Mary McClelland
Each year in April, the EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE Alumni Aspire! Award goes to a Virginia Tech alumnus who represents our hopes for all our students – that they live lives of curiosity, integrity, innovation, leadership, success, fulfillment, and that they continue to embody the university’s motto, Ut Prosim, as a way of life.
Today’s recipient is a great friend to Virginia Tech’s students, to Student Affairs, and to the university. On behalf of Student Affairs, it is my honor to present the 2022 Alumni Aspire! Award for EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE to Mary McClelland.
When I think about Ut Prosim and Virginia Tech alumni who have demonstrated service to the university, I think of Mary McClelland. She is a member of the Student Affairs Alumni Board, chair-elect of the Student Affairs Alumni Board campaign committee, and was a driving force behind our very successful Student Affairs’ 2022 Giving Day.
Mary is a Virginia Tech graduate who majored in industrial and systems engineering and was a Resident Advisor. As a student, Mary struggled financially when her family circumstances unexpectedly changed. The university helped her with scholarship aid that made all the difference. That’s why she gives back now.
Recognizing the continued need for endowed scholarships to benefit students at Virginia Tech, Mary and her husband Bob, also a Virginia Tech alumnus, set up an endowed scholarship fund in 2014. The Robert and Mary McClelland Aspire! Ut Prosim Scholarship is given annually to an undergraduate student who is an Ut Prosim Aspire! Award recipient. The scholarship is designated for students who enrich their lives through service to others and takes into account demonstrated financial need.
Mary and Bob created this scholarship to give back to their alma mater and provide expanded opportunities to students in perpetuity. They led the way in establishing the first scholarship for an Aspiration. Is it any surprise it was for UT PROSIM?
At this time, I am also proud to announce that the recipient of the 2022 Robert and Mary McClelland Aspire! Ut Prosim Scholarship is Charity Hall. Charity was our Ut Prosim Aspire! Award recipient last February. Not only does Charity live a life of service – she also encourages others to do the same. Charity could not be with us today but we congratulate her and thank Mary and Bob for making a difference in Charity’s life.
Mary and Bob are active and generous people and together they give broadly across all areas of the university. They have three children. The youngest was admitted to Virginia Tech and will be joining us next fall.
Mary, we are so proud of you and thankful to you for showing what it means to serve others with courage and empathy. Having you as a role model helps students imagine their possibilities for awareness, action, fulfilment, and personal growth. Student Affairs is honored to present you with the Alumni Aspire! Award for EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE.
