HU Sr. VP receives Virginia Tech Alumni Award

Hampton, VA - Virginia Tech honored alumnus Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Hampton University, with the Alumni Distinguished Service Award during the university's commencement celebration on May 12. Jamison earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from Virginia Tech.

"This award is a fitting recognition of Calvin's service to his alma mater and the Commonwealth," said Dr. William E. Lavery, former president of Virginia Tech. "He provided strong leadership as a student, staff member and a member of the community. He is an inspiring example and mentor to all. We are very proud of him and his family."

The Virginia Tech Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award is presented annually to recognize distinguished achievement, personal and/or professional, in any field of endeavor of enduring significance and value to society.

"We are pleased and honored to present Dr. Jamison with this award," said Alumni Vice President Dr. Thomas C. Tillar Jr. "An outstanding member of his community, Jamison has dedicated many years of service and leadership to Virginia Tech and to the university's Black Alumni Organization." .

"Virginia Tech has over 190,000 alumni and to be so honored is very special and a tribute to my family and the mentors I've had over the years." Jamison said.

"This is a great honor and the selection speaks well of Dr. Jamison's accomplishments," said HU President William R. Harvey

Jamison joined Hampton University after serving the city of Richmond, Va., as CEO/city manager. During his administration, the City experienced almost $4 billion in new development, an unprecedented three bond rating upgrades in two years resulting in $25 million in savings, a new $170 convention center, Federal Courts Building, major upscale shopping park anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, renovation of the Coliseum, a reduction in overall crime rate, and an increase in citizenship satisfaction. Prior to serving as city manager of Richmond, Jamison spent seven years with the Ethyl Corporation and fourteen years in higher education with faculty and administrative roles at Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech including assistant to the President at Virginia Tech. He provided leadership for the largest increase in minority student enrollment in the university's history, including many prominent student athletes and alumni leaders. He is also a former "Cadmus Leader in Residence" at the University of Richmond.

Throughout his career, Jamison has been involved in numerous government, education, and art organizations. He has served as chair of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, chair, Virginia Employment Commission Board of Directors, president of the Arts Council of Richmond, Chairman of the Leadership Metro Richmond Board of Directors, and on the board of directors of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the Pamplin College of Business Advisory Council. Jamison also serves on the Board of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Jamestown 2007, and he helped create and has provided long-standing leadership to the university's Black Alumni Organization.