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Road Rename Honors Professor Andy Ruppel

	The portion of Hospital Drive in front of Robertson Hall has been renamed "Ruppel Drive."

It’s been said that the road to success is always under construction. That’s certainly been true for Andy Ruppel, who was under the impression he was retiring in 2001 after a successful, three-decade career as a professor at McIntire. What Ruppel didn’t realize is that his retirement wouldn’t last long—and that he’d be back in the construction zone so soon.

In fact, the former chair of McIntire’s Building Committee played such a key role in the “Back to the Lawn” building project that the University Board of Visitors has honored him by renaming the portion of Hospital Drive in front of Robertson Hall “Ruppel Drive.”

“This recognition is so well deserved, given Andy’s many years of devoted and unselfish commitment to the Commerce School and the University,” says McIntire Dean Carl Zeithaml, who made the surprise announcement to an auditorium filled with faculty and staff. The audience responded to the announcement by giving Ruppel a standing ovation.

“Honoring Andy in this way is the right thing to do for lots of reasons,” says McIntire Associate Dean for Administration Gerry Starsia, who oversaw the “Back to the Lawn” project. “I was a newcomer to U.Va., and Andy educated me in many ways and helped me acclimate to the culture. He was a great source of knowledge and a tireless worker. He went to every project meeting and always brought good ideas with him. Through the process, it was clear why so many people across Grounds trust his judgment and why so many people respect his integrity. Andy had a way of quietly solving problems while never calling attention to himself.”

True to form, Ruppel declined to be photographed for this article. The Ruppel Drive sign stands at the intersection of (what was formerly known as) Hospital Drive and Jefferson Park Avenue.
 

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