Virginia Tech police officer Kendrah Cline and other first responders are being recognized Friday for saving the life of a student this past fall.

On Oct. 17, 2014, the police department dispatch center received a call about an unconscious student employee at the West End Market. Cline arrived at the scene and found the student was not breathing. She performed CPR until members of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad arrived.

The student was transported to the hospital and initially kept in a medically induced coma.  Eventually, the student made a full recovery and is now back on campus.

“I commend Officer Cline along with other members of the police department and the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad who assisted with saving the student’s life,” said Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administration.

Cline will receive the Virginia Tech Police Department lifesaving medal during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 6, at 12:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Building. In addition, letters of commendation will be presented to members of the police department and rescue squad who assisted with the rescue.

Recipients from the Virginia Tech Police Department include:

  • Katie Biniek, police sergeant
  • Donna Edwards, communications officer

Recipients from the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad include:

  • Stephen Bennett of Covington, Virginia, a senior majoring in forestry
  • Alejandra Espinoza of Arlington, Virginia, a senior majoring in human nutrition, foods, and exercise
  • Hannah Koontz of Richmond, Virginia, a senior majoring in human nutrition, foods, and exercise
  • Matt McGarvey of Blacksburg, Virginia, a senior majoring in electrical engineering
  • Rachel Nash of Bowie, Maryland, a junior majoring in sociology
  • Ben Scarboro of Franklin, Virginia, a senior majoring in biochemistry and microbiology
  • Nathaniel Settle of Powhatan, Virginia, a junior majoring in human nutrition, foods, and exercise
  • Joey Trigg of Fairlawn, Virginia, a senior majoring in human nutrition, foods, and exercise

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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