Dean's Message
Welcome, VT CAUS family,
to the August 2021 edition of CAUS+effect. This online alumni newsletter for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies covers a vibrant mix of stories that highlight the work of our faculty, students, and alumni.
I am honored to serve the college as interim dean. This is my 40th year at Virginia Tech. I am Alumni Distinguished Professor of Human Development, with a specialty in adult development and aging. I have also served the university as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, and I co-chaired the Beyond Boundaries strategic visioning process. I will continue to chair the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee, charged by President Sands to envision and plan Virginia Tech’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of faculty and student work in all the CAUS schools and programs. And, I look forward to visiting our campuses in Richmond, Arlington, and Alexandria.
The start of this semester is very exciting as we welcome faculty, staff, and students back to our campuses. Undergraduates have already moved into the new Creativity and Innovation District residential community, which features three living and learning communities. CAUS and Student Affairs have launched one of them, named Rhizome, which will challenge students to explore the roles that art, design, construction, planning, and analytical interventions have in shaping built and natural environments.
In this edition of CAUS+effect, you will enjoy meeting Yang Zhang (Urban Affairs and Planning, School of Public and International Affairs), who now serves the college as the Associate Dean for Research. We also feature two student experiential learning opportunities. One project reimagines our local airport and another recognizes a graduate student who serves as a 2021 governor’s fellow. And we are delighted to recognize Lynn Schnurr’s induction into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. Lynn serves as a member of the Dean's Advisory Board for CAUS and as board member for the School of Public and International Affairs.
Don’t miss a mesmerizing video on a project to prototype and construct a 3-D printed home in Richmond.
This semester, CAUS alumni will have many opportunities to engage with our community, both in-person and virtually. I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months, especially at Homecoming, which is also the public launch of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration.
Go Hokies!