Class Notes

1950s

Don Sowder ’59 recently authored and published a book entitled "If You Think You Can, You Can." The book tells the heart-warming and fascinating story of the author's rise from near poverty as a mountain farm boy to prominent leadership roles at the local, state, and national level. Born and raised in his early years in a home that did not have electricity or indoor plumbing, he rose to participate in much of what this country has to offer.

1960s

Homer Hickam ’64 was awarded the Viginia Tech Corps of Cadets Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his service in Vietnam, career with NASA, and his illustrious accomplishments as an author.

1970s

Bruce Simmons ’72 in July 2024 published a fiction novel about the first women admitted to a previously all-male senior military school, titled "The Women of Company L - Marching Through the Sally Port.” 

Tom Belote ’77 recently served in Santa Anna, El Salvador delivering bibles and wheelchairs to the disabled community. Additionally, Tom spearheaded a fund-raising campaign to place a plaque honoring all VTCC Army alumni at The National Museum of the United States Army.

1980s

Bill Glose ’89 recently received the Fiction Book of the Year Award from the Library of Virginia for his book titled “All the Ruined Men.” Borrowing from his own experience as a paratrooper and a combat veteran, Glose tells the stories of soldiers adjusting to life as civilians after years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bill Glose (left) with best-selling author David Baldacci at the 2023 Library of Virginia award ceremony.

1990s

Capt. Jim Von St. Paul ’98 assumed command of Destroyer Squadron Two in Norfolk, Virginia.

2010s

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Eleanor Franc ’19 is a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) team leader. She deployed on a DPAA recovery operation in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in March 2024. 

2020s

265 members of the Class of 2024 graduated from the Corps of Cadets this May.