As a second-year master's student with the Charles Edward Via Jr. department of civil and environmental engineering, Matt Gwaltney, of Chester, Va., had dedicated himself to his research and to helping future engineers as a teaching assistant.
Gwaltney received an undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in 2005 as a civil engineer, focused on environmental and water resources engineering, according to Tech's environment innovations website.
Gwaltney was nearly finished with his master's degree, as he studied small watershed in Blacksburg, as well as stormwater management.
In addition to his own research, Gwaltney was a teaching assistant for three different classes, including fluid mechanics, measurements and engineering exploration, a freshman class.
Andrew Smith, a civil engineering student, remembers Gwaltney's dedication through labs for civil engineers in CEE 2814: Measurements.
"One lab, (Gwaltney) stuck it out with us through a thunderstorm and two hours of rain, just to help my group along and made sure we finished," Smith said in a Facebook memorial group.
Christine Vineski, one of many students who knew Gwaltney as a graduate teaching assistant for engineering exploration, remembers Gwaltney's concern for his students.
"He was so helpful with anything we had problems with and he answered any questions we had within seconds," she said. "He was always concerned about everybody's success in the class. He always asked questions that would make us think."
Dominic Liss, a freshman engineering major, recalls a time when Gwaltney went above and beyond to help him finish a class project. Liss had a difficult time finishing a project, but Gwaltney was willing to come into the office whenever Liss needed help with the assignment.
"He didn't come off as a teacher, but a friend who was there to help us," Liss said.
Jayme Maddox, another student in the class for which Gwaltney was a T.A., notes his enjoyment for educating.
"I know that if someone can actually, (as) a college student, come to a Friday class and enjoy it, that's an amazing accomplishment… He treated his students like they were his friends and made us feel comfortable in the class … He quickly became my favorite educator at Virginia Tech and continues to retain that title," wrote Maddox in an e-mail interview.
Chris Hawkins remembers his days with Gwaltney when the two lived across from each other in Pritchard Hall.
He said that Gwaltney was "always smiling and had an almost unreal sense of being positive about everything. He loved sports, was a huge Braves fan and never missed a VT football or basketball game."
Gwaltney, an avid sports fan, and the sports editor of his high school newspaper, was often seen playing basketball.
On a post to a CNN article, his long-time neighbor, Chris Bonham, also of Chester, wrote, "I remember years ago when we would play a pickup basketball game in his driveway, or get a bunch of guys to play football in his backyard, or when we would play homerun derby."
In a life filled with research, teaching and sports, Gwaltney will best be remembered for the always-visible smile on his face.
