Philanthropy: Woven in Stone and Service

By Kelley Corvin VT '12, Chief Advancement Officer

Honor, Duty, Brotherhood, Loyalty, Leadership, Service, Sacrifice and Ut Prosim are more than words etched on the Pylons; they are the fabric of what it means to be a Hokie. These values are the DNA that make up the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. They are values that transcend generations — guiding principles that bring us all together and form our way of life before and after graduation.  

What makes the Corps so special is the rich history and traditions of honoring those who came before to make us who we are today. Sitting at my window in the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building, I look out over the 1st Lt. Timothy E. Price ’01 Memorial Flag Plaza, across Fullhart Plain, and to the back of Lane Hall. Each of these spaces on Upper Quad are daily reminders of what it means to live a life of Ut Prosim and to fully embody the values etched in the pylons.  

The transformation of the Upper Quad into premier facilities wouldn’t be possible without support from alumni and friends who believe in the Corps, who understand that investing in facilities, in scholarships, in the Global Scholars program, and in the museum, all serve a greater purpose to help not only the Corps of Cadets of today, but to educate and inspire future leaders of greatness.   

Our cadets are fortunate to see philanthropy in action every day. From the classrooms they learn in, to having one-on-one conversations with their scholarship donors, and even doing morning PT on a beautiful new lawn, cadets witness and benefit from the generosity that surrounds them daily. They graduate with a greater sense of giving back and helping the next generation. This is key for the Corps as we move into the future and determine what philanthropic support looks like to maintain, sustain, and grow opportunities for cadets and the Corps.  

Corps alumni are in a unique position compared to university alumni regarding class size and growth. The Corps alumni population will shrink significantly before it starts to build back up, meaning that Corps alumni who are able to give back philanthropically will decrease significantly over the upcoming years. This makes participation from all Corps alumni at any level of gift important.  

Giving Day 2026 is scheduled for February 18-19 from noon to noon. This is a great opportunity to give a gift of any amount and help the Corps. Don’t stop with just a gift of your own: ask your friends, family, and others who might be inspired by what our cadets are doing. Remind them that they have a chance to impact cadets in a meaningful way, too.   

And don’t forget, Virginia Tech is in the final stretch of the Boundless Impact Campaign set to wrap in 2027. If you are interested in making a gift and helping the Corps reach its campaign goal of $80 million dollars, there is still time!  

Every day when I step onto Upper Quad, I am thankful for alumni and friends of the Corps, past, present, and future, who continue to make the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets special. The understanding that “we take care of our own” is knitted within the culture of the Corps, the staff, with the support of alumni and friends.  

If you would like to discuss the impact you can have on the Corps of Cadets and our future leaders, please contact me, Kelley Corvin, at (540-231-2806), kcorvin@vt.edu and we can find the opportunity that is right for you.  

Special Naming Opportunities

Spaces

A few naming opportunities remain available in the new Corps Leadership and Military Science Building, as well as other locations on Upper Quad. Secure your legacy naming for years to come.  

Endowments  

Endowments provide a dependable, perpetual source of funding for things such as cadet scholarships, travel funding, and programmatic support. Endowments create a funding source to support the Corps in perpetuity.  

WAYS TO GIVE:

Annual Gifts:

Annual gifts of any amount can make an immediate impact. They can be in the form of a one-time gift or set up on a convenient, recurring basis.  

Non-Cash

There are many other ways to support the Corps with non-cash gifts such as will bequest intentions, beneficiary designations, and a few other opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about one of these ways to give, please contact us to learn more.

Employer Matching Gifts

Many Corps donors are employed by companies that encourage donations to higher education. Before making your gift, please check https://www.give.vt.edu/ways-to-give/employer-match.html to see if your company provides a matching contribution.

In Memory / In Honor

Scholarships, endowed positions, Corps facilities, or programs can be named in memory of a special individual. Gifts may also be made to honor a loved one or someone who inspires you. Contact our team to learn more!