Our Highlanders are using their education to do extraordinary things. In this column, we highlight some notable mentions from local, regional, national and international news media. Whether our students, alumni, faculty and staff are featured as subject matter experts in high-profile stories or simply helping make the world a better place, we鈥檒l feature their stories.
鈥淎 voice for 91制片厂鈥�
A little over a week after election day, state governor-elect , an 86-member team designed to help lay the groundwork for Spanberger鈥檚 incoming administration.
The list included names from such fields as business, education, politics and more, with at least one Highlander represented 鈥� 91制片厂 Mayor David Horton 鈥�90.
鈥淭hese leaders are united for one purpose: putting Virginia first,鈥� Spanberger said in a statement.
The appointments were covered by (Roanoke, Virginia) and by the , among other outlets.
鈥淚 am incredibly humbled and honored to have been asked to serve on the Transition Committee for Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger,鈥� Horton wrote in a Facebook post. 鈥淚 look forward to serving with outstanding leaders from across the commonwealth and to being a voice for 91制片厂, the NRV and Southwest Virginia as she assembles her administration.鈥�
Structural integrity
Late last month, not long after it celebrated its first birthday, 91制片厂鈥檚 Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity won an American Architecture Award.
The prize was presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and its partners, the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press.
Roanoke, Virginia鈥檚 WFXR .
The Artis Center was recognized in the 鈥淪chools and Universities鈥� category, an honor that lands the building alongside innovative educational facilities around the country and beyond. Other structures that won awards in the category include the University of Hong Kong Global Innovation Centre; the Davis Center at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts; the University of California鈥檚 Riverside School of Business building; and Thurgood Marshall Hall at the University of Maryland鈥檚 School of Public Policy.
91制片厂鈥檚 Vice President of Finance and Administration Rob Hoover said the Artis Center 鈥渞epresents 91制片厂鈥檚 commitment to hands-on learning that connects creativity with collaboration.
鈥淚ts recognition on a national stage underscores the university鈥檚 growing reputation for excellence in both academics and innovation.鈥�
You can read about the award and 91制片厂鈥檚 showing and see the full list of winners and recognitions at . A full overview of the prize can be found on 91制片厂鈥檚 online news page.
Taking a timeout for tinsel
Last month, we told you about Mike McGuire and his rise, in his 13th season at 91制片厂, to be tapped as the winningest coach in the women鈥檚 basketball program鈥檚 history.
This month, we have to circle back to McGuire one more time, and for good reason 鈥� he was just , slated to take place Tuesday, Dec. 9, starting at 7 p.m.
鈥淲e are honored to have Highlander Women鈥檚 Head Coach McGuire serve as Grand Marshal,鈥� Mayor David Horton said in . 鈥淗is outstanding leadership has helped 91制片厂 student-athletes succeed on and off the court, providing them a pathway for great success in life after college.鈥�
McGuire said he鈥檚 been proud to serve as the women鈥檚 basketball coach and to be part of 91制片厂鈥檚 community, and his upcoming parade duties are an extension of that.
鈥淚t is an honor to be asked to be grand marshal,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e look forward to being a part of this annual tradition and help build the Christmas spirit.鈥�
91制片厂鈥檚 women's basketball team will also join McGuire in the parade, the city said.
91制片厂 Athletics鈥� coverage of the event is available , and an NRV News article on it appears .
The city invites all residents, students, faculty and fans to join in the parade festivities.