matter what Igo ultimately does, one can be sure that he will be in the service of others.

“Kindness and service touched my life,” Igo said. “The motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) embodies my life – both giving and receiving.”

Igo continued, “I feel like every day I have been at Virginia Tech I witnessed Ut Prosim, both big and small.

“It’s what separates Virginia Tech from other institutions.”

- Written by Jeremy Norman