Virginia Tech has named Meliha “Lida” Aljabar of Glen Allen , Va., as the Outstanding Graduating Senior in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies for the 2011-12 academic year.

Aljabar, who is pursuing a major in public and urban affairs and a minor in landscape architecture, is expected to receive a bachelor’s degree in May 2012. She has excelled academically with Dean’s List recognition every semester.

Aljabar is a member of the University Honors Program and Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity.  She serves as the president of the Urban Affairs and Planning Student Association, is a member of the Student Government Association and serves as a representative for the Environmental Coalition. Aljabar is the co-founder and lead facilitator for the Coalition for Campus Sustainability and serves on the department’s Diversity Committee.

As an intern with the Blacksburg departments of Housing and Neighborhood Services and Planning and Building, Aljabar was active in the annual Town and Gown Student Summit. She is completing an internship with Sen. Mark Warner’s office and is a volunteer with Greenstar Organic Farm.

Aljabar is the daughter of Nazar and Kathryn Aljabar of Glen Allen.

The Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards are presented at the Student Honors Day Banquet each spring. These awards are co-sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the senior class.

The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding student performance in each college of the university. Students are selected on the basis of their grade point average (3.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale) and outstanding performance in several or all of the following areas: academic achievement, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and contributions of service to the university and/or community.

 

 

Share this story