Michael Barry Wagner 1974-1999

Michael Wagner loved nature and enjoyed spending as much of his professional and personal life as possible in the fields, streams, and mountains of Virginia and adjoining states. He was a 1996 graduate of Virginia Tech with BS degrees in Wildlife Sciences and Biology. While at Virginia Tech, Mike was a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Xi Sigma Pi National Forestry Society, and earned USFS certification as a forest firefighter.

Mike was employed by Biological Monitoring Incorporated (BMI) in Blacksburg, Virginia since 1996 and progressed rapidly in the organization to the position of laboratory manager. His fundamental knowledge of federal and state water quality regulations was instrumental in the awarding of several contracts to the company. Although he oversaw laboratory operations at BMI, Mike especially enjoyed frequent research trips into the field, often by helicopter.

Mike's love of nature began at an early age. As a youth he was very active in the 4-H organization where he started enjoying hiking and camping trips. He also took great joy in helping his family raise several German shepherd puppies for the Fidelco Guidedog Foundation of Connecticut. He worked several summers for the Connecticut DEP maintaining parks, hiking trails, and wildlife management areas.

Mike was a member of the Virginia Tech chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity. He enjoyed the camaraderie and brotherhood of fraternity life which engendered a keen sense of loyalty and honor. A self-taught guitarist, Mike loved music of all types. He also had an interest in classic cars and relished driving his 1968 Buick convertible. His favorite activities were hiking and camping in the mountains surrounding Blacksburg and attending NASCAR races with his SAE brothers. It is ironic that Mike died accidentally while camping on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia with several fraternity brothers. Mike will be remembered for his great love of life, unfailing kindness to others, and sense of humor. He had a close, loving relationship with his parents, two sisters, and his extended family.

He is greatly missed by his family and many friends.

The Michael B. Wagner Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Michael B. Wagner Endowed Scholarship Fund will go to Virginia Tech undergraduate students majoring in Wildlife Science in the College of Natural Resources with preference going to one of Mike's Fraternity brothers. The goal is to raise $25,000 during the first 5 years of the fund. Raising $25,000 will allow the scholarship to be awarded annually based on the interest earned on the monies given to the fund. In the case that the goal of $25,000 is not reached during the first 5 years, the money in the fund will be awarded as a one time grant to one or more students.

Additional details and information about gifts to the fund are described in the Scholarship Donation Forms located below. Also note that all gifts are tax deductible, and if you work for an employer who matches charitable gifts, the scholarship fund qualifies for that program.