University History]]> Aerospace engineers]]>
Despite growing up in the Depression era, Kraft enjoyed his childhood. Nevertheless, he is not a stranger to hardship. One event that drastically affected his future was a fall into a fire at age three that badly burnt his right hand. This burn would later keep Kraft from entering the service during WWII, making him one of the few students at Virginia Tech able to continue their education despite wartime demands.

Kraft shares that his mother, “the greatest woman he’s ever known”, was the person who made his education possible and sent him to Virginia Tech.

Kraft undertook his college education as a student in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech. Once Kraft entered Virginia Tech, the university was operating on a 12-month schedule because of WWII, and he graduated in just 2 years with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Though Kraft wanted to join the military and fight, he was told my a doctor conducting physicals that “we need engineers probably worse than we need soldiers,” and so Chris went back to Virginia Tech. Kraft recalls it being difficult for students at Virginia Tech who were unable to serve. Kraft remembers thinking “I am in the shelter of Virginia Tech and not…able to serve the country.”

Though he attended Virginia Tech during a tumultuous time, Chris has very fond memories of his time as a student. His camaraderie with fellow students, his relationships with his professors, and going to events such as the Ring Dance are all important and special memories for Chris. His drive eventually led to his election as President of the Corps of Cadets and his becoming what he calls the “BMOC:” the Big Man on Campus. Though he was at Virginia Tech for only a couple of years, Kraft believes it was his time on campus that prepared him for his future career and gave him leadership training.

By age 20, Kraft was a Tech graduate and a man with a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Kraft went on from an early position as a flight test engineer to becoming flight director, and eventually developing the US version of a mission control center.

In the late 1950’s, Chuck Matthews, a friend of Chris who also worked for NACA, came to him and asked if he would like to join a team that was at the time called the space task group, which operated in Houston, Texas.

While working for the space program, Kraft helped develop the spacecraft, train flight controllers, and focused on the details of the plan, especially regarding safety and the astronauts. Chris remembers there being countless questions to answer in order to ensure safety and success, and feeling the responsibility of carefully answering those questions.

Due to his involvement in the space program, Kraft now has more awards than he can count. Medals, magazine covers, and never-ending praise are just by-products of his revolutionary roles at NACA where he changed the trajectory of man’s future in space. Looking back on his life and the chain of events that led him to where he is today, Kraft recalls humble beginnings and a fervency for leadership that was developed during his time as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech. He states that Virginia Tech “is where I became a human being and a man,” giving him the foundation for his future success.

Due to his prominence and intelligence, Chris was invited to join the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech, which he accepted. During his time on the Board of Visitors and following, Chris watched Virginia Tech grow from a small military school to the large, renowned university that it is today. Though Virginia Tech has grown a lot since Chris attended, he is proud of the way the campus and students still have the same Hokie pride and retain a sense of the original purpose of the university. He says that “I have a great respect for the…spirit and the attitude that exists on the Virginia Tech campus. I think it has a certain amount of discipline associated with it still, and I like that.”

Today, Chris believes that Virginia Tech made him into the person he is, and that Virginia Tech gave him the opportunities that he had in his life. Chris says that without his education and experience at Virginia Tech, “I probably would have ended up being an apprentice in Newport News building ships….Virginia Tech gave me the broad capability to be willing to accept the responsibilities that I had as I went along.”

Throughout his life and career working for NASA, Chris demonstrated Hokie excellence and spirit, and remains a proud Virginia Tech alum today.

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2017-04-29]]> Chris Kraft, VT Stories]]> Oral histories]]>
University History]]>
Being at Tech in the ‘60s allowed Muller to witness certain aspects of the university that were specific to that time period. For instance, instead of filling up Lane Stadium on game days, Muller and the rest of the student body at the time packed into War Memorial to support their university while Lane Stadium underwent construction. Additionally, students ate meals in Shanks Hall, which today houses Virginia Tech’s English department. During this time Muller made the less-than-fond memory of registering for classes through a system, described by Muller as “archaic”, that did not allow students to chose the professor they wanted.

Muller speaks highly of the education he was able to receive at Virginia Tech, and he remains particularly grateful to the College of Science. He learned and appreciated the willingness of professors to work outside of class time and how helpful the advisors were with choosing classes, and he recognized the importance of these people in his collegiate and postgraduate success.

Following the acquisition of his degree in General Sciences, Muller attended John Marshall Law School, graduating in 1975, and George Washington Law School, graduating in 1978. During law school, Muller saw the benefits of having a science background which allowed him to think analytically about legal situations in ways his peers could not.

After completing his education, Muller worked for an oil licensing company in Virginia for ten years, and then left to work for Shell Oil Company. While holding these jobs, Muller also dedicated time to travel back to Blacksburg, first from his home near D.C. and later from his home in Texas, to give volunteer lectures and teach courses at Virginia Tech.

Since graduation, Muller remains dedicated and attached to Virginia Tech. Throughout his life he has worked to exemplify the spirit of Ut Prosim that was instilled in him years ago. Along with making frequent trips to the university to voluntarily instruct for the College of Science, he also worked as a volunteer with the fire department and as a volunteer at the Houston Zoo. Muller spent about 15 years educating Virginia Tech students; this led to his induction into the College of Science Hall of Distinction in 2013, described by Muller as a “humbling and tremendous honor.”

As for the future of the university, Muller would like to see an increase in diversity among faculty and students. He has a heart for students from rural schools that offer less opportunities than those in highly populated communities, and desires more outreach towards these students. The opportunities and lessons he received at Virginia Tech have stayed with him to this day. Most notably, Muller learned to do what is right, even when what is right is inconvenient or difficult.

What is Virginia Tech to Kim Muller? Primarily, it is an excellent, solid education. It is a positive experience in a beautiful place, to where he will always feel a fond connection. More than just his alma mater, Virginia Tech is and will always be a place he can call home.]]>
2017-04-29]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Kim Muller, VT Stories]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]>
University History]]>
Transitions in social justice, feminism, and race were just a few prevalent issues circulating during their time on campus. Looking back, Wesley and Linda are grateful to have attended Virginia Tech together, and they feel a strong bond to the university to this day.

Both originating from Newport News, VA, the Pattersons come from similar backgrounds. He was the first in his family to go to college; she came from a very frugal family who encouraged her to value education, especially as a woman. From an early age, her family instilled gender equality in Linda at high importance. Her father, another VT alum, was the primary influence on her decision to attend Tech. While Wesley and Linda were in Blacksburg, he loved to visit them every chance he got.

Linda and Wesley were paired in the same eighth grade biology class by their last name – little did they know that would be the start of a lifelong relationship. Together at Tech, they made many fond memories, including times at the dining hall, experiences with standout professors, and streaking across campus. One professor in particular would determine if it would be a good or bad day of class depending on if a book he threw landed on the desk or the floor; the Pattersons had several professors with memorable quirks.

The quality of education at Tech is one of the things the Pattersons have appreciated in years following. The power of having a VT education on her resume, Linda claims, helped her move forward after graduation. Wesley’s architecture courses pushed him to think “without rules” and prioritize working with projects on time outside of class. In Linda’s experience, she had no one mentor in particular who influenced her. Rather, the high quality of expertise exhibited by professors in the math and psychology spheres impressed her.

Back in the 70’s, Virginia Tech was relatively secluded from revolutionary protests and demonstrations. Fortunately, Linda was able to pursue her passions in math and psychology without much opposition to her being a woman in a man-dominated field. When she transitioned into her position as a NASA flight controller for space shuttle guidance and navigation/control officer in 1976, she faced sexism in the workplace. Instead of letting herself be overshadowed by oppression, she stood her ground. Despite sexist comments and tension, Linda fought to prove her capability and work ethic was just as impressive as her coworkers. She went on to manage the international space station for the MCC control group in 1990.

After graduation, Wesley went on to work with an architecture firm. He credits Virginia Tech for teaching him to embrace the freedom of exploring problems and finding new ways to solve them. The lessons he learned in his time at school helped to set him apart from competitors and develop his communication skills.

Their experiences at Virginia Tech have had a powerful impact on the Pattersons, and they continually give back to the community that shaped them. They started as Hokies together; they continue to share Hokie pride, spirit, and memories, together. ]]>
2017-04-29]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Wesley and Linda Patterson, VT Stories]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]>