Academy of Distinction
Members of the Virginia Tech Department of Biological Systems Engineering Academy of Distinction have made exceptional impact on the department, Virginia Tech, their professions, and their communities. Their inspirational careers of sustained professional achievement, leadership, and service exemplify Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). The Academy of Distinction was created in 1995 on the occasion of the department’s 75th anniversary.
Plans to reactivate the Academy during the department’s Centennial Celebration in 2020 were postponed as a result of the pandemic. Following the resumption of normal work practices, the department returned to the mission of identifying our most outstanding graduates and publicly acknowledging their achievements through induction into the 2024 Academy of Distinction, the highest honor conferred on departmental graduates. Referred to originally as our Hall of Fame, our inductees included the following highly accomplished graduates:
Henry B. Boynton
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1921
Henry Boynton is honored for exemplary service to his profession, the City of Roanoke, and Virginia Tech. Professional associates referred to him as the "Dean of Virginia Architecture." He served as president of the Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and of the State Registration Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, and Land Surveyors.
In Roanoke, he served on the Air Pollution Control Comission, the Planning Commission, and the Architectural Review Board, as well as the Board of Trustees of the Roanoke Fine Arts Center.
Registered engineer and architect. Alumni Distinguished Service Award, Virginia Tech, 1976
1899-1991
Frank B. Lanham
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1935
Recipient of the Massey-Ferguson Medal from ASAE IN 1974, awarded to "those whose dedication to the spirit of learning and teaching in the field of engineering has advanced our agricultural engineering knowledge and practice, and whose efforts serve as an inspiration to others."
The citation accurately describes his life and career, particularly in 23 years as Department Head, University of Illinois. Colleagues and students remember the high standards he set for himself and others, his ability to listen, and his ability to lead. He touched the lives of hundreds of students.
M.S., 1936 and Ph.D, 1952, Iowa State. ASAE President, 1976. ASAE Fellow, 1965. Registered Engineer.
1913-1978
Joseph H. Barlow
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1950
Recognized for outstanding dserivce to Virginia agriculture, he has been a successful farmer and tireless volunteer. He has been appointed by Virgnia Governors to serval boards and commissions.
As president of the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Servicces, he filled the designated position on the Vorginia Tech Board of Visitors from 1992 to 1995. He has served the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, through the Virginia Extension Advisory Council and as a member of the college's Leadership Council.
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Farm Family, 1982. Virginia Tech Alumni Board of Directors, 1982-89. Virginia Agribusiness Council Board of Directors. Gamma Sigma Delta Distinguised Service to Agriculture Award of Merit, 1995.
John K. Hale
Agriculture Engineering
Class of 1951
His 29 patents are one indication of his superior achievements in the agricultural machinery industry. Some of his patents were trend setters that are still widely used in bthe industry.
A career-long employee of the company well known as MNew Holland, he has been responsible for the design and production of hay-making equiment, lwan and garden equiment, skid loaders and combines. He has managed engineering projects as the national and international levels. He served as chairman of the Equiment Manufacturers Institute Technical Council.
M.S., Virginia Tech, 1955. Registered Engineer. ASAE's CIGR representative, 1974-79. ASAE McMormick-Case Gold Medal, 1991. EMI Engineering Merit Award.
James E. Turner
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1956
After a brief stint with International Harvestor, he began a career in the ship-building industry. Over nearly 40 years, he worked for Newport News Shipbuilding, Tenneco, Westinghouse, and General Dynamics. As a company exective, he has awlasy orivuded communtiy leadership for the arts, charities, civic clubes, and his alma mater.
When he recieved the University Distinguised Achievement Award from Virginia Tech in 1994, the president said, "he has given his time and talents to the next generation of leaders thugh his selfless dedication to improving the educational opportunities for students here at Virginia Tech."
Virginia Tech College of Engineering Committee of 100. Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
J. Lyle Shaver
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1958
He is honored for his consistent high-quality efforts in the engineering and manaufacturing of efficicent farm machinery and his continued service to engineering education. Working for four major corporations during his career, he is especially recognized for his world-wide engineering of all combine and cotton harvesting products while with JI Case.
He holds seven U.S. and several foreign patents. He has been active in standards developement through ASAE. He is committed to improving engineering education and the engineering profession by active participation in the engineering accrediation processes in ASAE and ABET.
M.S., Virginia Tech, 1962. Registered Engineer. FIEI/EMI Engineering Merit Award, 1987. ASAE Fellow, 1987.
Essex E. Finney, Jr.
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1959
His career with the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, spanned 30 years, from research scientist to acting adminstrator of the ARS, the largest agricultural research organization in the world.
His research on physical properties of fruits and vegtables led to improved food quality. He demostrated skill and vision in leading a diverse research program. He served on the White House Task Force on Women, Minorities, and the Handicapped in Science and Technology, 1987.
M.S., Penn State, 1960. Ph.D., Michigan State, 1963. Princeton Fellow in Public Affairs, 1973-1974. ASAE Fellow, 1983. National Academy of Engineering, 1994.
Don Wells
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1965
As a key player in advancing conservation efforts, Don Wells began his impactful career as a Watershed Planning Engineer with the Commonwealth of Virginia. His commitment to service was further demonstrated during his time in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1968, where he served as an engineer on a geographic specialist team. For 25 years, Don was instrumental in advancing conservation efforts in the Hanover-Caroline Conservation District. His influence extended to academia as he served on the inaugural Biological Systems Engineering Advisory Board from 1997 to 2003. Following years of service, Don received the Bobby Wilkinson Award for Soil and Water Conservation District Director in 2003. Additionally, he received a commendation from the Virginia Senate in 2023 for his exemplary service to both the Commonwealth and the nation as a dedicated conservationist. B.S., Virginia Tech, 1965. Distinguished Service Award, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1988. Southeast National Association of Conservation Districts Hall of Fame, 2023.
Travis "Rusty" Unterzuber
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1972
Travis “Rusty” Unterzuber is a leader in the agricultural and off-highway equipment industry, where he dedicated 45 years to innovation and excellence. His career began with New Holland Farm Equipment and later expanded at John Deere, where he played pivotal roles in product engineering and global process development, including a major initiative to transition the company to metric operations. Rusty’s journey in engineering leadership included significant contributions to the design and manufacturing of agricultural equipment and construction machinery. His work at John Deere was instrumental in implementing an enterprise-wide product delivery process that embodied the corporate philosophy of “design anywhere, build anywhere,” ensuring global success for the company. B.S., Virginia Tech, 1972. M.S., University of Minnesota,1978. M.S. University of Iowa, 1986. Virginia Tech College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board.
John F. Reid
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1980, 1982
John has been a leader in the technology industry and academia for over 35 years with a focus on sensing, automation, and control of food and agriculture systems. During his career at Deere and Company, he initiated the development of enterprise field robotics capabilities. In 2017, he was recognized as a John Deere Technical Fellow for his contributions to Technology Innovation. John’s time at Brunswick Corporation saw him responsible for building organizational capabilities that enabled initial product in vessel electrification and autonomy. Throughout his career, he has been awarded 30 patents in respect to agricultural systems sensing, automation, and control. B.S, Virginia Tech, 1980. M.S., Virginia Tech, 1982. Ph.D., Texas A&M, 1987. Academy of Engineering Excellence, Virginia Tech, 2020. National Academy of Engineering, NAE, 2019.
Ann Kenimer
Agricultural Engineering
Class of 1985, 1987
With over 30 years at Texas A&M University, Ann significantly advanced undergraduate education, serving as associate provost for undergraduate studies from 2012 to 2022. She played a key role in establishing the Academic Success Center and expanding academic programs at the Higher Education Center at McAllen, Texas, increasing enrollment from 28 to 340 students by 2022. Ann's dedication to student success is evident in programs like Aggies Thrive, which supports at-risk undergraduates. A recognized educator, she has received numerous awards, including the ASABE A. W. Farrall Young Educator Award and the Texas A&M Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence. As a Fellow of ASABE and ABET, Ann continues to impact the academic community through her leadership in accreditation and educational reform initiatives. B.S., Virginia Tech, 1985. M.S., Virginia Tech, 1987. Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990. Professional Engineer. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumna, Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2008-09.
Kelly Bulloch
Biological Systems Engineering
Class of 1998
Since joining Kimley-Horn in 1998, Kelly has built a remarkable 26-year career, serving in various roles as a professional engineer. She has addressed diverse project challenges, including stormwater improvements and utility extensions, while driving the growth of the Lakeland, FL, office and managing over 30 professionals in complex land development projects. Notably, she was the lead civil engineer for the acclaimed Streamsong Golf Resort, transforming reclaimed mine land into a premier retreat. A dedicated community servant, Kelly was the first recipient of the Harold D. Vick Community Service Award and actively supports organizations like Habitat for Humanity. B.S., Virginia Tech, 1998.
Cathy Underwood
Biological Systems Engineering
Class of 1998, 2000
As the first female to lead Branch & Associates, Cathy’s 20 years of experience give her unparalleled insight into Branch’s operations. Her skills were invaluable in bringing complex projects to successful completion, including the $107.5 million Montgomery County Public Schools (VA) 3-School PPEA project as well as the $59 million Ridgeview High School/Middle School project in Dickenson County, Virginia. Cathy also pursued and led the company’s introductory LEAN construction project via Integrated Project Delivery. This experience directly resulted in the development of Branch’s LEAN-based Team Centered Planning (TCP) process, a collaborative approach that emphasizes maximizing value for the customer while minimizing waste. B.A., Virginia Tech, 1998. M.S., Virginia Tech, 2000. LEED Professional Accreditation. Constructech Women in Construction Award, 2018.
