Johnny Underwood, Equipment and Facilities Specialist for Mechanical Engineering, is a 2022 nominee for the Virginia Tech President's Award for Excellence.

Melissa Williams, operations manager for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, wrote in a letter of nomination: “Johnny has been the face of the department throughout the COVID lab shutdowns and, once reopened, ensured that faculty and students were following protocol over the past year and a half. Understanding the importance of each faculty’s research and the importance of research to the university, Johnny would assist each lab individually to enable grants to continue. Knowing how important it is for students to graduate on time, Johnny made sure that protective supplies were always in place when needed. This is not an easy task as we are spread over 19 different locations. Johnny is hard working, a team player in every sense, and exemplifies a true sense of Ut Prosim.”

The award, established in 1990 by President James D. McComas, is an annual recognition of full-time staff for their outstanding contributions and consistently excellent performance for Virginia Tech.