Virginia Tech acknowledged as ORAU Sponsoring Institution
Congratulations to the FLSI’s very own Janet Webster, Director of Proposal Development, who recently received Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Sponsoring Institution of the Year, award for Virginia Tech for FY 2025. The award was presented during the 2026 Annual Council Meeting in March.
The Research and University Partnerships Office of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) established a Recognition Program in 2023 to honor their member universities who are the most active in membership activities during each fiscal year. With a membership of 161 universities, active participation in all the benefits offered vary each year.
The Sponsoring Institution of the Year award reflects how the Research and University Partnerships Office staff wish to express their appreciation to the members who are leading the way and setting such a great example of university engagement with ORAU.
In their announcement, the ORAU offered Janet their congratulations:
“Janet, as our ORAU Councilor, we congratulate Virginia Tech! On behalf of the RUPO team, thank you for your outstanding leadership and we look forward to even more engagement.”
The Oak Ridge Association of Universities states on its website that its mission is to strengthen “the nation’s workforce by developing scientific and technical workers, connecting talent and expertise, and improving the health, safety, and resilience of the communities where they live and work to achieve scientific discovery and economic growth.”
“It is terrific to see high-level external recognition of excellence through collaborative efforts led by an individual at Virginia Tech," said Rob McCarley, Executive Director of Fralin Life Sciences Institute. "Webster embodies so many aspects of the Ut Prosim spirit in her roles at the University and beyond. ORAU’s recognition of Dr. Webster’s impactful efforts with OARU activities show just how much of an effect her contributions are having. The Institute and Virginia Tech are fortunate to have our outward-facing conduit to ORAU headed up by such a committed and talented leader.”
Click on the link for more information about the Oak Ridge Association of Universities.