Letters

To the letter

My trip to Virginia Tech for my 50th class reunion brought back memories of my father, Edward L. White '31, who lettered VPI diplomas from 1926 through 1931.

Following graduation, my dad and Lewis Webb '31 started the Division of William & Mary/VPI, which, in 1962, became Old Dominion University. How fondly I remember visiting Blacksburg during the 1950s with my dad. These visits were instrumental in my eventually matriculating to Virginia Tech.

Although I have checked with Special Collections, they have been unable to find a diploma from this era. I'd be interested in seeing if I might locate one of the diplomas my father lettered. I'd love to preserve a picture of one for our family history.

Woody White '66

Atlanta, Georgia

Editor's Note: If you have a diploma lettered between 1926 and 1931 and would like to share a picture with Mr. White, contact vtmag@vt.edu.

Sticky fingers

I wore my VT class ring for a number of years after graduating in 1971. Eventually, it was relegated to a jewelry box in a chest of drawers for safekeeping.

In 1991, movers packed and loaded our belongings for a move to Atlanta. Not long after settling into our new city, I received a call from an Atlanta police detective. He had discovered a Virginia Tech class ring on display at a local pawn shop. He confiscated the ring, called the university alumni office, and identified me as the owner. He kindly returned my ring later that afternoon.

After that, it was back to a box for the ring — a safe deposit box!

Brad Kirk '71

Jacksonville, Florida

A classy legacy

I read with interest the story by Charles Masencup in the fall 2016 issue.

When I started at Tech in 1967, T.J. Horn was associate dean of agriculture. He was a great inspiration to me, and his help gave me the guts to pursue veterinary medicine. As much as a student can consider a dean a friend, I considered him such. One of the things I remember most about him was his well-worn Tech class ring. I remember thinking that it must have a lot of history.

I still have my 1970 class ring, and I wear it on special occasions (I wouldn't want to leave it in a cow). My brother, Gordon Groover (animal science '79, M.S. '88, Ph.D. '01), associate professor emeritus at Tech, lost his ring while fishing with me in Lake Huron. Enjoyed your article very much.

C.A. Groover '71

Pickford, Michigan