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Normally my fall commentary is centered on the past year of Alumni Association programs, which are summarized annually. They are on the following pages of this issue. Indeed, it was another successful year, partly due to a donor who matched the scholarship dollars raised by our alumni chapters, virtually doubling the amount awarded during 2011-12. This dollar-for-dollar match was made possible by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, long an advocate for student support generated by our chapters. This is but one example of the visionary leadership that my friend and colleague has provided our alma mater for about four decades.
Little did two freshmen know when we first met in 1965 that we would spend our careers serving Virginia Tech. Charles and I were hall mates that year and in several classes together. We continue to observe a pact we made as freshmen never to reveal the indiscretions of our youth! In our early friendship I observed very special qualities in him. Now, the entire universe of Tech alumni and thousands more have observed that same passion for our university and so many examples of his strategic leadership. Without question, his legacy will be one of providing transformative leadership as Virginia Tech's third-longest-serving president.
Charles and I were students during the administration of T. Marshall Hahn Jr., experiencing the university's transformative years of growing enrollment, attracting faculty with strong credentials, advancing research and scholarship, and strengthening athletic programs and facilities. We both served in the following administrations of presidents Bill Lavery, Jim McComas, and Paul Torgersen, as Charles built on the foundation his predecessors laid to move Virginia Tech higher in the rankings with expanded enrollment and programs. Charles served as a key leader in each of those three administrations. His experience helped shape his vision for transforming the university to higher levels of excellence. His management style has been one of choosing leaders to help him accomplish goals, inspiring them, and finding resources to help them be successful. A truly resolute leader, Charles takes the long view on how to strategically accomplish goals in measured stages, wisely allocating limited resources across myriad programs to advance them in total.
Through our years working together, Charles has always been able to view challenges with optimism, placing great faith in what our university can be on the global stage. His actions and legacy have proven that. Today Virginia Tech is among the very best with many top-ranked programs, expanded facilities, the brightest scholars, soaring research, a new medical school, and membership in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. The university is truly an exceptional value in the higher-education marketplace.
Charles has been blessed to be supported by his partner and wife of 44 years, Janet, and their sons, Christopher and David. His devotion to his family has always been his highest priority and they have supported his 24/7 commitment to the presidency as well as his earlier roles in the administration. His immediate family, along with his brother, two sisters, and their families, have stood with him throughout his career. In joyful times as well as in the university's darkest days, Charles could not have had a more loving family to support him. I remember his closing remarks in a speech at Commencement during very challenging times for the Hokie Nation—four powerful words, "I love you all." Indeed, he does love the Hokie Nation, and he has proven that, with more than 48 years committed to his alma mater since he first set foot on campus. His is a legacy that all associated with Virginia Tech will celebrate for decades to come.
A grateful friend,
Dave Hunt, Communications Director
Fall 2013
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University Distinguished Achievement Award
Alumni Distinguished Service Awards
Graduate Alumni Achievement Award
Outstanding Community Service Project
Outstanding Golf Tournament
Innovation Award
Broadening Alumni Engagement Award
Most Improved Chapter
Outstanding New Chapter
Outstanding Chapter Volunteer
Outstanding Chapter Officer
Undergraduate academic advising
Extension
International education
International outreach
International research
Outreach
Outreach (team)
Research
Teaching
William E. Wine Awards in teaching
Graduate student teaching
Graduate student service
Jonathan B. Eisen (architecture '90, M.S. architecture '91)
Maria V. Anderson (business information technology '09)
Robert E. Bishop (mining engineering '02)
Sastry V.S. Kompella (Ph.D. computer engineering '06)
Robert L. Fried (political science '09)
Amanda Rosenberger (Ph.D. fisheries and wildlife '03)
Matthew D. Shoulders (chemistry '04)
Kristi D. Graves (Ph.D. psychology '02)
Jennifer A. Landolfi (D.V.M. '03)
Silver
Bronze
It is with great pleasure and overwhelming humility that I begin my tenure in this new role as president of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors. Our Alumni Association has celebrated many successes over the years, delivering strong programming and services while operating with a high level of financial strength and viability. This is due to the careful stewardship and professionalism of Vice President for Alumni Relations Tom Tillar and the entire staff who serve our alma mater.
It is because of all those accomplishments, and especially the dedication of Hokies around the world, that I am excited about what lies ahead for our association and all we might accomplish together. Our goal is to further advance the mission of the association and contribute to the overall success of our great university.
Unlike what you might find at other colleges, your membership in our Alumni Association requires no dues. I encourage you to take advantage of that and become engaged. Find an alumni chapter close to you. Volunteer and get involved in its activities, happy hours, and service projects. Help with the philanthropies that help fund projects for local communities or scholarships for the next class of Hokies. Come back to campus for reunions and activities hosted by the Alumni Association. Whatever you wish to do and however you wish to go about it, your goals can be accomplished with the support and camaraderie of your fellow alumni. Again, thank you for your service to the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and to our beloved alma mater. Go, Hokies!
In April, Cotillion Club alumni celebrated the 100th anniversary of the club's 1913 founding on campus. In 1970, the club transitioned into Pi Kappa Alpha, reactivating the fraternity's Epsilon chapter, which was originally founded on campus in 1873. The organization had a healthy rivalry with the German Club (founded in 1892), sponsoring formal dance weekends and jointly producing concerts.
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