By education, Associate Dean of Academics Antoine Alston, Ph.D. is an Aggie and a Cyclone – and now, he’s also a Hokie.

In recognition of his more-than-25-year partnership with the university, the Department of Agriculture, Leadership and Community Education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Virginia Tech for short – has named Alston an honorary alumnus. At a ceremony this spring, Alston was recognized for encouraging more than 40 N.C. A&T students to attend graduate school in Virginia Tech’s ALCE department, and in other agricultural programs within the university.

“I’m very honored to receive the Honorary Alumni Award,” Alston said. “I’ve had a longstanding relationship with Virginia Tech. I have several colleagues there, but I also send students there, and many times have served on their graduate committees. Three of our current faculty members, Drs. Chastity English, Shannon Wiley, and Chantel Simpson, are former students of mine that I sent to Virginia Tech for their terminal degrees. It has been a blessing.”