Virginia Tech Alumni Association News - Fall 2000
Looking Back to Our Roots
I have written many columns through the years for this magazine. And in every one, I have tried to emphasize why Virginia Tech alumni have reasons to be proud. But what makes Tech so special? It is that intangible spirit that bonds our alumni. And it goes back to the founding of the university, and perhaps even earlier.
There was a frontier spirit in the early settlers of Southwest Virginia - working hard to create an agrarian society. They were resourceful and valued education, politics, morality and spirituality. The descendants of these early settlers committed significant resources for their day in the mid-1800s to match federal funds and attract a land-grant college to the region. In today's dollars, their commitment in harsh postwar economic times was a tremendous sacrifice. They formed a governing board and a philosophy of education to teach students of the "working class." The early VAMC buildings were austere and more utilitarian than campuses not far away in Charlottesville and Lexington.
From these beginnings have emerged Tech alumni who espouse the same values as those early citizens of Montgomery County. Our alumni share a work ethic today that was shaped a century and a quarter earlier. And, yes, Tech alumni are slightly different from those at UVA, W&L, Stanford, Clemson, WVU and elsewhere. The difference is less tangible, but meaningful nonetheless. Its roots lay in that special kind of institution that attracted a young faculty and a few eager students in the 1870s.
Our Alumni Association was formed in 1875 by a dozen early graduates. It had no professional staff support until 50 years later. Volunteers shaped our Association's philosophy of service. It was those dedicated individuals who realized that alumni could always influence Tech's destiny. And influence it, they have! Several early building campaigns produced needed facilities to help the campus grow. Buildings like the early YMCA building, War Memorial Gymnasium, Memorial Chapel, Lane Stadium and others. The newest addition is Torgersen Hall, creating a new gateway along the campus mall, made possible by significant alumni support to match state funding.
Not only bricks and mortar have been keys to successful support from alumni. Major gift campaigns in the 1980s and 90s have increased university endowments and strengthened academic and athletic programs.
Early scholarship and professorship programs established by the Alumni Association led the way for more programs of this nature. Today, millions of dollars endowed in the Virginia Tech Foundation touch thousands of students and hundreds of faculty each year. Recognition of excellence is yet another hallmark of the Alumni Association, focusing on student, faculty and alumni achievements. Programs for alumni to stay involved abound. From alumni chapters, to reunions, to following athletic teams, to community service - all rally alumni around a spirit of university pride and service.
Virginia Tech alumni indeed share something very special. And the university is the unquestionable beneficiary. On this occasion of celebrating 125 years of service to Virginia Tech, our Alumni Association thanks all alumni who hold a place in their hearts for their alma mater and who practice her motto, "That I May Serve," everyday of their lives.
