Community Response in the Face of Tragedy by Dr. Jerzy Novak

As of July 2008 Dr. Jerzy Nowak has been appointed as Founding Director of a new Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention (http://www.cpsvp.vt.edu/). Prior to this appointment he served as Professor and Head of the Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech (2000-2008), coming from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC), Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he worked for 16 years as Professor of Plant Biotechnology (1984-2000) and Head of the Department of Plant Science (1997-2000). As researcher, educator and administrator he always facilitated integration of advanced technologies into the development of low input agricultural production systems and socio-economic sustainability of rural communities, including dealing with youth at risk. As Founding Director of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, Dr. Nowak fosters development of transdisciplinary programs that build on cultural, academic, and security initiatives of the university’s community that evolved after the tragedy of April 16, 2007. The Center has adopted three thematic areas that capture, focus, and leverage key strengths across the university and provide opportunities for partnerships with external entities: prevention of violence, peace studies, and development of new leaders for this Century.