Virginia Tech is recognizing more than 800 employees for their commitment to service and for exemplifying our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Collectively, these employees have dedicated 16,600 years of service to the university.

The service recognition program acknowledges employees' service to the university in five-year increments, beginning at 10 years of service. Of the employees recognized this year, the following 44 have served Virginia Tech for 40 years or more, representing over 1,800 years of combined service:

Harold Burkhart with President Sands at the 2019 Service Recognition dinner
Harold Burkhart with President Sands celebrating his 50 years of service to the university.

50 years

  • Harold Burkhart

45 years

  • Sal Choudhury
  • E. Jane Harrison
  • Werner Kohler
  • Goldie Long
  • Robert T. Muse
  • Rocky Price
  • Rhonda Rogers
  • Janet Sanders
  • Peter Schultz
  • James Warren

40 years

  • Bonnie D. Akers
  • James Allen
  • Donald G. Baird
  • Edwin Brooks
  • James T. Brown
  • Lay Chang
  • Mark Cramer
  • Clyde Y. Cridlin Jr.
  • Christie H. Dapper

40 years (cont'd)

  • Judy Fielder
  • Sharon Gotkiewicz
  • Dana Huffman
  • Geno Iannaccone
  • Michael Karmis
  • Dean Kirstein
  • Shoshana Milgram Knapp
  • William Knocke
  • James Bryan Long
  • Steven E. Markham
  • Debra McAlexander
  • Barbara McPherson
  • Brent D. Opell
  • Michael Saffle
  • Rhonda Shrader
  • Betty Smith
  • Karen Smith
  • Teresa Sowers
  • Bonnie Taylor
  • Joseph G. Tront
  • Roy O. Vickers Jr.
  • Layne T. Watson
  • Nancy J. Weaver
  • Roe-Hoan Yoon
Service Recognition dinner
Vice President for Human Resources Bryan Garey speaking at the 40+ Service Recognition Dinner.

complete list of employees recognized this year is available online. Virginia Tech publicly thanked employees for their service through an ad published April 29 in The Roanoke Times' Virginia section. Click here to see the ad. In addition, as part of the university’s recognition, for 24 hours The Roanoke Times’ homepage will have a special reveal ad that sends visitors to this year’s service recognition website. Click here to see the reveal ad.

Receptions were held for employees celebrating 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service. Employees with 40 or more years of service celebrated at a special dinner and reception.

Employees with 25 or more years of service receive an etched Hokie stone, a symbol of strength and stability. The stone is a reflection of each employee who receives them.
Starting at 40 years of service, the Hokie stones are personalized with employees’ name and years of service.

All employees receive a service lapel pin and certificate.

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