Andrew Becker receives 2013 Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising
Andrew Becker, associate professor of Latin and ancient Greek languages, literatures, and cultures, and associate chair in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has received the 2013 Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising.
Established by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising is presented annually by the Office of the Provost to a Virginia Tech faculty member who has been particularly dedicated to and effective at advising undergraduate students. Recipients may be nominated by faculty members or students, are selected by a committee of former award winners, receive a $2,000 prize, and are inducted into the university’s Academy of Academic Excellence.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1988, Becker works with more than 340 majors and 800 minors in the department, as well as myriad students from across the university on issues of language study, the university’s language requirement, the curriculum for liberal arts education, transfer credit, and education abroad. Becker runs orientation for all language majors and serves as the first advisor to all incoming freshmen and transfer students majoring in Spanish, French, German, and Classical Studies. In addition, he is the advisor for 42 majors and 46 minors in classical studies and Latin.
“Andy’s friendliness, open-door policy, and knowledge of all facets of advising causes many students to continue to seek his guidance throughout their college careers,” said Liesl Allingham, assistant professor and member of the department’s scholarship and honors committee.
Becker’s teaching has been recognized with three Certificates of Teaching Excellence, the Edward S. Diggs Teaching Scholars Award, the William E. Wine Award, and the college’s Award for Excellence in International Initiatives (co-winner), and he was invited to appear on a panel for the Advising Matters conference last year.
“To say Dr. Becker was my undergraduate advisor completely misses the mark; Dr. Becker was been one of the most influential and significant role models and mentors of my adult life and for my chosen career path,” said Kendra Yount, an alumnus and former advisee.
Becker earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Cambridge University, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Written by Catherine Doss.
