(Photo: Virginia Tech)
The Virginia Tech Undergraduate Man and Woman of the Year awards recognize two graduating students who have achieved overall excellence during their undergraduate careers at the university. They are the most prestigious non-academic undergraduate awards given at Virginia Tech and are awarded to those students who have exceptional and balanced achievement in academics, leadership, and service. The recipients exemplify the qualities and values important to a Virginia Tech education, captured in the university motto,Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
Duffy is a University Honors student who has made the Dean’s List every semester. He currently has a perfect 4.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). Duffy will graduate in December 2014.
“Tim has taken advantage of every opportunity,” said Robert P. Stephens, associate dean for undergraduate affairs, associate professor of history, and associate principal in theHonors Residential College. “He has proven himself an exceptional undergraduate scholar, a dedicated and widely admired leader, and a man who truly embodies Ut Prosim as a way of life.”
As credit division head for BASIS (Bond and Security Investing by Students), Duffy worked with other students to successfully manage a $5 million fund for the university. He gained further practical experience in internships with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Duffy traveled to Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, as a Presidential Global Scholar. He was named scholar of the year by his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi.
Duffy earned numerous competitive scholarships, including the Joseph R. Jenkins Scholarship in Accounting, John W. Fox Memorial Scholarship, Cooke Honors Scholarship, Pamplin Rising Junior Merit Scholarship, Presidential Alumni Scholarship, Willis P. Blackwood Scholarship, and Pamplin College of Business Freshman Scholarship.
As director of service and president of the Honors Residential College, Duffy led efforts to build a network of vital community relationships. He organized Habitat for Humanity builds, toy and food drives, and forged an award-winning partnership with the Virginia Head Start Association, through which HRC students volunteer at local preschools on a weekly basis.
He spent winter break on a service trip to Dangriga, Belize, with other Hokies, where they taught computer literacy skills to teachers and helped rebuild a community playground. Duffy said, “It was enormously moving to receive such immense gratitude for teaching skills we often take for granted.” He also took an active role in the Newman Community.
Derek D. Klock, assistant professor of practice in finance, said, “While he certainly strives for excellence both inside and outside of the classroom, Tim’s willingness and ability to enable those around him to achieve this same excellence is what I find so special. He always cares about the impact his decisions have on others Ð a true mark of a servant-leader. His innate leadership, service, and outreach ability are likely to make us proud to have awarded this honor to him years from now.”
Duffy is the son of Michael and Virginia Duffy.
(Source: Virginia Tech News, Written by Sandy Broughton)