Where We Are 
Online Business Guidebook Debuts
Students, faculty, and staff celebrated the publication of the Online Business Guidebook by Professor Alan Abrahams and his business information technology students at a recent launch party in Pamplin Hall.
Attendees at the party examined copies of the hot-off-the-press guidebook and enjoyed cake, punch, and candies imprinted with the guidebook logo. They could sign up at onsite computers to order copies from Amazon, sponsor or advertise in the guidebook, donate to the guidebook organization, or volunteer with the organization. The event was open to the Virginia Tech community and organized by Sara DiMantova, a senior from Goochland, Va.
Abrahams welcomed the guests, who included Pamplin Dean Richard E. Sorensen; Bernie Niemeier, publisher of Virginia Business magazine; Chuck Terrell, vice president of workforce development at Virginia Western Community College; Cory Donovan, executive director of NewVA Corridor Technology Council; Dave Nutter, Virginia Tech economic development specialist and a Virginia delegate who serves on the science and technology committee; Larry Hincker, Virginia Tech associate vice president of University Relations; Melissa Richards, Virginia Tech director of marketing and strategic relations; Phil Stevens of Soupbone Creative, who assisted with the publication’s design; Eva Brumberger, an associate professor of English; and Michele James-Deramo, Virginia Tech director of service learning.
Abrahams thanked and presented awards to guidebook organization CEO Mike Levisay (who graduated last December) and the students on the print, marketing, sales, Web, and finance and administration teams for their "magnificent work."
He presented Outstanding Contribution Awards, comprising an acrylic trophy and an Amazon gift voucher, to the following students: Kenneth Black, finance and administration team member; Sean Elble, Web team member; Sara DiMantova, sales associate; Damon Silva, sales team project manager; Tirna Singh, editor-in-chief; and Lauren Taylor, sales team leader.
Nine other outstanding students received Amazon gift vouchers: Kara Batt, print team member; Carrick Hines, sales team member; Shannon Jones, marketing team member; Bharat Khanna, Web team member; Will Lindner, chief technology officer; Chris Perry, finance team member; Sarah Smith, grant writer; Chris VanEvery, executive director; and Anthony Wu, chief financial officer.
Gift baskets and flowers were presented to Pamplin staff members Tracy McCoy, for administrative support for the students, and Sookhan Ho, for publicity management.
Read more about the Online Business Guidebook at these links.