VT Stories Oral History with April Cheek-Messier, October 22, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
University History
April Cheek-Messier arrived at Virginia Tech for her master's degree in history in 1996. Prior to coming to Blacksburg, she attended undergraduate school at Hollins, and got a master's degree in both history and English. In the master's program at Virginia Tech, she found comradery with her peers and professors who facilitated her love of history. Coming out of college, she worked at small museums and eventually ended up at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va. Here she works to teach the history of D-Day and World War II, and how Virginia Tech is tied to it.
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Oral histories
VT Stories Oral History with Apryl Alexander, April 21, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
As part of a military family, Apryl Alexander, class of 2005, grew accustomed to a lifestyle that took her to many parts of the world. At Virginia Tech, however, Apryl found a community and a home in which she could finally settle down. Due to the constant movement that characterized her adolescence, April quickly learned to view her pets as companions that followed her through all of her moves, leading her to enter Virginia Tech as a Veterinary Science major. Upon graduating high school, Apryl was immediately immersed in the college lifestyle as part of Virginia Tech’s Student Transition Program. It was within this program that Apryl first began to develop friendships that would last long after the conclusion of her undergraduate education. Along with lifelong friends, Apryl’s experience at Virginia Tech also quickly provided her with mentors that changed the course of her academic and career goals. Through her volunteer position with the Women’s Research Center Apryl realized her affinity for psychological research and she decided to switch her major from Veterinary Science to Psychology. From there she began her undergraduate work with Dr. Geller, analyzing data and reviewing literature pertaining to disaster related trauma. After graduation, Apryl went on to apply this experience in her work with the Women’s Center and her continued study of clinical psychology at the Fuller Institute of Technology. The research and work she did as an undergraduate student also motivated her to become a mentor for other psychology students so as to create for others the opportunities that her mentors made available to her. Apryl’s time at Virginia Tech provided her with a new passion that she she continues to pursue, and her involvement with the Student Transition Program helped her find lifelong friends that aided her in the adjustment to college life. She experienced research, relationships, football games, and countless other activities that characterize college life, and each of these experiences have led her to where she is today. Upon returning to Tech, Apryl noted the changes around campus and reflected on good memories, but she also expressed hope for continued change, particularly involving minority groups on campus. She notes that it is important to reflect on and make use of positive scenarios, but to always strive for improvement.
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
VT Stories Oral History with Bertram Kinzey, May 19, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Bertram Kinzey, Jr. arrived in Blacksburg as an architectural engineering student in 1940. While living in Richmond, Kinzey enrolled in the engineering extension program, which led him to Virginia Tech for his final two years of undergraduate. As a student, Kinzey lived in town and participated in community as an organist, eventually graduating in 1942. He began working in an architecture firm in Richmond, Virginia and transitioned into teaching architecture curriculum. In this interview, Bertram Kinzey covers his childhood in Berea, Ohio, attending Virginia Tech during World War II, and his career upon graduating.
VT Stories Oral History with Bill Latham, May 21, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
On the residential side of campus, there is an academic building where researchers from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) work diligently to find solutions to environmental issues and improve the quality of life for all of Earth’s inhabitants. This is Latham Hall. In 2006, Latham Hall was named after an outstanding alumni and integral member of the Hokie community, Bill C. Latham, after he and his wife, Betty, made a large donation to the University to support research. Latham has remained an involved member of the Virginia Tech community since he graduated with a degree in General Agriculture in 1955. Why did Latham choose to come to Virginia Tech, a University he has had unbreakable ties with for over the past 50 years? Simple. His mother. Latham’s mother wanted her son to experience a broad education in agriculture. The Lathams own hundreds of acres of farmland in Prince William county in northern Virginia: the same farmland Latham has lived on since he was brought back from the hospital as a baby in 1933. With an education from Virginia Tech, Latham was prepared to operate the farm, while working in the banking and hotel businesses on the side to provide for education for his four children. The University was much different back when Latham began his studies in 1951. During that time, the majority of the student body was made up of the Corps of Cadets. However, Latham was not interested in joining the military after graduation. He had a farm to return to. Leaving the Corps of Cadets meant that Latham became one of the one thousand civilian students on campus. He made the most of this experience, becoming the president of the growing civilian body. Latham has a variety of anecdotes from his years as a student — from standing up to an irate English professor, to learning how to pilot in a rented J3 Cub, a well-known, lightweight aircraft. One of the most memorable stories happened his senior year when other students played a trick on him after a dance at the Student Activities Building. Six years after graduation, in 1961, friend and fellow alumni, Buddy Russell, asked Latham to join the Alumni Board. While on this board, Latham was forced to make difficult, yet important decisions for the future of the University. Latham had a major role in assisting the University during a time of financial trouble in the late 80’s. After President Lavery made poor financial decisions concerning the Athletic Department, Latham, as a member of the Alumni Board and Board of Visitors, advised that the former president resign from his position.After a 12 year break from the Board of Visitors, Latham returned after President Torgersen stepped down from his position to resume teaching in 2000. This meant Latham played a role in choosing the next president of the University. Latham has been honored with multiple awards for his dedication to his alma mater, including the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and the William H. Ruffner Medal in 2007. Regarding the future of the University, Latham hopes that Virginia Tech continues with the goals of remaining a land-grant University and making a college education possible for capable students.
VT Stories Oral History with Bill Roth, January 26, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Bill Roth grew up in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania playing ice hockey. He attended Syracuse University studying multimedia journalism, wanting to work in sports broadcasting. After graduating, he was hired at Virginia Tech as the “Voice of the Hokies,” doing radio for Virginia Tech athletics, and worked here for 27 years. In this interview, Roth talks about his journey into sports broadcasting, college athletics, and the work which placed him in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
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VT Stories Oral History with Bill Starnes, April 26, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
William (Bill) Starnes, Jr., Virginia Tech class of 1955, never seriously considered any other school. Bill always knew that he was going to college, and because his father attended the university, having graduated in 1924, it seemed like the perfect place to be. Growing up in Lee County, VA, Bill enjoyed all that his hometown had to offer him as a youth, including the outdoor activities and the great education he received before heading off to college. An only child, he was raised by two parents who valued education just as much as he did. His mother and father, both from Scott County, VA, were teachers as well, and that only made education much more important to Bill. Although he knew Virginia Tech was where he wanted to attend, Bill actually began his higher education at the age of fifteen at a different institution, spending two years at Union College in Barbourville, KY, where he first discovered his love for chemistry. Before Bill decided on a major, he had thought about careers in many different fields, even music, as he is a jazz piano player who has performed in the French Quarter of New Orleans. But after one semester of chemistry at Union under a very inspirational professor, Dr. Rupert Hurley, Bill decided that was it, and chemistry was what he wanted to study. After two years at Union, taking all the courses Dr. Hurley had to offer, the transfer to Virginia Tech made even more sense to Bill, because he knew he could further his education in chemistry here because of the strong programs in the sciences that the university offered.Three years later, Bill graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Chemistry, and too many memories to count. Some of Bill’s fondest memories were of a friend who purchased a fire-engine-red hearse from the Christiansburg Fire Department. They and their cronies rode to football games in the hearse, and once, because the police thought it was an official vehicle, they stopped the traffic for blocks and waved the hearse through all the way to the stadium. While many of Bill’s memories of Virginia Tech stem from his time as a student, the first time he saw the campus was when he was in his early teens. His father, being an agricultural teacher, went to a conference at the university and brought Bill along, and he still remembers it very clearly.After graduating, Bill continued his education, earning a PhD degree in Chemistry at Georgia Tech, and moving on to work for a multitude of companies and universities, including what is now ExxonMobil, as well as the University of Texas. He also worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories from 1973 to 1985, where he first began to study vinyl plastics, and he’s now generally considered to be the world’s leading expert on the chemistry of these materials. His expertise in chemistry eventually led to a career at the College of William and Mary. There he worked as a Professor of Applied Science for sixteen years and was named the Floyd Dewey Gottwald, Sr., Professor of Chemistry (a Virginia Eminent Scholar chair) in 1989, later retiring to Emeritus status in 2006. In addition to this title, he’s achieved a countless number of honors and awards, including becoming the only scientist to be a charter inductee into the Southwest Virginia Walk of Fame. In addition to his academic career, he’s also fared well in his personal life, having met his wife of over 30 years, Sofia, on a flight to New Jersey. Sofia is an award-winning poet herself, having served as Poet Laureate of Virginia from 2012 to 2014. With her husband, she has edited and published a book titled How Will You Measure Life?, which is composed of inspirational talks and prayers written by Bill’s father, William H. Starnes, Sr. Giving back to the university is also very important to the couple. The two have recently established an endowed graduate fellowship for Chemistry. In their estate, they have endowed fellowships for PhD candidates in the Department of English and a scholarship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The fellowships will help support research in their specific departments, while the scholarship will allow an outstanding student to attend the university. They’ve also created a charitable trust that will endow a senior professorship in the Department of Chemistry, which Bill and Sofia view as especially influential, as it will help to strengthen the department and allow students to have access to a world-class professor they would not have had the chance to study under before. In addition, they are active members of the Legacy giving society, which acknowledges those who have included Virginia Tech in their estate plans. They’re also members of the President’s Circle within the Ut Prosim giving society, which gives credit to donors who are leaders in philanthropy and giving to the university. The President’s Circle is the highest of the giving levels within Ut Prosim. Bill also serves on the Department of Chemistry Advisory Council and enjoys watching the university grow in terms of research and innovation. Through all of his professional and personal successes, Bill still looks back on Virginia Tech as being an important part of his life. When someone says the words, “Virginia Tech,” the first thing to come to Bill’s mind is how dynamic and innovative the university is. He enjoys watching Virginia Tech continue to push forward and grow. Bill also thinks of the community. He feels that the interactions between students and professors are much stronger here than at any other place, and he feels lucky to have attended Virginia Tech.
VT Stories Oral History with Bob and Judy Slaughter, October 10, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
Judy Swecker Slaughter was born into a Virginia Tech family as her father graduated class of 1935. Growing up in Woodstock, Virginia, she had decided to follow her father's footsteps and also attend. She arrived in 1966, studying psychology and graduated in 1970. Then years later, she returned and completed a master's in education. Bob Slaughter grew up in Roanoke, Virginia as a Virginia Tech fan. He ended up attending the school on a football scholarship and played all four years, graduating in 1970. He started as a business major, but switched to marketing education as he wanted to coach for a career. In this interview, Judy and Bob talked about adjusting to campus life, particularly Bob balancing sports and academics. They covered campus culture in the late 1960s related to gender expectations, participating in campus events, going to the Lyric, and their careers after graduating.
VT Stories Oral History with Bob Bates, October 2, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Education has always been important in the life of Robert “Bob” Bates, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (now College of Science). Both of his parents were college-educated, and his mother was a teacher, while his father worked for the U.S. government. The youngest of four, Bates and his siblings were all expected to attend college. Although it was difficult for his parents to pay for all of their educations, they still made it a priority, and as Bates said, “there was no other option” but for him and his siblings to further their education. He decided to study biology at Lewis & Clark College, a small liberal arts college in Portland with around the same student population as his high school — a stark contrast from the universities that would later become central in his life. He enjoyed his time at Lewis & Clark because he had the opportunity to do research, study abroad in Japan, and feed his growing interest in microbiology and virology, the study of viruses. After graduating from Lewis & Clark in 1966, Bates obtained his master’s degree in Bacteriology and Public Health from Washington State University in 1969. He then began working toward his doctorate at Colorado State University, although his now-wife Wendy, whom he met at Washington State, was still teaching elementary school in Tacoma, Washington, at the time. After a few months of dating long distance, Wendy moved to Colorado, and the two married while Bates finished his doctorate in microbiology with a specialty in virology, which he received in 1972. After completing his formal education, Bates ended up at Virginia Tech partly by chance. He found out about an opening in a faculty position while attending a national meeting for microbiologists. Although he had never heard of the university or the town of Blacksburg before, he got an interview, received the position, and moved all the way from Colorado to Blacksburg just a few months after graduating from Colorado State. As a professor on tenure track at Virginia Tech, Bates learned about the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary work through his experiences conducting research with graduate students and other faculty members. While he enjoyed research, one of the challenges he faced as a new professor was trying to get research opportunities lined up and properly funded. He was pleased, however, that many programs at Virginia Tech, as well as other land grant universities, were becoming more interdisciplinary. During his time as a professor, he took on another new role: father. He and his wife had three children in five years, and his wife took a break from teaching to stay home with them. After he “moved up through the ranks” as a professor, he was offered a position as the associate dean for research and graduate education for the College of Arts and Sciences, and was in that position for around six years, before becoming dean. As his role as a professor, researcher, and dean grew, Bates soon began to realize that it was necessary to cut back on his teaching responsibilities, although he said it was a hard sacrifice to give up working with the students he loved. Bates’ experiences as dean proved to be both challenging and satisfying. He remembered one instance when the college was put into a bind when it discovered that there were 600 more incoming students than expected just three weeks before the fall semester began. Although faculty members were understandably displeased, they soon stepped up to teach more courses, an action that Bates called “rewarding and refreshing.” In 2002, Bates was offered a job as provost of Washington State University, which is where he received his master’s degree. He said it was a difficult decision to leave Virginia Tech because although he and his wife expected to stay for only a few years, he ended up staying for around 30 years and raising his children in Blacksburg. Although he didn’t accept the offer at first, he eventually decided to pack up and move to Pullman to start a new life at Washington State. He was provost for about eight years and stayed at Washington State for about 13 and a half years before retiring. Bates said he is pleased with the direction in which current faculty are leading the College of Science at Virginia Tech and the university in general, and he notes the importance of dynamic degree programs that keep up with current trends.
VT Stories Oral History with Bob Quisenberry, April 3, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Oral histories (document genres)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Corps of Cadets
Bob Quisenberry, Class of 1962, discusses his life and career, including his time as a student at Virginia Tech and his continued involvement with the university in the decades since.
VT Stories Oral History with Brooks Whitehurst, September 16, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Brooks Whitehurst grew up in Wytheville, Virginia, and from a young age he knew his future as an engineer. His father decided his path, but allowed him to choose chemical engineering at Virginia Tech. Brooks graduated from Virginia Tech in 1951, and then went to work in government contracting, and eventually began his own consulting business. In this interview, Brooks talks about his years at Virginia Tech, his career after, and remaining an active alumni through involvement with the Wood Enterprise Institute and the College of Natural Resources and Environment.
VT Stories Oral History with Buddy and Frances Russell, May 15, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
Virginia Tech has always been an integral part of the life of George Edwin Russell, Class of 1952. Russell, known to most as Buddy, grew up on a country farm working with pigs, dairy cows, and beef cattle. This led Russell to join the 4H club as a young boy and inspired him to study Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech. 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.
VT Stories Oral History with Charles Tynan, May 17, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Aerospace engineers
A proud alumnus, Charles Tynan is no stranger to the Blacksburg area or Virginia Tech. From the years of 1947 to 1952 he was an undergraduate student, living in dorms and a cadet in the Corps. He spent the majority of his time devoted to academics, and his hard work paid off when he graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Tynan was born in Newport News, VA, on October 10, 1930. Academically advanced for his age, he had a “normal childhood.” The Great Depression affected many during that time, but luckily, Tynan’s father had a good job and was able to provide for the family. While attending Newport News High School, golf was his sport of choice – since he was years younger than his classmates, he was too small to play contact sports. He became interested in Virginia Tech after meeting Chris Kraft, ’44 through a mutual friend. Kraft would show Tynan different projects, peaking his interest. Tynan’s freshman year at Tech had a rocky beginning; he spent his “rat year” living at Radford Arsenal and taking a school bus to campus each day. At the time, the buildings looked similar, because they were built for World War II housing. The freshmen were required to wait in line in the mess halls in heavy coats and adhere to strict eating regulations. After freshman year, Tynan went on to advance from a corporal to a captain by his senior year. When he moved over to central campus during sophomore year, he primarily spent his time studying. Every now and then, he would partake in or observe students playing pranks in the residence halls, such as leading cows up to people’s rooms and throwing them into the duck pond. Other than focusing on academics, Tynan spent his time playing golf, going on occasional dates, and going out of town. After graduating from Tech, Tynan spent six in the Air Force. His relationship with Kraft led him to an interview, which in turn led him to a job working with him at NASA. At the time, it was common for VT engineering graduates to land jobs with the association. Tynan became involved on the recovery team for Project Mercury, working to safely recover astronauts as they return to Earth. Tynan stayed at NASA from the mid-1950s to 1988. Throughout his time there he lived through many memorable experiences that he looks back on to this day. From working during the crash of the Challenger to trying zero-gravity toilets, he has been a witness to incredible progression in history. Virginia Tech provided Tynan with the quality education he needed to pursue his substantial career at NASA. Looking back, he is incredibly grateful for the academics and discipline learned through his involvement with the Corps. The growth Tech has undergone since he was a student is impressive; the campus, programs, and opportunities continue to grow with each passing year. Tynan is proud of the continuous development of Virginia Tech and its commitment to producing individuals ready to positively impact and contribute to society. He is proud to consider himself a part of the Hokie legacy.
VT Stories Oral History with Charlie Phlegar, December 11, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
VT Stories Oral History with Chris and Maria Kappas 6/6, May 13, 2019 (Ms2016-015)
Blacksburg (Va.)
In this final installment of an oral history series, Chris Kappas is joined by his wife, Maria Kappas, to talk about their life working in the restaurant industry and raising a family in Blacksburg. In this interview, Maria recounts emigrating from Greece in 1969, where she met Chris shortly after. The pair talk about their family, both immediate and extended, and working in the Greek's and Souvlakis.
Permission to publish materials from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
VT Stories Oral History with Chris Kappas 1/6, July 30, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
The first in a special series of interviews with Chris Kappas, a local Blacksburg businessman, land lord, and restaurateur. Born in Greece in 1938, Chris Kappas is the son of Nick Kappas, early Greek immigrant and restaurateur in Southwest Virginia. In this interview, Chris recounts his father's story of immigrating to the United States at thirteen years old, and creating a life for himself in Roanoke, Va. During Nick Kappas' career working in restaurants, he became a beloved figure in the Blacksburg community, particularly by the Corps of Cadets, and relocated to North Main Street. Here, he opened his own restaurant in 1922, the Busy Bee Restaurant, more commonly known as the Greek's. Chris Kappas covers the early history of the restaurant, through name changes and working in Blacksburg as one of the few Greek immigrants, up to his birth in 1938 just before World War II.
VT Stories Oral History with Chris Kappas 2/6, August 7, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
The second session in a series of oral history interviews with Chris Kappas, local Blacksburg restaurateur and land lord. In this interview, Chris Kappas recounts his early life growing up in the Greek countryside during World War II while separated from his father. He moved to the United States after the war at eight years old, and talks about adjusting to life in Blacksburg, working in the restaurant, and stories of his father. From the success of the business, his father, Nick Kappas, helped their family immigrate from Greece and eventually developed offshoots of the Greek's restaurant, now (officially) called the Blue Ribbon Restaurant. These enterprises turned into Souvlakis, which started as a push cart on College Ave, the Mediterranean, turned Greek's Two, and the Cellar.
VT Stories Oral History with Chris Kappas 3/6, August 20, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
The third installment of a series of oral history interviews with Blacksburg local, restauranteur, and active community member Chris Kappas. This oral history interview begins with Chris talking about his childhood growing up in war-torn Greece. He discusses the Greek Civil War following World War II, which led to his eventual passage to the United States. He talks about restaurant history, including his father's relationship with the Black community in Blacksburg, and expanding restaurant operations. After briefly moving to Richmond following graduation from Virginia Tech, he returned to Blacksburg to work in the restaurant and eventually take it over from his father.
VT Stories Oral History with Chris Kappas 4/6, August 31, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
The fourth oral history interview in a series with Chris Kappas, longtime Blacksburg local and restauranteur. In this interview, Chris Kappas talks about becoming principal partner in the Greek's restaurant with his father's former business partner, Jim Havelos. He covers restaurant operations, including running the Cellar and transitioning ownership, opening Souvlakis, and the proper pronunciation and consumption of "gyro". He ends on talking about downtown, including local businesses, Steppin' Out, the International Festival, and city planning.
VT Stories Oral History with Chris Kappas 5/6, December 6, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
The fifth oral history interview in a series about the Greek community in Blacksburg, local history, and the restaurant industry with Chris Kappas. In this interview, Kappas talks about establishing Souvlakis in the Blacksburg community as a Greek food restaurant. He covers the later years of running the restaurant, with raising his kids and seeing them transition to adulthood and move away. Then into his retirement of transitioning ownership to Mike Buchanan, and into property management and serving on the town council.
VT Stories Oral History with Chris Kraft, April 29, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Christopher Columbus Kraft, Jr. is a Class of 1944 Virginia Tech graduate born. He was born on February 28, 1924 in the small town of Phoebus, Virginia, which later merged into Hampton, Virginia. Growing up, Chris knew everyone in his town, and they knew him, which greatly shaped Chris as a person. 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.
Permission to publish materials from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives.
VT Stories Oral History with Christina Daves, November 3, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Christina Daves attended Virginia Tech from 1985 to 1988, majoring in Political Science and German. In this interview, she talks about her time on campus during a turbulent era, work in her sorority Chi Omega, and her career after. After graduating, she found herself working in small businesses and manufacturing, working her way to celebrity endorsements, winning Steve Harvey’s Top Inventor competition, and now works in PR.
VT Stories Oral History with Clara Cox, March 23, 2018
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
University Archives
Education, Secondary
In this VT Stories interview from 2018, Manisha Sharma interviews the former Director of University Publications Clara Cox in the Holtzman Alumni Center. In this oral history Cox talks about her rise through the ranks of university relations, her current work supporting the Council on VT History, and her love and affinity for the university.
VT Stories Oral History with Curry Roberts, November 21, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
Curry Roberts grew up not too far from Virginia Tech’s campus in a small village in the western part of Bedford County. His parents grew up in the depression, and they met after WWII. Curry’s older brother also graduated from Virginia Tech, and Curry now has two children who are Tech graduates as well. Although he always knew he wanted to attend Tech, especially after a memorable football game in 1963, a special circumstance solidified his track to becoming a Hokie. Even though his Tech experience was basically covered by the generous scholarship he received, Curry worked throughout his entire college experience. This was a testament to the strong work ethic instilled in him by his family. Otherwise, Tech was a pretty big adjustment for Curry who went from a village of around 500 to a single freshman class of about 400. He majored in Political Science, but he took full advantage of the opportunity to get a very well-rounded education that was even enhanced by the political culture of the time. Along with his strong interest in Political Science courses and encouragement from his advisor Jim Herndon, Curry enjoyed taking classes outside of his major. Courses in literature with Professor Anne Chaney, history with Dr. Shumsky, and environmental law with Jake Looney were all influential and helped shape Curry’s Hokie experience. Since then, Curry has had a chance to share with Dr. Shumsky how important his words have been. Curry doesn’t regret his choice of major or electives one bit, and he sees them all having lasting positive impacts on his life and career choices. Curry graduated in 1980 and by 1988 he was appointed Deputy Secretary of Economic Development. In fact, he was Deputy Secretary to another Virginia Tech alum, and those types of connections continue to come up in Curry’s life. His early career took him from roles in politics to business with a man name John Kluge who was also influential in his life. Curry has gone on to hold positions in many sectors, but he has never wavered in his support of Virginia Tech. In fact, Curry was named an Alumni Distinguished Service Award winner in 2014 for his dedicated service to Virginia Tech.
VT Stories Oral History with David Lowe, September 27, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
A life fully lived accurately sums up the the life of David Lowe. Lowe, class president of 1963 details his humble beginnings of growing up in a small working-class family in West Virginia. Lowe’s parents were both teachers, and in his story he highlights the importance of education, including his decision to come to college at Virginia Tech. Upon arriving on campus, Lowe became involved, and took on leadership roles, in a number of organizations, including in the German Club. He was selected as the aforementioned class President. At the conclusion of his Junior year, Lowe was named the Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets, holding the highest possible rank a cadet can hold. Lowe claims that during his tenure as Regimental Commander he was given remarkable opportunities to teach and to learn leadership and to build lifelong friendships with his fellow cadets. The school motto of Ut Prosim, meaning That I May Serve, followed Lowe throughout his life and into his career where he worked in executive positions in the telecommunications industry before retiring to Blacksburg with his wife in 2000. Lowe is also a past President and lifetime honorary board member of the Alumni Association. Virginia Tech holds a special place in the heart of its alumni, and David Lowe is no exception.
VT Stories Oral History with Doug Montgomery, March 26, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Doug Montgomery grew up in Radford, Virginia, playing baseball and golf, knowing that he would continue in higher education. Now a proud triple Hokie of industrial engineering, Doug graduated with a BS, MS, and Ph.D in 1965, 1967, and 1969 respectively. After finishing his PhD, he taught at Georgia Tech for fifteen years, briefly at University of Washington, and landed at ASU. In this interview, Doug covers his early childhood before Virginia Tech, his years at the school, and life after as a professor of industrial engineering.
VT Stories Oral History with Douglas Beaver, September 16, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Captain Douglas J. Beaver was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. During his childhood, his father’s naval career took them all over the world to places like: Japan, Washington, DC; Newport, Rhode Island; San Diego, California; the Philippines; and Germany. Of all of these locations, Captain Beaver most fondly remembers Germany. Well-traveled and with a clear objective in mind, Captain Beaver came to Virginia Tech in 1987 and graduated in 1991 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. At Virginia Tech, he continued to live a life familiar to him as a member of the Corps of Cadets and especially enjoyed his history and law courses here. Although, he was familiar with a military lifestyle, Captain Beaver’s involvement in the Corps was very important to his experience as a Hokie. While discipline is part of the lifestyle for any Cadet at Virginia Tech, Captain Beaver shares that it wasn’t all work and no fun. He and his friends and family went hiking, tubing on the New River, and tailgated for football games. Captain Beaver’s career in the Navy has taken him far away from Virginia Tech, but he and his college friends try to make it back to check on our progress and to attend Corps of Cadets events.
VT Stories Oral History with Douglas Martin, May 5, 2019 (Ms2016-015)
April 16, 2007 shootings
Diversity in higher education
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Alumni Association
Douglas Martin, Ed.D. is Director Emeritus in the Department of Human Resources at Virginia Tech. This nearly hour-long interview contains his first-hand account of several impactful people and events that shaped Tech in the last half century. Most of the individuals mentioned have since been dedicated a building on campus.
VT Stories Oral History with Duston Scarborough, April 22, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Duston Scarborough was born in Anchorage, Alaska. As his mother was in the Navy, he frequently moved around, living in places like Puerto Rico and Texas. Upon settling down in Hampton Roads, he got involved in 4-H and took part in Congresses which drew him to Virginia Tech. He majored in Marketing Management to learn how to market himself in the music industry. While at Virginia Tech, he got involved in Omega Psi Phi, a NPHC fraternity, and was an RA. After graduating, he considers himself an active young alumni and encourages others to do the same.
VT Stories Oral History with Emily Haynes Cooper, Tara Fortune, Jeryl Payne, and Kaye Pereras, April 22, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Emily Haynes Cooper Tara Fortune Jeryl Payne Kaye Pereras
VT Stories Oral History with Eugene Banks, May 21, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
Eugene Banks, class of 1950, had never even seen Virginia Tech before the day he enrolled. Banks began his education in 1946 at the age of 16. While he never visited the campus due to the United States’ gasoline rationing in the early 1940s, Banks knew he wanted to study engineering. He initially decided to study electrical engineering before switching his concentration to industrial engineering. When Banks came to the University in 1946, it was mandatory that all able-bodied male students with no prior military experience spend two years in the Corps of Cadets. The Richmond native says the adjustment to such a controlled environment was a difficult one, with penalties being handed out for even the slightest infractions. Despite the difficulties of the first year, also called the “Rat Year,” the alumnus says that he is grateful for his time in the Corps of Cadets. Not having made a social visit in years, Banks is unfamiliar with many of the school’s changes since his time as an undergraduate, other than the addition of social fraternities and the Corps of Cadets no longer being a requirement. Eugene stays involved with Virginia Tech predominately through his love for athletics. While Eugene’s two sons graduated from Tech, at this point he connects most deeply with Virginia Tech’s Hokie football team. Eugene has been witness to the evolution of Tech, but he will always remember it as his open-country, military university of 1950.
VT Stories Oral History with Ezra "Bud" Brown, April 3, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Dr. Ezra A. “Bud” Brown grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana knowing he was expected to attend college. After graduating high school, he attended Rice University and after switching majors a few times, ultimately chose math. When he graduated from undergrad, he immediately entered a master’s program at LSU and continued with his Ph.D. He arrived at VPI in 1969, working as a professor and remained for 48 years. In this interview, Bud covers the role of mentorship in his academic career, his journey in becoming a beloved professor, and his love of the school.
VT Stories Oral History with First African American Women Students, April 22, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Marguerite Laurette Harper Scott, also known as Chick, grew up in Norfolk, Virginia in a family of Virginia State graduates. Although she intended on doing the same, when Virginia Polytechnic recruiters visited her high school, her father decided it was the place for her. She studied sociology and history, and graduated in the class of 1970. LaVerne Hairston Higgins, commonly known as Freddie, grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and arrived at Virginia Tech through following her math teacher from high school. While at Virginia Polytechnic, she was heavily involved in social activism and studied math. Linda Edmonds Turner grew up in Halifax County and arrived at the school through the Rockefeller Foundation. She is a triple Hokie, receiving her Bachelor of Science in 1970, master's in 1976, and PhD in 1979. Upon arriving to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, these women did not know they would be among the first Black female students of the school. However, they turned into trailblazers for later classes of students, especially in challenging the schools traditions. In this interview, the women talk about their experiences at Virginia Polytechnic through this intersectional lens. They recount experiences with discrimination on campus and pockets of acceptance they found, professors they butted heads with, displaying the Confederate flag during home games, stories from Hillcrest, and participating in social activism on a predominately White campus.
VT Stories Oral History with Frank Beamer, June 7, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Frank Beamer was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina in 1946, but grew up just across state lines in Fancy Gap, a suburb of Hillsville, Virginia. Growing up on a farm, hard-work was instilled in him from an early age, along with the value of higher education, as per his parents’ expectations. In high school, Beamer was active in sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball, and graduated with 11 varsity letters. Football became his ticket out after several Roanoke Times articles piqued the interest of VPI coaches, leading him to sign with Virginia Tech. While here, Beamer majored in vocational education, played defensive back on the team, and started his coaching career at Radford High School. Upon graduating in 1969, he began teaching math at Radford High School in order to keep coaching. His coaching career continued in 1972 as a graduate assistant at the University of Maryland, College Park, then moving to The Citadel for seven seasons. In 1969, he was hired as the defensive coordinator at Murray State University, and was later promoted to head coach. After six years as head coach, he was hired as head coach at Virginia Tech after a series of NCAA violations under the previous coach. In this interview, Beamer talks about his years leading up to coaching at Virginia Tech, and his time here. His years rebuilding the team after first arriving, but then winning the Independence Bowl in 1993, leading to a streak in Bowls, culminating in the 1999 season. Bolstering the program’s academics, football rallying the school in the wake of tragedies, and what he’s learned in his twenty-nine years at the school.
VT Stories Oral History with Frank Nolen, May 17, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Frank Nolen grew up in Macon County, North Carolina, raised with school in mind. In high school, he decided to attend North Carolina State College, but dropped out after encountering college chemistry. He transferred to Gaston Technical Institute, a two year technical school, and graduated early in January 1960. He eventually arrived in Blacksburg because of a job offer with General Electric in Shenandoah. After getting the job, Nolen's boss decided to send him to Virginia Tech for an engineering degree, which he graduated from in 1965. In this interview, Nolen recounts his path to Virginia Tech, becoming a student in the Corps, studies, his later career in General Electric, and then becoming a proud alumni.
VT Stories Oral History with Gene James, November 20, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
Gene James grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia, born to a Virginia Tech family. His father and two brothers all graduated from Virginia Tech, which played an influential role in his decision to attend. He graduated in 1953, majoring in animal sciences, and then began his professional career with Southern States Cooperative. Although after graduating, he remained an active alumni, through serving on the Alumni Board and as Leadership Council of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 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.
VT Stories Oral History with General Carlton Everhart, September 23, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Since childhood, General Carlton Everhart has strongly believed in the importance of honesty, integrity, and humility. He has lived life with these ideals prioritized first – from his humble beginnings on his family farm to his influential military career. A 1983 Virginia Tech graduate, Everhart pursued majors in agriculture, agriculture business, and education while involved with the Corps of Cadets. Everhart grew up on his family’s farm in a small border town near Mayberry, NC. An active and engaged student, he participated in any sport or extracurricular he could, including football, wrestling, and student counsel. He balanced his involvements with daily work on the farm, helping out his dad and earning an allowance. Life on the farm laid a foundation of a hard work ethic in Everhart; his parents expected him to give his all into everything he did, be it work, school, or hobbies. With the intention of taking over the farm, Everhart chose to study agriculture at Virginia Tech. After viewing Tech to visit his older sister attending, he fell in love with the architecture, hometown atmosphere, and spirit. His parents were very supportive of his ambitions; whatever his dream, they pushed him to do everything he could to achieve it. They instilled in him a value of education at an early age, but gave him freedom to decide where and what he wished to pursue. The Corps of Cadets helped Everhart to make the transition from small town to overwhelming collegiate campus. Not only did it offer him the opportunity to pursue a dream to fly, it gave him the chance to be a part of a close-knit community for support. As a cadet, he got through school with an accountability system and encouragement from his fellow cadets. Looking back at his decisions to join the Corps and live on VT’s beautiful campus, Everhart claims he is “tremendously blessed” and extremely happy with his choices. Everhart’s first military experience was becoming a cadet in the Corps. At first, he was overwhelmed by the Corps’s strict regulations and wondered if he made the right decision. Even after the struggle of “rat year”, he knew the lessons he was learning were going to benefit him for the rest of his life. What separates his experience with the Corps from a regular student’s is the emphasis on tradition and honor. After graduation, Everhart carried his Hokie pride into his next stage of life. He graduated in 1989 with a Master’s degree in business management from the University of Arkansas. Later, in 2002, he received a Master’s degree in national security strategy from National War College. Immediately following his undergraduate education, he moved to Mississippi for pilot training for a rigorous year of training. This sparked his journey into his extensive military career; after flight school, he worked with Desert Shield and Desert Storm, commanded at the squadron, group, and wing levels, worked staff assignments with the air staff at the Pentagon, and served as military aide to President Clinton for two years. Everhart has traveled around the world vertically and horizontally as well as stepped foot on every continent. When describing his experiences, he simply acknowledges that he has been “very, very blessed.” Finally, in 2015, Everhart became a 4-Star General in the United States Air Force. Everhart has received numerous medals and won many awards, but of all of these achievements he credits service and duty as the most rewarding parts of his career. The memories behind his medals are really what he holds close to his heart. During his tenure at the White House, he formed a unique, close bond with the four other military aides. He was a student at National War College during the events of 9-11; his class forged a special relationship and felt the urge to serve their nation together. Everhart is especially grateful for once-in-a-lifetime moments such as these. The words “Virginia Tech” remind Everhart of Hokie pride and the Hokie nation. He feels a passionate loyalty for the school he credits for his successful career. From recruiting new students to proudly “bleeding maroon and orange,” he undeniably calls Blacksburg home. He is happy to see the campus continually moving forward in a smart way with a “steady heartbeat.” As far as he is concerned, Virginia Tech will only grow stronger as an institution and community. He is grateful for the foundation of success he received during his years at Tech, among other things: the kindness of the locals, quality of education, and Hokie spirit. Every day, General Everhart wears his class ring – what he calls his “pride and joy.” Forever a Hokie, he will never forget the impact of Virginia Tech on his life.
VT Stories Oral History with George Fox, May 19, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
George Fox, born in Charleston, West Virginia, grew up in a Virginia Tech household. His father from Virginia Polytechnic Institute for industrial engineering in 1941 and claimed that their extended family has more than twenty graduates. Consequently, George did not have a choice in choosing schools, and went to Virginia Polytechnic in 1960 for mechanical engineering. After graduating in 1964, he enlisted in the Air Force as an aircraft engineering officer. He stayed for four years, then worked in General Electric Company for the rest of his career. In this interview, George Fox shares many stories from rat to senior year, including being one of the original cannon boys, shooting steam whistles, flooding the third floor showers, and putting cadets in laundry machines. Also in this interview, he talks about his time in the service, working after, and campus life.
VT Stories Oral History with Gerald Miller, May 16, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Gerald Miller grew up on a farm in Harrisonburg, Virginia. From an early age, he had responsibilities and schooling expectations drilled into him, which heavily guided his career. He attended Virginia Tech and graduated in 1965, majoring in Agronomy. In this interview, he talks about his time at Virginia Tech, including his infamous rat year and the German club. After graduating, he was assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood where he decided to get a master’s and PhD in soil science from Iowa State while in the military. Decades later, he still takes part in Virginia Tech through five year reunions and credits it with changing his life.
VT Stories Oral History with Ida Powell, May 17, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
Women
Home economics
Ida Powell graduated from Virginia Tech in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in home economics. In this hour-long interview, Powell discusses her experience as a female student attending Virginia Tech's campus in the 1950s as well as her humanitarian work following graduation.
VT Stories Oral History with Jack Evans, March 3, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Dr. Jack Evans grew up in California before moving to Colorado for several years. He moved again in high school to Reno, Nevada, where he then attended undergraduate at University of Nevada, Reno and majored in biology. After graduation, he planned on moving to Virginia to be closer to his girlfriend (now wife) Mary, with the vague intention of working at Virginia Tech. Jack’s professor at UNR connected him to Dr. Cranford, who then connected him to the Entomology Department, which landed him a job. After falling in love with the campus, he stayed to do his master’s and PhD in education, then began working as a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. In this interview, Jack covers his life as a first generation college student, moving across the country to Virginia, and becoming a beloved biology professor at the university.
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives.
VT Stories Oral History with James "Bud" Robertson, June 8, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
James "Bud" Robertson was born and raised in Danville, Virginia. There was a railroad close to his house, which led him to become interested in them (which he maintained throughout his entire life). The yardmaster understood his interest and offered to send Bud to college to become an engineer and work on the railroad, knowing that it would not happen. As a result, he went to Randolph-Macon College, graduating in 1955 with a bachelors in history. He went to Emory for both a graduate degree in 1956 and PhD in 1959. After completing his dissertation, he worked in Washington for the Kennedy Administration until 1965. After getting sick of Washington D.C., he left for Montana for a tenured position. Bud's Virginia Tech story starts in 1967, where he got a position in the history department and stayed until retirement. In this interview, along with his earlier years, Bud talks about his time working at the school, relationships with presidents and administrators, the athletic department, book collections, and current social issues.
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
VT Stories Oral History with James Boone, June 2, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
James Boone, born July 25th, 1915 is among the earliest Virginia Polytechnic students to be interviewed for VT Stories. He grew up in Holland and Ivor, Virginia, and arrived in Blacksburg in 1933. While at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, he studied business administration, and graduated in 1937. In this special interview, James Boone talks about his family history, his parents and relatives in the area, his fascination with railroads stemming from an early age. At Virginia Polytechnic, he covers influential professors, downtown life, living in the dorms, along with pranks done on fellow cadets.
VT Stories Oral History with James Godek, September 16, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
We mourn the loss of a persevering and inspiring member of the Hokie community. James Godek did a lot of things in his life, but one thing he never did is quit. The Corps of Cadets, the navy, Ironman triathlons, and brain cancer — Godek pushed through it all. No matter what life threw at him, he never let it knock him down. Growing up with a father in the navy, Godek moved all around the country before settling in Virginia Beach in 1973. While he couldn’t get into a naval academy due to fierce competition in the area, Godek earned a navy ROTC scholarship that guaranteed him entry into any school he wanted. He considered going to UVA to follow in his older brother’s footsteps, but ultimately chose to go to Tech because it was the school farthest away from his home. Entering Virginia Tech as a freshman in 1983, Godek was undecided on his major, but he knew he wanted to be a pilot for the navy. The Corps took up most of his time, and, at one point, he had a GPA under 2.0. However, his low grades never discouraged him from his goals. He just needed to “figure it out.” The second half of Godek’s senior year was when the navy decided on placement for incoming graduates. There weren’t any open spots available for the flight school Godek wanted to enroll in. But he still was not discouraged. Biding his time until there was an open spot, Godek went to school to become a navy SEAL, while continuing to put in applications for flight school. Godek’s patience paid off, and, a year and a half after graduation, he was accepted into flight school after a spot opened up. Based on some solid advice from his father, Godek worked hard and made sure to stay within the top half of his class. In just a year, he graduated and accomplished his dream of becoming a navy pilot. He went back to Virginia Beach and served 12 years of active duty followed by 11 years in the reserves. Once off active duty, he took a job as a commercial airline pilot for Southwest Airlines, which is where he still works today. In April 2014, after having trouble making radio calls while flying, Godek knew something was wrong. He went to the doctor the next day, where he was diagnosed with brain cancer and given 12-18 months to live. However, Godek did not let it control him. Godek, who was an avid runner, did not let cancer slow him down. Everyday, he planned to accomplish a goal. He regularly trained and competed in races, such as Ironman triathlons, which consist of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run, all completed in under 17 hours. He did this all while sporting a shirt that read “Brain Cancer Survivor.” This opened the door and gave others who were affected by cancer the chance to talk to someone about it. Godek was never afraid to talk about his condition. He was never scared and comforted countless others by sharing his experience. He lived his life to the fullest. He never let cancer slow him down. He never quit.
VT Stories Oral History with Jeffrey Bowling, October 23, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
When Jeffrey Bowling graduated from high school in 1976, he did not appreciate that his friends and family all assumed he would go to Virginia Tech just because he was from a family of Hokies. Both his older brother and sister attended Virginia Tech, and his mother went to Radford when it was the women’s division of the University during World War II. Determined to break the pattern, Bowling spent a summer studying at the University of Tennessee. It only took one summer for him to realize the school was not the right fit for him. He applied to Tech last minute that Fall and was placed in a three-person room in Pritchard. Once another room opened up, he moved to Vawter, which he liked more than Pritchard. Between his sophomore and junior years, Bowling gave tours during a summer session at Virginia Tech — something he says was a “predecessor” to Hokie Camp, which is held every year to introduce freshmen to the Virginia Tech campus. It was through giving these tours that Bowling stumbled into the opportunity to become an RA, an experience that, he says, benefitted him greatly during his four years at the University. Bowling’s main concern during his time in undergrad, other than his tendency to procrastinate on assignments, arose during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. As an RA, he would have been responsible for protecting students from any potential unrest. Thankfully, nothing came of the student’s plans to protest, and Bowling was saved the trouble of mediating the anticipated riot. Bowling graduated from Tech with a B.S. in Finance in June of 1980. He then earned his MBA from Virginia Tech, only a semester later, in December 1981. Throughout the years, he has gone on to work for many different companies, mostly around Baltimore, Maryland. The former RA has fond memories of his time at Virginia Tech, and even though it has been over thirty years since he crossed the stage to accept his degree, the alum occasionally has bizarre dreams that throw him back to his time as a student.
VT Stories Oral History with Jerry Hulick, June 8, 2018
In this VT Stories oral history interview, Ren Harman interviews Jerry Hulick, Class of 1973. Hulick discusses his time at Virginia Tech during the protests of the Vietnam War and the changing landscape of the culture in Virginia Tech and Blacksburg. Hulick highlights his love for the university motto of "Ut Prosim" through his philanthropic work both inside and outside the university, including the Mobile Autism Clinic, the Dean of the College of Science Roundtable, and his "Giving Day" challenges.
VT Stories Oral History with Jess Fowler, May 22, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
As a Cadet in Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets, a student becomes an ethical ambassador for the Virginia Tech student body. Beyond the demanding physical challenges and regimented schedules, Cadets must follow a strict code of behavior. For Jess Fowler, Class of 1964, these principles became the foundation for the rest of his personal and professional career. Serving in the Cadet Senate and the Cadet Honor Corps, Honor is more than one of Virginia Tech’s Pylons–Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim–it is a way of life. 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.
VT Stories Oral History with Jim Hatch, March, 7, 2019 (Ms2016-015)
Jim Hatch went to Lynchburg College as an undergraduate, majoring in management. Upon graduating, he attended Virginia Tech for a Master’s of Accounting and graduated in 1972. Afterwards, he began working as a public accountant and remained active in Virginia Tech affairs. In this interview, Jim talks about his first memories of Virginia Tech, working in accounting, serving on the Advisory Board for the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, and going on to win the Pamplin’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
VT Stories Oral History with Joe Frazier, October 30, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
Joe Frazier began his undergraduate career at Virginia Tech in 2009, and remains a part of the Hokie community through his work as assistant director for the Culture and Community Centers in Squires, where he oversees the Asian Cultural Engagement Center. He also advises the Asian American Student Union, the Jewish Student Union, and the Muslim Student Union as part of his work at the university. Outside of Virginia Tech, Joe is an active member of the local NAACP chapter and is the Development Committee Chair for the Christiansburg Institute. Joe grew up in a variety of locations, both in the United States and internationally due to his father’s military career. Growing up, his parents both went to college and stressed education and good grades throughout his life, leading him go to college. At Virginia Tech, Joe majored in sociology and philosophy as an undergrad, and got two master’s degrees in the same subjects. Joe admits that he doesn’t have a very interesting story about choosing Virginia Tech for his college career; he just ended up a Hokie. He recounts his experiences as a Hokie with affection while also refusing to sugarcoat the more negative aspects of his time as a student, such as racial stereotyping and prejudice. In times when he faced these prejudices, Joe turned to organizations such as the Black Cultural Center and the Student African American Brotherhood where he was able to discuss these experiences with people who had been in similar situations. It’s organizations such as the Student African American Brotherhood and other everyday interactions with fellow Hokies that influenced Joe in his academic experience. It’s also similar interactions that provoked him to act on social issues, such as when he was convinced by a PhD student at an NAACP meeting to go to Ferguson, Missouri following the death of Michael Brown. Joe was also inspired by Paulo Freire’s statement that “Washing one’s hand of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.” Joe believes there is no such thing as neutrality when it comes to justice, and knows when he needs to act on his beliefs. In addition to protesting against police brutality, Joe formed the Student Police Unity League, a volleyball league with teams of police officers and minority students from Virginia Tech. In forming these teams, Joe hoped to create relationships between police officers and minority students. This league speaks to Joe’s desire to take a hands-on approach when it comes to social issues and activism. It’s action such as this that often made Joe stand apart. His frustration during graduate school with sociology scholars who have detailed theories on social inequality and social issues but never do anything inspired him to act personally and make an individual effort to address social problems. This action led to him receiving the Aspire Award for Civility in 2016. Joe appreciates being honored in such a way, and wants to highlight that there are many people doing hard work for social justice that don’t get recognized like he did. As far as activism and service goes, Joe encourages Virginia Tech students and faculty to be aware of the problems facing their immediate communities as well as the broader world. For Joe, serving fellow Hokies as well as people in surrounding counties who are struggling or facing injustice should common for Virginia Tech students. In this way, he lives out our university motto, Ut Prosim, and desires for Hokies to practice the motto in everyday life as well.
VT Stories Oral History with John "Jack" Kise, May 19, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
Jack Kise was born in New Haven, Connecticut and moved around several times before landing in Portsmouth, Virginia where he spent most of his school years. In high school, he took an interest in Virginia Tech as he had several friends attend and liked engineering. He attended from 1952 to 1956, and studied electrical engineering. After graduating, he moved to Chicago and worked for VEPCO. In this interview, Jack covers his life before and after Virginia Tech, his campus life including notable professors, influential Virginia Tech figures, and the reach of Hokie Nation.
VT Stories Oral History with John Bates, May 22, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
On the weekend of his 50th college reunion, John Bates finds himself pausing as he crosses the Drillfield on a quiet Sunday morning. It was as if he entered a “timewarp,” John states. As if the past 50 years had just rewound, and he was, once again, a student heading to class with an armful of books. John Bates, Class of 1963, remarks that despite constant expansion and innovation, Virginia Tech possesses a sense of timelessness that makes it still feel like home. John’s family is deeply rooted in the Virginia Tech community. As a lifelong Hokie, he recalls only applying to one school, Virginia Tech. He knew Tech was his home even before stepping onto Blacksburg soil as a freshman. As a member of the Corps of Cadets, John adopted a sense of discipline that drove his successful academic career at Tech. At this time, Marshall Hahn began his tenure as President. President Hahn made the pivotal decision to make the Corps of Cadets voluntary. John watched as the size of the Corps shank drastically throughout the next few years, but he understood that it was the right decision for Virginia Tech. Leadership, one of the Virginia Tech Pylons, became a driving aspect in John’s life. He attributes his leadership abilities to his college experience. His lifelong leadership and dedication to his school later won John the Ruffner Medal in 2011, Virginia Tech’s highest award for distinguished service. Following in his father’s footsteps, John and his father, John W. Bates Jr., are the first father/son Ruffner Medal winners. John has impacted Virginia Tech in outstanding ways. Virginia Tech is a better university for John’s leadership and dedicated service. Leaders walk among us in the Hokie Nation–like John, crossing the Drillfield on a quiet Sunday morning.