Corps Review Spring 2018

D I S T I N G U I S H E D A L UMN I AWA R D David E. Lowe ’63 and Air Force Gen. Thomas C. Richards ’56 followed two different paths to successful careers and dedication to community service. Both were honored in April with our first-ever Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award formalizes the Corps’ long tradition of

The Corps Review is published two times a year by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Inc. (VTCCA). J. Pearson ’87, Chairman, VTCCA Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, Commandant of Cadets Col. Patience Larkin ’87, Alumni Director Shay Barnhart, Communications Director and Editor Sandi R. Bliss, Chief Advancement Officer Photography: H. Pat Artis VT’71; Shay Barnhart; Logan Wallace; Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart; Kathy Fullhart; Stevens Photography. Comments and all material for the magazine should be mailed to Editor, Corps Review; 252 Lane Hall, Virginia Tech; 280 Alumni Mall; Blacksburg, VA 24061. Persons wishing to reprint any portion of the contents of Corps Review must contact the editor for permission. © 2018, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Corps Review can be accessed online at www.vtcc.vt.edu/corpsreview Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. Anyone having questions concerning any of those regulations should contact the Office of Equity and Access. Front cover: Members of the Gregory Guard precision drill team stand at attention. Photo by H. Pat Artis VT’71. Back cover: The Gregory Guard has grown its numbers from about 15 to 25 cadets in recent years. Photo by H. Pat Artis VT’71. Follow us on social media. Facebook: /VTCCA Twitter: @vtcorpsofccadets Instagram: @vtcorpsofccadets Linkedin: /company/virginiatechcorpsofcadets

honoring men and women who graduated from its ranks and are the inspiration and mentors to current cadets. Corps alumni can make nominations to honor living alumni who were enrolled in the Corps for a minimum of two years (four semesters or eight quarters). Lowe built a career with the C&P Tele- phone Company of West Virginia — which became Bell Atlantic and eventually, Veri- zon. Richards is the first four-star general among the Corps’ alumni and illuminates the idea of selfless service. Lowe has a history of leading commu- nity, educational, and economic develop- ment activities that bring untold benefits

David Lowe

Gen. Thomas C. Richards

to the places he calls home. He champions long-range and strategic planning efforts and is a guiding force on the Corps alumni board of directors. He is an honorary lifetime board member of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. The Class of 2013 honored him as its class ring namesake, and he was awarded Virginia Tech’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. Richards amassed 4,700 flying hours, including 624 combat missions in Vietnam, and went on to command positions with the Air Force Academy, the Basic Military Training School, 8th Air Force, and Air University. He earned his fourth star as deputy commander in chief of the U.S. European Command in Germany and, after retirement from the military, went on to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1990, Virginia Tech awarded him the University Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Class of 1992 dedicated its class ring col- lection to him. “These two recipients epitomize both the Military-Leader Track and Citizen-Leader Track that our Corps provides today’s generation of cadets as they become the kind of global, ethical leaders that are needed now, more than ever,” said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of cadets.

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