Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 6, 1990 TAG: 9004250134
SECTION: FOUNDERS DAY '90 PAGE: VT14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Etgen was student programs coordinator and later department head at the University of Rhode Island before coming to Virginia Tech, where he has been an outstanding teacher, advisor, placement coordinator and curriculum club advisor in the College of Agriculture and Life Science since his arrival in 1969.
In nominating Etgen for the advising award, dairy science department head Bill Vinson said, "By any standard one cares to use, Bill Etgen stands apart as a classroom instructor, student counselor, curriculum club advisor, and true friend of students. He excels, surely, from a tireless application of unique abilities, but equally because he genuinely cares about students."
His concern for students' development extends beyond the classroom. For 16 years he was the senior advisor to the Virginia Tech Dairy Club, transforming it from a relatively inactive organization of about 30 individuals into the outstanding undergraduate dairy club in the nation. During his past 16 years at the Dairy Club's helm, the club was selected eight times as the nation's best, was runner-up four other years and never finished out of the top four.
His work in the classroom has been recognized by the University, by honor societies and by national professional organizations. He has to his credit the University Wine Award, the Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Excellence Award, and the American Dairy Science Outstanding Teaching Award.
The teaching awards and the national recognition for Tech's Dairy Club attest to Etgen's excellence, said Vinson, who added: "However, it is his contributions as an advisor, counselor and friend of students that have meant the most to our undergraduate programs and to the careers and lives of our students."
Etgen obviously is very popular with students but not because he takes it easy on them. Student evaluations consistently rate his courses as significantly more difficult than average. It is Etgen's philosophy, colleagues say, "that we do students no favor by telling them something is correct, or planned thoroughly, or well executed, when it is not."
Surveys of dairy science alumni show that the appreciation for Etgen's care and counsel does not diminish over time. They consistently name him as the one individual, other than their parents, who has had the greatest influence on their lives. As one of Etgen's current students noted, he "is often called upon by former students and graduates for assistance in important career moves, farm purchases and personal and professional decisions."
But Etgen doesn't give advice or the solution to problems, instead he provides the guidance that allows students to find their own answers. As one student said, "Solutions to problems were not always handed to me, but required initiative and thought on my part as well. I feel that this has better prepared me for the way things will be after graduation."
Another student who has sought Etgen's counsel on both academic and personal matters said, "Do you know what the best part is? He has never, and probably will never, make a decision for me. He simply points me in the right direction and acts as a crutch in case I have trouble `walking.' Learning by experience occasionally involves making a couple of mistakes, but that is the way life works."
She added that Etgen's guidance has made her "realize that I am competent (to make) my own decisions and that everything will not be served to me on a silver plater, that a little bit of hard work will get me further than a free ride."
The appreciation expressed by Etgen's current students is shared by colleagues from around the nation as well as Tech alumni. "He is one of the recognized educational leaders in counseling and working with students . . . His influence is beyond measure," said John R. Campbell, president of Oklahoma State University.
Another colleague, Peter W. Spike, said, "During my personal career at Ohio State University, Bill has provided the model which I have endeavored to emulate."
But possibly the greatest testament of the lasting value of Etgen's efforts came from Rocky Mountain veterinarian Richard L. Wilkes, who said, "He influenced, encouraged, and followed my development more than any other teacher that I knew as either an undergraduate or a professional student.
"I will be sending another generation of Wilkes boys to Virginia Tech. I hope that . . . future administrators will secure another generation of Bill Etgens."
by CNB