Hall of Fame
The Biological Systems Engineering Hall of Fame was created to celebrate outstanding alumni who have significantly impacted the engineering field.
Recipents were selected during the 50th anniversary of the department. The next recipents were due to be selected in 2020, for the centennial anniversary, however, global changes delayed the process. The recipents for the centennial celebration will be released shortly.
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 reserach scientist to acting adminstrator of the ARS, the largest agricultural research organization in the world.
His reserach 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.
