May 31

Circle of Excellence
Conference
May 31June 2
2009
An Invitation from
the Vice President
Together We Grow
It is my distinct pleasure to invite you
to attend the seventh annual Circle of
Excellence Conference. After hosting
this event at the renowned Grandover
Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina
last year, we are returning to our
beautiful campus. The 2009 conference
will be held May 31 - June 2, at The Inn
at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference
Center.
The conference is designed to bring
together Virginia Tech women friends
and alumnae to experience first-hand
how university faculty, staff, and alumni
are inventing the future. You will have the opportunity to interact with
engaging speakers, participate in social activities, meet new people
who share a passion for Virginia Tech, and provide input on how we
can better respond to the needs of our alumnae and friends.
I hope you will be able to join us for the 2009 Circle of Excellence
Conference.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth A. Flanagan
Vice President for Development and University Relations
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Conference Agenda
DAY 1
Sunday, May 31
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, June 1
DAY 2
7:00 a.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 a.m.
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 2
DAY 3
7:00 a.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Golf (self arranged; no transportation provided)
WLP Council Meeting with Working Brunch
WLP Committee Breakout Sessions
WLP Council Meeting Wrap-up
Conference Registration Begins
Hospitality Suite Open
Welcome Reception
Dinner with Keynote Speaker:
Larry Hincker, Associate Vice President for University Relations
Breakfast Begins (vouchers provided for Preston’s)
Pilates
General Session
• “How to Weather the Storm of a Down Economy”
- Lisa Kern, Davenport & Company
Break
Breakout Sessions
• “Ordinary Sparkling Moments” Book Discussion
- Christine Mason Miller, Author
• “Identity Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name”
- Dawn Barnes & Melissa Chase, Cooperative Extension
Luncheon with Keynote Speaker:
Kelly Cagle, Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer Head Coach
Break
Blacksburg Garden Tour
Reception Hosted by Janet Steger at Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion
Dinner with Keynote Speaker: Christine Mason Miller, Author
Breakfast Begins (vouchers provided for Preston’s)
Yoga
General Session
• “Tips for Going Green”
- Jessica Dorr & Scott Klopfer, Conservation Management Institute
Break
Breakout Sessions
• “Biotech in a Box: CSI Blacksburg”
- Erin Dolan, Biochemistry Professor
• “Astronomy: Your Insight into the Sky”
- Nahum Arav, Astronomy Professor
Closing Luncheon with Keynote Speaker:
Sue Ott Rowlands, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
* All events held at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center unless otherwise noted.
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General Session
Monday, June 1
“How to Weather the Storm of a Down Economy:
Investment Strategies for Now and Long Term”
Lisa Kern, Davenport & Company
In today’s economy, it is important to make wise financial decisions. This session will review historical
information and market cycles and provide strategies to smooth volatility of returns. Discussion will
also include asset allocation pre- and post-retirement and the importance of rebalancing portfolios to
manage risk. Additionally, managing longevity risk and inflation during retirement will be addressed,
including the benefits of wealthcare planning for pre and post retirement years.
Breakout Sessions
“Ordinary Sparkling Moments” Book Discussion
Christine Mason Miller, Author
Is it possible to find meaning in our day-to-day existence? Can wisdom be attained while we run
errands, do the dishes, and pay our bills? “Ordinary Sparkling Moments” includes a combination
of writing, collage, and photography from internationally recognized artist Christine Mason Miller.
This book was written from the experiences of a woman on the cusp of 40, evolving to a place where
she trusts her own wisdom and beliefs, knowledge, and confidence earned through quiet observation
and appreciation of all the experiences life offers her, from the grand to the routine. Many of life’s
moments may be ordinary, but just beneath the surface there exists plenty of sparkle and delight. This
session allows participants to interact and discuss the book “Ordinary Sparkling Moments” with author
Christine Mason Miller.
“Identity Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name”
Dawn Barnes & Melissa Chase, Cooperative Extension Agents
Identity theft is the crime of our times. It is a crime so widespread, and with an impact so great, that it
literally destroys many people’s lives. In 2007, more than fifteen million people were victims of identity
theft and lost more than $80 billion dollars. Participants in this program will learn how identity thieves
get information, what to do to minimize the risk, and steps they should take if they become a victim of
identity theft.
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General Session
Tuesday, June 2
“A Day in the Life of Going Green”
Jessica Dorr & Scott Klopfer, Conservation Management Institute
The Conservation Management Institute (CMI) at Virginia Tech will present “A Day in the Life of
Going Green.” This session will cover small things individuals can do throughout their daily lives that
have a big impact on energy savings and sustainability. Simple exercises will be incorporated into the
presentation to put real cost saving figures on these green practices. Participants will learn how this
relates to CMI’s ongoing initiatives: local foods; Catawba Farm and Sustainability Center;
landcare and easements (local landowner conservation); green infrastructure; and, climate change.
Breakout Sessions
“Biotech in a Box - CSI:Blacksburg”
Erin Dolan, Biochemistry Professor
Over the past several decades, rapid advances in biotechnology have revolutionized decision-making
by the general public, from what foods we eat to what healthcare we utilize. As biological molecules,
cells and organisms become easier to manipulate and produce, individuals increasingly need to
choose whether and how they use these “products” of life science. The Fralin Life Science Institute
has responded by bringing biotechnology to Virginia high school and community college classrooms
over the past fifteen years through its Biotech-in-a-Box program. Each kit features hands-on activities
through which individuals can learn biological and chemical principles and problem-solving skills as
they solve mysteries using biotechnology (think CSI). This session will offer participants the chance to
become crime scene investigators for the day as they complete one of the Biotech-in-a-Box kits.
“Astronomy: Your Insight into the SKy”
Nahum Arav, Astronomy Professor
Astronomy: a confluence of high-priority national research and young minds excited about science.This
session will describe the history of astronomical research and how it has influenced human thoughts
and philosophy over the years. Participants will learn about the “golden age” of astronomy that the
world is currently experiencing, including the Hubble space telescope, planets around other stars, the
existence of black holes, and the search for life outside the planet Earth. Professor Nahum Arav will
also discuss the origin of the universe and his own research and outreach efforts at Virginia Tech.
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Featured Author
Christine Mason Miller
Christine Mason Miller is a Santa Monica based artist with nearly 15 years of art, design, and
illustration experience. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1990 with an art degree, Christine went on
to create the internationally recognized brand “Swirly.” Her work has been inspiring people of all ages
worldwide to follow their dreams and passions since 1995.
Christine’s work as an artist has evolved far beyond the “Swirly” world, with collections of paintings and
mixed media creations being sold and exhibited nationwide. Christine’s work gives viewers a peek into a
variety of details of her own life -- from travels around the globe to memories shared with her grandma.
Using materials as varied as acrylic and oil paints, pastels, ink, vintage photographs, and other ephemera,
Christine’s creations are full of color, texture, and hidden stories.
Her latest creation, “Ordinary Sparkling Moments,” is a full-color, self-published book that combines her
mixed media work and writing, all aimed at exploring the joys of finding wisdom in everyday life.
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Keynote Speakers
Larry Hincker
Associate Vice President for University Relations
Larry Hincker has been with Virginia Tech since 1988 and
served as head of University Relations since 1989. He serves
as the university spokesperson and senior communications
official responsible for marketing, public relations, and
institutional positioning, including the latest university-wide
branding effort, Invent the Future.
Larry will serve as keynote speaker at the opening
dinner to discuss recent accomplishments at
Virginia Tech.
Kelly Cagle
Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer Head Coach
Since beginning her position as head coach of the Virginia Tech women’s soccer
team in December of 2002, Kelly Cagle has transformed the program. She was
named the Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for 2008 by the National
Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The team also picked up a
second place finish in the 2008 ACC Tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA
Tournament for the second time in program history.
Kelly will discuss today’s female athletes at lunch on Monday, June 1.
Sue Ott Rowlands
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Sue Ott Rowlands has served as Dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts
and Human Sciences since July of 2007. She has a background in higher education,
professional theatre, and arts administration, and continues to work actively as a
theatre professional. Dean Ott Rowlands travels extensively as part of her ongoing
efforts to establish and promote international study abroad opportunities and
international arts exchanges.
As keynote speaker at lunch on Tuesday, June 2, she will focus on the
Arts Initiative at Virginia Tech.
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Lodging
A block of lodging rooms has been reserved at The Inn at Virginia Tech. Please
refer to “Circle of Excellence” when making reservations.
Special rates will apply to this block of rooms until April 30, 2009.
Toll-Free: 877/200-3360
Fitness
Recreational Sports will teach fitness classes at The Inn at Virginia Tech during the 2009
Circle of Excellence Conference. Equipment will be provided.
Pilates – Monday, June 1, from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Yoga – Tuesday, June 2, from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
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Optional
Activities
Golf
Virginia Tech Golf Course
1 Duck Pond Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540/231-6435
Hours:
Monday – Friday:
Saturday/Sunday:
Garden Tour
Join us on Monday afternoon for a tour of
several beautiful gardens in Blacksburg. Our
journey will begin by visiting the gardens
of two WLP Council Members, Jean Quible
and Sherry Quillen. The day continues with a
scenic tour of the Hahn Horticulture Gardens
on the Virginia Tech campus.
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Rates:
9 Holes:
$15 – Monday – Friday
$18 – Saturday/Sunday
18 Holes: $25 – Monday – Friday
$30 – Saturday/Sunday
Cart Fee:
9 Holes: $8.00
18 Holes: $16.00
Spa
Following the
garden tour,
Virginia Tech
first lady Janet
Steger, will host
a wine reception
at the Peggy Lee
Hahn Garden
Pavilion.
Tivon Salon and Spa
211 Prices Fork Road, Suite 100
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540/953-5000
Classic Body Image Salon & Day Spa
1711 North Main Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540/953-1697
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Registration Information
Attendance is limited to 150 participants and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
RSVP deadline is Friday, May 15.
To register, you may:
1) go online to wlp.givingto.vt.edu and complete our online registration
2) mail this RSVP/Registration Form to:
Ciji Good
Office of Special Events
902 Prices Fork Road (0336)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
3) fax your form to Attn: Ciji Good at 540/231-8329
Conference Registration Fees:
Full Conference Rate*......................................... $400 (all 3 days)
Sunday, May 31 ONLY........................................ $100
Monday, June 1 ONLY.........................................$200
Tuesday, June 2 ONLY.........................................$100
*All meals are included, beginning with dinner on Sunday, May 31
and concluding with lunch on Tuesday, June 2.
Lodging:
A block of lodging rooms has been reserved for attendees of the Circle of Excellence Conference at The
Inn at Virginia Tech. Special rates will apply to this block of rooms until April 30, 2009. Reservations
can be made by calling toll-free to 877/200-3360. Please refer to “Circle of Excellence” when making
your reservations to secure special conference rates. A credit card is required to confirm your reservation.
Single Room/King (May 31-June 2)................... $121 per night
Double Room/2 Queens (May 31-June2)............ $131 per night
*Extending the conference special lodging rates prior to and following conference dates
are at the discretion of the hotel and based on availability.
Special Needs:
If you have special needs or dietary restrictions,
please contact Ciji Good, Special Events Coordinator
Phone: 540/231-7713
Fax: 540/231-8329
E-mail: ciji@vt.edu
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
Registration
Attendee Information
Name:
Address:
(___ Please check here if this is a new address)
City/State/Zip:
E-mail:
Phone:
Session Options (Please mark your selections)
Monday, June 1
____Pilates (optional)
Breakout Sessions
(10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.):
Tuesday, June 2
____Yoga (Optional)
Breakout Sessions
(10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.):
____Book Discussion
____Biotech in a Box
____Identity Theft
____Astronomy
Registration Fees
Entire Conference:
Sunday Only:
Monday Only:
Tuesday Only:
Fee Number of Attendees
$400
__________
$100
__________
$200
__________
$100
__________
Total Amount Due:
Total Cost
$_________
$_________
$_________
$_________
$_________
Method of Payment
(Circle One)
Visa
Mastercard
AMEX
Check #__________
Cardholder Name:
Cardholder Address:
City/State/Zip:
Card Number:
Expiration Date:
Cardholder Signature:
Total Amount Charged $_________
Make checks payable to Virginia Tech Foundation
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