LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

All about the firsts

I enjoyed reading about firsts in Virginia Tech history in the summer magazine. I did not see the first veterinary class in 1984, of which my husband, Edward T. Knickman (D.V.M. '84), is a member. He has fond memories and lasting friends from his four years in Blacksburg.

Carol Knickman
Jarrettsville, Maryland

I have a very distinct memory of the first Tech touchdown in Lane Stadium. William and Mary was leading 7-3; it was Tech's ball and there was only time for one more play. Owens threw a hail mary to the end zone. The ball went through the hands of a Tech receiver and fell to the ground. The referee ruled a touchdown. Tech was lucky; W&M was robbed!

Bill Bodie '58
Williamsburg, Virginia

When woman were admitted to the Corps of Cadets, they were segregated into a separate dormitory and into a separate unit, L Squadron. The corps was declining in number after the war in Vietnam. In fall 1977, my freshman class was the first to be larger than the previous class in several years, and the corps had about 320 cadets, including L Squadron.

The corps was growing, but the Class of 1980 still had very few men, and my unit, F Squadron, had only three senior men. In spring 1979, L Squadron was disbanded, women cadets were integrated into the rest of the corps, and F Squadron received three women members, more than any other unit.

So the first woman to command a gender-integrated company was Selena S. Daughtrey, commander of F Squadron in 1979-80. In those days before coed dorms and with limited visiting hours, she wasn't even allowed in the company but for a few hours a day.

As always, thanks for keeping the Hokie spirit alive and interesting!

Reuben E. Moore (civil engineering '81)
Sylva, North Carolina

My wife and I were lifelong Virginians until last year when her job brought us to Atlanta. It's been a great move in many respects but we gave up our football tickets and haven't made it back to campus nearly as much as we used to. The most recent Virginia Tech Magazine made me both homesick and very proud of our university at the same time. Thanks for a great publication and keep 'em coming.

Matt Marchal (biochemistry and nutrition '93)
Atlanta, Ga.

Corrections

In the "firsts" cover story in the summer 2014 edition, several dates and facts were incorrect. According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Antoine A.M. Gaujot, Class of 1901, earned the medal for actions at San Mateo in the Philippine Islands on Dec. 19, 1899 (the medal was issued in 1911), and Julien E. Gaujot, Class of 1894, earned the medal for actions at Aqua Prieta, Mexico, on April 13, 1911 (the medal was issued in 1912). Also, Earle Gregory (electrical engineering '23) was the first Virginian to earn the Medal of Honor in World War I for actions on Oct. 8, 1918, north of Verdun, France. Lastly, Patricia Ann Miller (general home economics '59) was awarded a commission in the U.S. Army Women's Medical Specialist Corps, unconnected to ROTC. Thank you to M. Cary Burton (business administration '59) for bringing these matters to our attention.

In addition, this fall the Student Alumni Associates will celebrate their 40th reunion, not their 45th.