The Class of 2010 the Class of 2010
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
THE CLASS OF 2010 RING COLLECTION With the Strength of Many We Serve as One Viribus Multorum Una Servimus Class Colors: Navy, Teal & Silver The Virginia Tech ring collection has become one of the University’s most revered and prestigious traditions since its beginning in 1914. The Ring program is unique from other colleges in that the collection is completely redesigned each year, making it a highly anticipated tradition within the University. 1912 1944 1956 1969 The first Class Ring at Virginia Tech belonged to the Class of 1911, but it was the Class of 1914 that selected the first Ring Design Committee, a special group of students charged with the task of designing a Class Ring that would be unique and meaningful to their class. Ninety-nine years later, the Ring Design Committee of the class still has the unique responsibility of designing a ring collection that represents Virginia Tech and serves as a reflection of the memories and traditions that each class will take with them when they leave Tech. Since 1991 the design process has included the recognition of a distinguished alumnus, alumna or university president. The design, collection, and the namesake are revealed to the Class during the fall of their junior year at Ring Premiere. 1975 1984 1992 2000 RADITION LASS OF 2010 Class Sponsors – Raymond Smoot ’69 and Jean Smoot A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Raymond D. Smoot Jr. ‘69 earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech. As a student, he served as president of SGA. Except for his brief time as a graduate research associate at The Ohio State University where he received his Ph.D., Smoot has spent most of his career with his alma mater, Virginia Tech. As Chief Operating Officer of the Virginia Tech Foundation since 2003, Smoot is responsible for management of assets in excess of $950 million including the university’s $525 million endowment, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, the Hotel Roanoke, and the River Course, a Pete Dye golf course. He is also Director and Treasurer of the university’s technology transfer company and its bookstores and related operations. He previously held several vice presidential posts at Virginia Tech, most recently as Vice President for Administration and the Conference Services area for Student Programs and worked in the Office of the Vice Treasurer. President for Administration. Smoot is active in community affairs, serving as Chairman of StellarOne Bank, and director She is originally from New Lexington, Ohio and has a bachelor of science degree in education of StellarOne Corporation, director and investment committee chair of Carilion Clinic, and from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in family studies from Michigan State director of Warm Hearth (a non-profit retirement community), RGC Resources, Inc., and University. the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has served as Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Virginia Retirement System, one of the nation’s largest pension funds. Jean is a member of the Virginia Tech Women and Leadership in Philanthropy Council Smoot was recognized by the Association of University Research Parks as recipient of its and serves on the Philanthropy Committee. She is also a member of the New River Valley 2005 National Community Leadership Award. Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Board, Christ Episcopal Church and a local book club. Jean N. Smoot is currently the Director of the Hokie Passport Office at Virginia Tech. The Smoots have four children, Amanda Smoot of Midlothian, Darren who is married to In other roles at Virginia Tech, she was a counselor for the Upward Bound/Talent Search Lindsey Schultz Eversole of Christiansburg, Eric Eversole of Roanoke, and Ben Smoot of Program at Virginia Tech, managed the Event Planning Office in Student Activities and Charleston, South Carolina. Ring Collection Namesake – G. Truman Ward George Truman “G.T.” Ward entered Virginia Tech in the fall quarter of 1945. World War II had just ended. After just one quarter as a cadet in the Corps of Cadets, he was drafted into the Army Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He served 18 months with the occupational forces in northern Japan before returning to Virginia Tech to complete his bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1951. While at Tech, he married his wife of 58 years, Margaret Hall Ward ’50, who passed away in November 2007. Ward continued his studies at Tech to earn his master’s degree in architecture in 1952 and began his career in architecture in 1953. In 1964, he entered into a partnership to establish the firm Ward/Hall Associates, AIA. He has had a long and distinguished career in architecture, designing notable buildings including the Center for Innovative Technology near Dulles airport and several buildings on the Virginia Tech campus – the Merryman Athletic Center near Lane Stadium and the VTLS and Waste Policy Institute buildings in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the College Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, as well as many business and public service organizations. The extent of his leadership and service to Virginia Tech can be demonstrated by the astounding number of positions and leadership roles he has held on university boards, including the Board of Visitors, Chairman of the National Campaign for Excellence, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Director of the Virginia Tech Foundation, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Board, President of the William Preston Society, Director of the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund Board, and a Lifetime Golden Hokie. Ward has demonstrated his lifetime commitment to Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture through his distinguished service and generosity in support of the university. Ward established an endowed chair and scholarship within the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech and served as the first chair of their Advisory Council for six years. In that time, he provided vital assistance to the deans and administrators, achieving a number of college goals, such as the creation of a college endowment, promoting the college’s need for additional space, and obtaining the site for the Center for European Studies and Architecture in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. In recognition of his lifelong service to Virginia Tech, Ward was presented the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1988. He was the 1996 recipient of the William H. Ruffner Medal, the university’s most prestigious honor, awarded annually to recognize individuals who have performed notable and distinguished service to the university. NSPIRATION ESIGN The Ring Design Committee is selected in our sophomore year. The Committee members brainstorm ring designs for months, striving to gather the most important elements of our Virginia Tech experience. The Class of 2010 Ring Committee chose meaningful elements of Blacksburg, Hokie sports, and the Virginia Tech campus to represent the experiences and events that shaped our lives as Hokies. After several rounds of sketching, the committee presents its ideas to an artist who creates an illustration of the ring. The drawing is edited to perfection until it is approved by the committee. From there the ring design is given to the Balfour manufacturing plant. Classmates of 2010, We have already completed two life-changing years at Virginia Tech, overcoming and soaring beyond the goals we set our first few days as freshmen. Now as members of the Junior Class, we are taking bigger steps into becoming the men and women we’ve always dreamed about. With these steps and leaps of faith, we have absorbed and embodied ourselves with Virginia Tech’s finest traditions and now it is our turn to receive one of the oldest and most beloved University traditions of all. Since the Class of 1914, Virginia Tech has had one of the top Ring Collections any other university will ever see. What makes the Virginia Tech ring so special is that students redesign both sides making it unique to each class. Members of my committee and I are privileged and honored to represent the Class of 2010 by creating a ring that will fully represent our time spent at this great institution. When you look at your ring I hope you do not find it to be another piece of jewelry you wear only for special occasions or events. Instead, I hope you find your own meaning in The 2010 Ring Design Committee your Class ring. The committee and I chose certain events and memories to honor, but (left to right) Christopher Nimmo, Cadet Member-at-Large it is you who will make the ring tradition worthy of repeating. The memories you’ve Agnes Chang, Committee Member-at-Large created, the relationships you’ve built, and the unforgettable experiences that give Nate Taylor, Male Member-at-Large you wisdom, compassion and spirit, will carry with you for the rest of your life. My Carlin Conaway, Committee Member-at-Large Cassie Krause, Ring Design Chair classmates, you are a part of Virginia Tech’s tradition and history, so let’s give those who Brian Golden, Class President came before us and those who will follow something to remember. Angela Bowers, Female Member-at-Large Alex Miller, Ring Dance Chair Sincerely, Laura Wedin ‘84, Advisor (not pictured) Cassie Krause Ring Design Chair, Class of 2010 ROCESS ONSTRUCTION Your ring will be produced using the ancient lost wax process. Years of experience are needed for an artisan to gain the touch, insight, and intuition needed to master the techniques required of this c process. Great care is taken at every stage of production to ensure an exceptionally clear and finely detailed casting. Each and every ring passes through the skilled hands of at least 30 craftsmen and is subjected to seven detailed inspections to ensure it meets all our quality standards.