Events and news

2025

We're thrilled to share that Dr. Wang has been recognized in a recent university-wide survey as an outstanding researcher, identified by peers as someone whose work they strive to emulate.

As a result of this recognition, Dr. Wang has been invited to join the inaugural cohort of the IREI (Innovative Research and Ethical Impact) Fellows Program — a prestigious initiative led by Virginia Tech’s Office of Research and Innovation and funded by the NSF.

The IREI program is part of a university-wide effort to enhance research integrity through community-driven leadership and innovation.

Dr. Le Wang served as keynote speaker at two prestigious global events in spring of 2025

The Fifth Forum of China’s Intergenerational Mobility - Dr. Wang presenting

5th Annual SEEDS Conference on Global Development hosted by Georgia Institute of Technology - Dr. Wang and participants pose on stairs

5th Annual SEEDS Conference on Global Development hosted by Georgia Institute of Technology
The Fifth Forum of China’s Intergenerational Mobility

Dr. Mario A. Ortez spoke at the 2025 Agribusiness Management Producer’s Meeting in March

image of powerpoint slide — Dr. Ortez's session, “From Ledger to Profitability: How Financial Statements Can Help You Guide a Solid Agribusiness Model", focused on how financial tools like partial budgets and discounted cash flow can be applied strategically to guide both short-term decisions and long-term investments in diverse farm operations. Thank you to our partners USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Southern Risk Management Education Center

Main Street Buena Vista

People standing in front of building that reads Buena Vista — Mario Ortez (Collegiate Assistant Professor of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship and James A. and Renae C. Pearson Collegiate Faculty Fellow) and Agri-Food Finance Fellows are greeted by Brooke Dalton (outgoing executive director of Main Street Buena Vista), Jen Carpenter (incoming director), and Kristina Ramsey (Economic Development Director for the City of Buena Vista).

The Main Street Buena Vista partnership explores economic opportunities for the city, which is trying to brand itself as a regional outdoor destination. Kohl Agri-Food Finance Fellow, McKenzie Marker, will lead a team of students to use financial modeling, market analysis, and marketing concepts while leveraging advanced data analytics tools.

Southern Regional Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge

Mario Ortez Diarymen's Association Challenge in Radford VA

Challenge: Mario A. Ortez recently participated as a finance mentor and panelist at the 2024 Southern Regional Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, hosted by Virginia Tech in Radford, VA. The Challenge aims to develop future dairy leaders by promoting education, communication, and networking among students, dairy producers, and industry professionals. He shared insights with students from various schools across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic about financial tools for on-farm decision-making and career opportunities in the agrifood sector. The Centre's namesake, David Kohl was the keynote speaker.

Diarymen's Association Challenge in Radford VA

Causality and Machine Learning/AI workshop

Workshop: The Kohl Centre hosted a workshop in November to explore the vital connections between causality and machine learning/AI technologies. The day-long event attracted presenters and participants from Cornell University, Georgetown University, University of Chicago, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Arkansas, UC Irvine, and from departments across Virginia Tech.

Jacek Kibilda, research associate professor with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech, presents at the Kohl Centre workshop. Photo courtesy of Yifan Wang for Virginia Tech.

Conference presentation

Conference: Le Wang, Professor and David M. Kohl Chair, shared insights on the functional quantile regression approach to estimating intergenerational mobility at a recent conference at the University of Chicago. The event focused on ‘Recent Advances in Inequality and Mobility’ and brought together top scholars in the field, fostering valuable dialogue and collaboration.

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Le Wang, Professor and David M. Kohl Chair for the Kohl Centre, shared insights on the functional quantile regression approach to estimating intergenerational mobility at a recent conference at the University of Chicago. — Le Wang presenting on the functional quantile regression approach to estimating intergenerational mobility

Industry stakeholder meeting

Industry meeting: AAEC met with key stakeholders, Farm Credit, Virginia Agribusiness Council, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Soybean Association, and Virginia State Dairymen's Association, to present the Kohl Centre leadership and to share updates on the department and Commodity Investment by Students organization projects. The focus was on fostering collaboration and enhancing experiential learning opportunities for our students.

Visit with stakeholders in Richmond VA - sitting around a table on 9.17.24 — Visit with stakeholders in Richmond VA Sept. 17, 2024