VIRGINIA TECH CLASS OF 2009 CD Placement FORTITUDINE BY ENDURANCE VINCIMUS WE CONQUER CLASS OF 2009 CLASS MOTTO FORTITUDINE VINCIMUS BY ENDURANCE WE CONQUER CLASS COLORS CLASS SPONSOR BLUE & DR. KAREN WHITE DEPAUW HISTORY OF THE VIRGINIA TECH RING The Virginia Tech sabre and rifle, and oak leaves. The first class ring had a flat flush ring collection has stone (many being amethyst) with a bezel top. Prosser himself become one of arranged for the sale and shipment of the rings. the University’s most revered and It is from Fred Prosser’s beginning idea that the very first Virginia prestigious traditions Tech class ring was born and with it a tradition that has lived on since its beginning. for 98 years! The Ring program is The Class of 1914 was the first to choose a committee to design a unique from other ring that would be unique and significant to each graduating class. colleges in that the Since that time a Class Ring Design Committee has been selected collection is completely redesigned each year, making it a highly from members of the sophomore class who are challenged with anticipated tradition within the University. the task of creating a collection symbolizing the spirit of the class, Fred Prosser, 1911 Class President, first began the Virginia Tech Ring combined with the pride of the University. Along with designing tradition when he brought his ideas to his fellow classmates during the collection, a namesake is bestowed: a tradition that was a senior class meeting where a consensus on a class ring could not founded by Julian A. Burruss in 1991. The Class of 2009 is be met. Upset at the lack of a class ring, Prosser, now a graduate presenting the namesake to Mr. William C. Latham. student at the University, decided that the Class of 1911 needed a The ring collection is unveiled to the class in the fall of their junior class ring to symbolize their time at Virginia Tech. After appealing year at Ring Premiere. Since 1934, the rings are officially presented to his former peers, the class of 1911 decided to go forward with to the class the following spring at Ring Dance. Recognizing time- creating the first class ring at Virginia Tech. Prosser then went to a honored traditions, the Class of 2009 has designed a collection that jeweler with his own drafted drawing of the design which included pays tribute to the University and the rich history that accompanies a screaming eagle, a cannon barrel, a Victorian shield, a crossed it, while hoping to leave its imprint on the University. THE VIRGINIA TECH RING TIMELINE 1912 1927 1934 1944 1955 1969 1975 1984 1992 2000 2004 2008 2009 CLASS PRESIDENT, ADEEL KHAN Dear Class of 2009, As our class has journeyed through both our freshman and sophomore years we have not only challenged our intellect, but we have learned valuable life lessons and created memories that will last us the rest of our lives. In our time here we have formed lasting friendships, gained a sense of community, and learned what it truly is to be a Hokie. We have shown our Hokie spirit by embracing and pushing all of our athletic teams to the forefront of the ACC. The Hokie spirit we have for our athletics is only surpassed by the spirit that we have for the Virginia Tech community. Through many different outlets we have served our community and learned about ourselves and in what we believe. With our combined efforts, we have ADEEL KHAN grown closer to fellow students, faculty, and Virginia Tech. In one way or another, by being a part of the Class of 2009, we have all created a legacy and become intertwined with the tradition of Virginia Tech. The longest standing tradition at Virginia Tech, the class ring, is what binds us to our class and to the more than 200,000 living alumni nationwide. The 2009 class ring is your constant reminder of your accomplishment, memories, and pride for your time at Virginia Tech. I encourage you to embrace this Hokie tradition by receiving your class ring at the Ring Dance this coming March. Sincerely, Adeel Khan Class of 2009 President THE WILLIAM C. LATHAM RING COLLECTION William C. Latham graduated from In recognition of his service to the university, he was awarded the Virginia Tech in 1955 with a Bachelor Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1996. of Science in General Agriculture. Upon his graduation, he returned home to Bill and his wife Betty recently gave a $5 million gift to be used to Haymarket to operate Waterloo Farm, establish an endowed fund to support academic research in the a 700-acre dairy and general farm. He College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In recognition of this gift later founded Budget Motels, Inc., and their life-long commitment to service and philanthropy, the new which currently owns and operates agriculture and natural resources research building was named the one Comfort Inn and nine Days Inns. William C. and Elizabeth Latham Agriculture and Natural Resources Building, dedicated on September 22, 2006. Mr. Latham was appointed by governors Charles Robb and James Gilmore to serve Currently serving as the co-chairs of the College of Agriculture and WILLIAM C. LATHAM two terms on the Virginia Tech Board of Life Sciences Campaign Steering Committee, the Lathams have made Visitors, where he chaired the Building and Grounds Committee and several other significant contributions to Virginia Tech including was also appointed Vice Rector. those to enhance the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the livestock-teaching arena, and to the Northern Virginia 4-H educational Mr. Latham continues an extensive volunteer career with the university center. They have provided funds for a lab in the Virginia Maryland including service on the Hospitality and Tourism Management Council, Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and established an the Class of ’55 Reunion Gift Committee, the Pamplin Advisory endowment for the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. The Council, the Alumni Association Board of Directors (past-president), university has also benefited from their support to the alumni Hokies for Higher Education, the Virginia Tech Foundation Board and and conference center, WVTF-FM public radio, and to athletic Executive Committee. He served on the National Leadership Campaign programs and scholarships for student athletes. Committee for the university’s Alumni and Conference Center Campaign and filled leadership roles as a campaign steering committee member for the current comprehensive campaign as well as two earlier capital campaigns. THE VIRGINIA TECH CLASS OF 2009 CONQUER TRIUMPH HONOR ACHIEVE MEN’S COLLECTION WILLIAM C. LATHAM RING COLLECTION ENDURANCE PERSEVERANCE LOYALTY SACRIFICE VITALITY STRENGTH VICTORY FORTITUDE WOMEN’S COLLECTION VIRGINIA TECH CLASS OF 2009 CLASS SIDE • 2009 Interlocking Chain — A traditional part of the ring since 1940, representing class pride and unity. The links in the chain are the numerals 2009. 2009 2009 INTERLOCKING • 2009 — The year of our commencement features the Gobbler and the HokieBird. They CHAIN symbolize our mascot’s transformation through time, as well as students time here at Tech. • The Clasped Hands — The shaking of the hands represents diversity amongst the class and is THE CLASPED featured on the Brotherhood Pylon on the War Memorial. HANDS VT BASKETBALL • VT Basketball — The men’s 2007 basketball team re-emerged on the national spotlight after being ranked throughout the season. Some of this year’s highlights consisted of sweeping two perennial power houses in the ACC, Duke and North Carolina. • “Fortitudine Vincimus” — The Latin translation of the Class of 2009 motto: “By Endurance We Conquer.” “FORTITUDINE • Downtown Blacksburg — Founded in 1798 on a thirty- eight acre tract deeded by William Black, for whom the town was named. Downtown Blacksburg serves as a place for the Virginia THE VINCIMUS” Tech community to enjoy local restaurants and night-life. HOKIEBIRD • The HokieBird — First appearing in 1987, the HokieBird is the official mascot of Virginia Tech. LANE STADIUM • Merryman Athletic Center — Representing all Division I athletics at Virginia Tech. DOWNTOWN • Lane Stadium — Consistently rated as one of the top five toughest places to play in BLACKSBURG MERRYMAN the country, Lane Stadium has a special place in every Hokies’ heart. ATHLETIC • Class Logo — The official logo of the Class of 2009. CENTER • Mountains — Virginia Tech is situated in scenic southwestern Virginia between the Blue Ridge MOUNTAINS and Alleghany mountain ranges. • The Drillfield — One of Virginia Tech's most identifiable landmarks 2009 and also considered the center of campus. The Drillfield has served CLASS LOGO as the pathway to class, a stage for the Corps Pass and Review, as THE DRILLFIELD well as a field for many students' play or study. • VT Ribbon — A symbol created in remembrance of the lives VT RIBBON affected by the tragic events that occurred on our campus. It is displayed in the Drillfield to depict an occurrence forever embedded in the heart of the Hokie Nation. MMIX • MMIX — Roman numerals which stand for 2009. CONQUER — OVAL TOP VIRGINIA TECH CLASS OF 2009 UNIVERSITY SIDE • “Ut Prosim” — The Virginia Tech motto “That I May Serve”, adopted in 1896. UT PROSIM 1872 • The Skipper — The cannon heard during VT football games and around campus since 1964. THE SKIPPER • Burruss Hall — Built in 1936, it serves as the current administrative building whose namesake was former University President Julian Ashby Burruss, who served a 26 year tenure, the longest of any BURRUSS VT President. HALL • Lane Hall — The oldest academic building still in use on the Virginia Tech Campus. It opened in 1888 as LANE HALL ‘No. 1 Barracks’ and housed 150 cadets. • 1872 — Founded in 1872, Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College.