Virginia Tech Honors and Awards

Nominations for Awards

The External Awards Committee

On October 16, 1981, Charles O. Gordon Sr., then rector of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, appointed a committee representative of the faculty, administration, students, emeriti faculty, and alumni to consider individuals to whom the William H. Ruffner Medal might appropriately be presented. The committee was asked to make an annual recommendation to the board, through the president, of one or more individuals for consideration for such an award.

The board later enlarged the responsibilities of the committee to include recommendations of individuals of such nationally recognized achievements that they would be deserving of the University Distinguished Achievement Award.

Neither the William H. Ruffner Medal nor the University Distinguished Achievement Award would be restricted to alumni, although in both cases an appropriate relationship with the university would be desirable.

William H. Ruffner Medal

Although the criteria were drawn purposely broad to provide the board with freedom in considering "notable and distinguished" service of a proposed recipient, examples of such service would include the following:

  • Outstanding achievement in efforts devoted to the promotion, improvement, and development of the university's mission as a land-grant university.
  • Significant service on one or more of the official, informal, university-related, or otherwise designated advisory, counseling, volunteer, or action groups serving the university.
  • Extraordinary interest in and support-including material support-of the well-being of the university and its students, faculty, and staff in efforts to provide educational opportunities and research and public service programs on behalf of the citizens of the commonwealth and nation.

No individual affiliated with Virginia Tech as a student, faculty or staff member, administrator, or trustee or anyone in a similar capacity would be eligible for the William H. Ruffner Medal. Individuals affiliated with the university in any of these capacities would remain ineligible for at least 12 months after ending such affiliation.

The University Distinguished Achievement Award

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors reauthorized the University Distinguished Achievement Award under that designation on March 22, 1982. The award previously had been identified as the University Distinguished Alumni Citation. In reauthorizing the award -- a specially designed medal -- the board stipulated that nominees should meet the following criteria:

  • Nationally distinguished achievement, personal and/or professional, in any field of endeavor of enduring significance and value to the society.
  • An identifiable and appropriate relationship with this university, so that presentation of the award would reflect favorably both on the award recipient and the institution.

No individual affiliated with Virginia Tech as a student, faculty or staff member, administrator, or trustee or anyone in a similar capacity would be eligible for the University Distinguished Achievement Award. Individuals affiliated with the university in any of these capacities would remain ineligible for at least 12 months after ending such affiliation. While it would appear that most persons selected for the award should be alumni or alumnae or previously would have had some faculty, staff, or trustee relationship with the university, having such a relationship with the university would not preclude presentation of the award to a commencement speaker, visiting scholar, public official, or individuals with other such relationships. The potential recipients of the University Distinguished Achievement Award would not necessarily have had the same close association with the institution as is required for the William H. Ruffner Medal.

External Awards Nomination Guidelines

The committee meets once annually to consider nominations for the Ruffner Medal and the University Distinguished Achievement Award. Nominations should be submitted to Dr. Elizabeth A. Flanagan, Chair, at 315 Burruss Hall (MC 0253). The nomination materials should include sufficient facts to allow the committee to perform a full review.

Carefully review the definition of each award and the criteria.

  • Consider those individuals who may be eligible.
  • Make sure the nominee is not on the list of prior recipients.
  • Review submission guidelines.
  • Incorporate the relevant information into your nomination request.
  • Review the request against the suggested summary below.*
  • Direct your materials to the address above before the deadline.
  • Questions can be directed to Margie Zelinski at 231-6106 or zelinski@vt.edu

Deadline:  August 15

*Justification Summary

  • Biographical information
  • Educational information (alum/non-alum)
  • Employment information
  • Accomplishments/Achievements
  • Relationship to Virginia Tech

Other Information:

  • Nominees not chosen for award remain on the active list for 3 years.
  • After 3 years the name is removed from consideration unless re-nominated.
  • Award recipients are announced in April.
  • The Ruffner Medal is awarded at Founders Day.
  • The University Distinguished Achievement Award is given at commencement.