University History]]>
In this interview, Bertram Kinzey covers his childhood in Berea, Ohio, attending Virginia Tech during World War II, and his career upon graduating. ]]> 2016-05-19]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech. ]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Virginia Tech. ]]> University History]]> Tara Fortune
Jeryl Payne
Kaye Pereras]]> 2016-04-22]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech. ]]> Natalie Strawn Kelly, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
During his time at Virginia Tech, Lionberger was a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the Commandant’s staff, the Alpha Phi OMega Service Fraternity, the Scabbard and Blade Society, associate judge in the Cadet Honor Court, and also served as class president.

Following graduation, Lionberger served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where in 1964 he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Shortly after his service, Lionberger returned home to his native Roanoke and joined his family’s construction businesses, Lionberger Construction. He served as president and then chief executive officer from 1975 until his retirement in 2010. His loyal service and devotion to his beloved alma mater culminated in membership and active participation on wide-ranging boards and foundations including: the Virginia Tech Foundation Board of Directors, the national Campaign Steering Committee of the Campaign for Virginia Tech: Invent the Future, the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake Board of Trustees, the Virginia Tech Alumni Board, and the advisory boards of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, and the School of Building Construction. With his wife, Loridna, Lionberger also holds membership in the President’s circle of the Ut Prosim society which is dedicated to recognizing the leaders of philanthropy in their generous giving to the university. Further, in keeping in line with the university’s motto, Lionberger’s community outreach includes service o the Roanoke Corps of the Salvation Army, the Military Family Support Center, and numerous other college and business boards. Lionberger’s dedication to the university culminated in 2012 when he was awarded the Ruffner
Medal, Virginia Tech’s highest honor for distinguished and honorable service.

Often left speechless about the remarkable impact of Virginia Tech has had on his life, Lionberger alludes to the caring nature of the university and traditions of the university that leave a lasting impression on employers. When speaking to what a Hokie is, Lionberger mentions the integrity and honesty of Virginia Tech students. For Lionberger, his education at Virginia Tech has successfully allowed him to be active and to give back tenfold to the University he so deeply and passionately cares about and to live up to the motto of Ut Prosim.
]]> 2015-05-12]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Sam Lionberger, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
Growing up, Nick witnessed the nation’s triumphant endeavors to explore space and he saw himself as a member of a generation being challenged to progress the fields of exploration and technologies. Encouraged to push new boundaries, Nick appreciated the opportunities for research that Virginia Tech provided, so he enrolled as an Aerospace Engineering major. He then came to rely on faculty mentors to guide him through his coursework and undergraduate research. With their help, he excelled in his studies and became introduced to undergraduate work with data from the wind tunnel. During this work, he underwent the transition from manually marking data to computerizing data once the technology became available.

During his graduate studies and his work with the Naval Surface Weapons Center, Nick realized his interest in computers and he eventually began his own computer business around the time when personal computers were being introduced. At the start of his business, Nick supplied software to papermill companies and to close friends. His company quickly grew as he began supplying software to more and more people, and this growth eventually allowed him to meet contemporary up-and-comers in the field, such as Bill Gates, at conferences and presentations.

Nick was also involved in the social aspect of Virginia Tech. He joined Sigma Phi Epsilon, which led to his involvement in many other activities on campus. Through his fraternity he experienced intramural sports, service opportunities, and leadership opportunities within the Aerospace Engineering field. While Nick speaks to the adventurous social side of fraternities, mentioning experience with living in the fraternity house and participating in the start of streaking on campus, he also asserts the importance of the service and knowledge aspects of fraternities, listing opportunities he was given to give back to the community.

Participating in research and fraternity life allowed Nick to get a full experience at Virginia Tech. During his undergraduate years, he witnessed political protests and changes in leadership that ultimately led to big changes in the university.

As an employee at Tech years later, Nick notes the incredible changes that have taken place since the time of his attendance, such as the population size and the continued construction around campus. He also comments on the fact that even though technological advancements and overall development have changed the university, Virginia Tech still holds on to a spirit of community that encourages alumni involvement.]]> 2015-11-20]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Nick Moga, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
In this interview, Gene talks about his early life growing up in Blacksburg during World War II, his years of undergrad (including cadet pranks), and his life and career after. ]]> 2015-11-20]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> University History]]>

Coming to Virginia Tech only four and a half years after WWII, there were still some veterans on campus when John arrived, and the Korean War had just begun. Due to these circumstances, John expected to be drafted. This never came to fruition and John was able to go on from Virginia Tech to get both a master’s and his PhD. All this time, he had been asking for extensions on the date of his call to active duty. However, his PhD was awarded while he was standing for inspection at Aberdeen Proving Ground where he worked in a ballistic research laboratory. A brief stint in teaching at Brown University followed, but John returned to the army after realizing a life in academia wasn’t for him.

John enjoyed his days at Virginia Tech and seems especially grateful for his experience in the Corps of Cadets. He appreciated studying, working, and living with many friends who proved to be a positive influence on his life. He feels that his involvement in the Corps taught him important life lessons and leadership skills.


]]> 2016-05-19]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> John Frasier, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
Levi Daniels, born in Washington D.C., went to Virginia Tech from 2000 to 2005 and studied accounting information systems and management. He became involved in student life his junior year, taking part in the Black Student Alliance, the VT Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and working with international students.

The two met while forming Virginia Tech's Student African American Brotherhood as students. In this interview, Michael and Levi talk about their experiences as racial minorities in a predominately White institution, especially relating to outreach and forming communities.
]]> 2016-04-22]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech,]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
The Corps of Cadets provided Todd with leadership skills that translated into his life after graduation.

After spending four years as a Second Lieutenant Platoon Leader at Fort Meade, Todd attended graduate school at the University of Boulder to study Civil Engineering. He later attended an Officer Advanced Course at Fort Belvoir and Airborne School at Fort Benning. Todd finally made his home in Honolulu, Hawaii working as an Engineer with the Army Corps.

Todd credits the Corps of Cadets for his preparedness when first beginning his professional military career. Furthermore, Todd became a part of the exceptional camaraderie within the Corps of Cadets. He made long-lasting relationships that were rooted in the solid foundation of the Virginia Tech Pylons–Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, Ut Prosim.

Even though Todd’s impressive military career has taken him far from Blacksburg, he stays connected through his involvement with The German Club Foundation and The College of Engineering. Returning to Tech, Todd remarks upon the impressive evolution of the campus where he, too, evolved from student, to soldier, to lifelong Hokie.]]> 2015-10-02]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Todd Barnes, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
Even though he was attending his top school, Barlow almost dropped out during his difficult Rat Year in the Corps of Cadets. However, some encouragement from his mother and physician convinced him to stay.

After graduation, Barlow farmed with his father for four years before being called to serve time in the Air Force. After his two years, he declined the invitation to work full-time with the military to return to his number one passion, farming. Due to his ability as a natural leader, Barlow has been tied to Virginia Tech throughout his adult life. His role as a leader increased while his children were in school; he served on the PTA for fifteen years and during the last five years he was chairman of the schoolboard. During that time, he was also appointed by the Governor to a study commission for agriculture for the state. Barlow was also on the Ag. Counsel and served on the Board of Agriculture Consumer Services for eight years.

During his last three years with the Board of Agriculture Consumer Services, Barlow was elected president. This provided him a seat on the Board of Visitors at Tech. He held his position for three years during the mid-90s. While on the Board of Visitors, Barlow was one of the members who helped elect Dr. Torgersen as President of the University in 1993.

Barlow has taken the University’s motto seriously his entire life, and it shows through his actions.]]> 2015-05-21]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Joseph Barlow, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]>
Throughout his time in the Corps, Jess experienced the seriousness of these values. In his four years, Jess bore witness to two drumming outs–expulsion from the Corps for ethical reasons. The gravity of these ethical standards did not only allow Jess to live in a community of trust and respect, but they also allowed for him to excel in his professional career. Serving in the military after graduation, Jess found his time in the Corps had prepared him to be a better soldier and, more importantly, a better person. Serving in the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam from 1965-1967, Jess was able to apply the ethical principles he developed at Virginia Tech to the world in a time of need. Jess understood the power of strong, steadfast beliefs–the Virginia Tech Pylons never faded from his life.

As a student, as a soldier, as a Hokie, Jess Fowler is a figurehead for ethical excellence. The Virginia Tech Nation prides itself in Hokies like Jess. In the face of adversity, Jess holds fast to this concrete belief that honorable behavior will always prevail.]]> 2015-05-22]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Jess Fowler, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> University History]]> Buddy’s father had also dreamed about attending Virginia Tech, but due to the passing of his father (Buddy’s grandfather), he had to stay home and take over the family farm.

Always a bright student, Russell graduated high school at the age of sixteen and started school at Virginia Tech soon thereafter. At the time, the university had started to grow dramatically. Russell was in awe of the size and scale of his new home. Following graduation, Russell went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education at the University of Maryland in 1959 and his Doctorate in Extension Education at the University of Wisconsin in 1964. However, the mountains of southwest Virginia called him back home as he joined the Alumni Association and served as director in 1968. During his tenure the growth of alumni expanded to nearly 130,000 before his retirement in 1995. Russell also held positions as the former president of the Old Guard, member of the Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets Board of Directors, and currently the Vice President Emeritus for Alumni Relations.

The relationship between Virginia Tech and Buddy Russell is as strong as the Hokie Stone. In the same vein, Russell see’s a similar bond between the surrounding community and the university. Virginia Tech is truly home for Buddy Russell and his dedication and passion for the university is felt throughout his story.]]> 2015-05-15]]> Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Buddy Russell, VT Stories]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript ]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]> Sexual minorities]]> University History]]>
In this oral history interview, Dunkenberger discusses her first marriage and children before coming out to her family in her 30s. She also discusses being out in Virgina, her involvement in LGBTQ community, and issues related to LGBTQ and other minorities at Virginia Tech and in Virginia. In particular, she discusses issues surrounding being gay and religious, legal issues concerning gay marriage, and the LGBTQ climate survey at Virginia Tech.]]> 2014-11-06]]> Permission to publish material from the Virginia Tech LGBTQ Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.]]> Click here for synced audio and transcript]]> Oral histories]]> Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech]]>