Session 2: Program & Seating Map, 7:00 p.m.
ORDER OF CEREMONY
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023, 7:00 P.M.
PROCESSIONAL OF STAGE PARTY
NATIONAL ANTHEM
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
Nelson Chu
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING SENIOR
Yasmin Farzan, CHE
MESSAGE TO GRADUATES
Julie Ross, Dean
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Introduction of Candidates
Keith Thompson, Associate Dean Academic Affairs
Diplomas presented by:
Biological Systems Engineering
Dwayne Edwards
Chemical Engineering
Steven Wrenn
Computer Science
Calvin J. Ribbens
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Luke F. Lester
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Eileen Van Aken
Materials Science and Engineering
Suneel Kodambaka
Mining and Minerals Engineering
Erik Westman
CLOSING COMMENTS
Julie Ross, Dean
RECESSIONAL OF STAGE PARTY
NOTABLE STUDENT AWARDS
College of Engineering Outstanding Senior
Yasmin Farzan
First in Class
Evan N. Allen, ECE
Michael G. Atkins Jr., CS
Thomas S. Deverin, CS
Andrew L. Fitter, CS
Atharva A. Haldankar, CS
Kyle W. Lowe, BSE
Shelby V. Platner, MSE
Aniruthan Ramadoss, CS
Patrick C. Riley, CS
Matthew J. Saltus, CS
William T. Swain, CS
Mohammed Madni M. Vaid Jr., CS
Jonathan R. West, CS
Timothy P. Wu, CS
Distinguished Alumnus: Nelson Chu
As an electrical engineering student, Nelson Chu ’88 learned the importance of juggling a rigorous workload with social activities and extracurriculars. He jokes that his nickname in college was “Sleepy” because he was constantly losing sleep from mastering this balance.
Now a venture capitalist with Kinetic Ventures, L.L.C., he deftly shifts between business and technical knowledge to develop successful investment strategies — all while finding ways to give back to the community. Chu says the real key to success is quickly and effectively solving other people’s “hair on fire” problems. Chu will share these insights and more with Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering graduates as the Distinguished Alumni Speaker for the spring 2023 commencement ceremonies on May 13.
After developing an interest in electromagnetic wave theory at Virginia Tech, Chu went on to study this topic further at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated with an M.S. in electrical engineering in 1990. Chu entered the workforce as a development manager at Oracle Corporation in California. Three years later, he returned to Harvard University to receive his MBA. In 1995, Chu settled in Atlanta, Georgia, as a senior associate at McKinsey and Company. For the past 25 years, he has been the managing director at Kinetic Ventures, L.L.C., an early- and growth-stage investor in rural broadband, digital infrastructure, and enterprise software.
Chu and his wife, Mary ’87, met as resident advisors in one of the few coed residence halls at the time, East Ambler Johnston. They now live in Atlanta with their three children.
Seating Map
