MED PROGRAM GRANTED PRELIMINARY ACCREDITATION STATUS
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine announced June 3 that the school's educational program leading to the doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Indicating that the school meets nationally accepted standards of educational quality, preliminary accreditation is the final step necessary for the school to recruit students and begin operation. The school's first class of 42 aspiring physicians will begin their studies in the fall of 2010 and are anticipated to graduate with an M.D. degree in the spring of 2014. "Preliminary accreditation for Virginia Tech Carilion is a direct result of the vision by leadership at Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic to capitalize on core strengths at each of these institutions," says Cynda Johnson, founding dean and president of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. "This is also a testament to the incredible amount of determination, collaboration, and creativity of the Virginia Tech Carilion team. I am very proud of the team and thrilled to begin recruiting our first class."
VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
Virginia Cooperative Extension has revamped its online presence with a new website that connects citizens with the research-based knowledge at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. The new Extension websiteincludes a directory of local offices and research centers, details about Extension's program areas, online media kits on seasonal and "evergreen" topics, a list of Extension experts, newsletter and magazine articles, and information about volunteering for and supporting Extension. The site also features publications and educational resources on a variety of topics, including agricultural business, finance, and marketing; foods, nutrition, and health; and community development. In addition, each of the 107 county and city Extension offices in Virginia has a new website complete with office hours and directions, volunteer opportunities, a calendar of local events, news, and other resources. Visit the directory of Extension offices for more information.
FLEET SERVICES MAKES THE SWITCH TO BIODIESEL
As part of its Green Fleet Initiative and in an effort to meet customers' demand for alternative fuel sources, Virginia Tech Fleet Services will begin using B-10 biodiesel for diesel-powered vehicles. The B-10 mixture, which will be supplied through APB Whiting, is a combination of 10 percent biodiesel and 90 percent regular diesel. Biodiesel has successfully completed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health testing under the Clean Air Act and has shown to significantly reduce the harmful emissions that are common in standard diesel usage. Fleet Services will continue to use B10 in the coming years; however, due to the cold-flow properties, it may not be used during the winter months.
