Virginia Tech Engineering is excited to announce that Barbara T. Angelotti is being honored with the Virginia Tech Staff Career Achievement Award for the 2019-2020 academic year. 

Barbara served as general administrator in the Occoquan Monitoring Lab. Nicknamed “Mama of the Lab,” she maintained a warm and friendly personality throughout her 34 years as a Virginia Tech employee despite the multitude of obstacles that she had to overcome. She maintained relationships with stakeholders, successfully encouraged a sustainable donation income, and played a crucial role in the transition of directors.

Throughout her lengthy tenure at the lab, Barbara became known for her dedicated relationship with Virginia Tech students. Though students might not traditionally be seen as a priority in a research lab, she made sure they had a seat at the table. She took this quite literally, often inviting students over for a home-cooked meal, and even finding a fully furnished housing for a Chinese Ph.D. student before she arrived in the U.S.

During retirement, Barbara is enjoying time retreating off to the mountains of West Virginia with her husband, Robert. In the future she plans to travel to many places around the world.  In the meantime, she is exploring a number of interests and passions.

Created in 2011 by the university, this award recognizes retiring staff members.  The Staff Career Achievement Award is presented annually to individuals who retired the previous year and who distinguished themselves through exemplary performance and service during their university career.  This year’s selection committee received many excellent nominations from which Barbara was selected.

Take a moment to learn more about the university award winners and to watch the video highlighting their achievements.