College of Agriculture and Life Sciences announces Outstanding Graduating Senior award recipient

Virginia Tech has named Lorena Jo Johnson, a resident of Glade Spring, Va., as the Outstanding Graduating Senior for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“Miss. Johnson received this award because of her services to the university, as well as her many accomplishments throughout her academic career,” said Dr. Sharron Quisenberry, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Johnson is expected to receive her bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in May of this year. During her time at Virginia Tech, Johnson has received a variety of awards, as well as held leadership positions in the Dairy Club of Virginia Tech.

For the 2003-2006 school years, Johnson was given the Pamplin Scholar Award for her project entitled “The Quest for the Chocolate Cow.” The Pamplin Scholar Award is an academic scholarship equal to tuition and fees for the sophomore through senior years at Virginia Tech. Additionally, Johnson received the Paul M. Reaves Award which is awarded annually to Dairy Science seniors who have shown strong leadership through a variety of extracurricular activities and have a great interest in the dairy industry.

The Outstanding Senior Awards are presented at the Student Honors Day Banquet each spring. These awards are co-sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the senior class.

The purpose of the award is recognition of outstanding student performance in each college of the university. Students are selected on the basis of their quality credit average (3.4 or higher) and outstanding performance in several or all of the following areas: academic achievement, extracurricular activities, leadership positions and contributions of service to the university and/or community.

Ranked 11th in agricultural research expenditures by the National Science Foundation, Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers students the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading agricultural scientists. The college’s comprehensive curriculum gives students a balanced education that ranges from food and fiber production to economics to human health. The college is a national leader in incorporating technology, biotechnology, computer applications, and other recent scientific advances into its teaching program.