Two generations share President's Award for Excellence

Note to readers: This year’s President Award winners will be awarded on April 12 and announced to the university community on April 13.

Virginia Tech has touched the lives of many families. And many families have made an indelible impact on Virginia Tech. One of these is Charles “Chuck” Shorter and his daughter, Amy Epperley. Both received Virginia Tech’s President’s Award for Excellence, Shorter in 1997 and Epperley in 2021.

Established in 1990 by Virginia Tech President James D. McComas, the President’s Award is an annual recognition of full-time staff  for their outstanding contributions and excellence in the performance of their jobs. The award previously included administrative and professional faculty until this year, when an Administrative and Professional Faculty Award was established.

Commenting on the dual awards, Epperley, senior director of Hokie Wellness, said, “That was the most amazing thing. I knew what an honor this was from my dad’s recognition.”

Epperley joined Virginia Tech in 2014, after working as a community health educator for Carilion Clinic. She received the President’s Award in recognition for her work during the COVID-19 response.

“Wellness has never been more critical to our university community than through the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to Amy’s leadership, resilience, and call to service, Virginia Tech students and our valuable faculty and staff have received the support they deserve,” Bryan Garey, vice president for human resources, wrote in Amy’s 2021 letter of nomination.

Epperley considers taking the job at Virginia Tech “the best career decision I ever made.” Her father was pleased when she took the position, too. “He always encouraged me to pursue growth opportunities.”

Shorter was farm manager at Kentland Farm. Epperley remembers visiting the farm with him when she was a child. “I loved getting to visit him at work. We would get to see the baby calves.”

Shorter began working as crop production manager for the dairy science department in 1974 and his job grew from there, until he was taking care of close to 3,600 acres. While working at Virginia Tech, he continued to farm at home at night. “That’s part of where the kids get their work ethic,” he said.

The President’s Award “was quite an honor at the time,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of it.”

He was delighted when his daughter also won the award. “Amy is a hard worker and dedicated to her job,” he said. When she won the award, “it made me feel like I accomplished something,” he said.

Shorter retired in 2002 after 28 years. “Virginia Tech is a good place to work,” he said. “I made a lot of good friends.”

During his time at Virginia Tech, Shorter was always on call.

"During illnesses of persons working under him or during inclement weather, he makes sure that the animals are cared for," wrote J.P. Fontenot, then professor of animal science and now professor emeritus, praising Shorter's commitment to the university in 1997. "For example, during heavy snows during the past two winters when the roads were closed, he personally went to Kentland and fed and took care of the animals."

Shorter enjoys working with animals. “Animals appreciate everything you do for them,” he said.

He still has 150 acres and rents more than 100 additional acres. He has nearly 150 cows and calves and 150 goats.

Growing up, Epperley always took care of animals on the family farm, including horses, cows, sheep, chickens, and turkeys. “When I think about wellness — like healthy nutrition and gardening — many of these things I learned from being active in 4-H and things my dad taught me.

“I’m kind of a farmer,” she continued. “My dad is someone who loves and cares for animals, and I’m someone who loves and cares for people.”

The Virginia Tech connection with animals continues with the next generation. Epperley’s younger son, Parker, will be attending Virginia Tech next year to study animal and poultry science.