He Will Be Missed

By Katie Mallory '03, communications director

After 13 years serving as the commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart will retire this July. The longest serving commandant in Corps history, Fullhart created an environment of growth and excellence during his tenure, seeing the completion of three new residence halls for cadets and a new headquarters building, the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building, for the corps and ROTC units.  

But his impact was seen in more than just buildings. He redefined the path for cadets seeking non-military careers after graduation with the Citizen-Leader Track and planted the seed for the credited study-abroad program, Global Scholars, allowing cadets to study leadership decisions on site from the world wars. He created a culture where cadet organizations and identity groups would blossom, such as the Black Cadet Organization, Cyber Team, and Growley Team to name only a few.

“While we physically see the new state-of-the-art facilities on Upper Quad, thanks in very large measure to our Commandant, the real legacy he leaves is on the thousands of cadets who’ve passed through those portals over the years, that took the road less traveled, a non-traditional, military-style college experience, to be part of a brother and sisterhood larger than themselves.  At the end of the day, it’s all about our cadets, their ability to thrive and succeed, and Maj. Gen. Fullhart worked tirelessly, selflessly, for them.  Everything was in lock step with the vision he created for us, “Global Ethical Leaders…Now More than Ever”,” said Lt. Col. Don Russell, deputy commandant for 2nd Battalion.

Fullhart also worked to foster campus partnerships by including cross-campus entities in cadet training such as Hokie Wellness, Residential Well Being, and Cook Counseling. Another impressive achievement of his is increased enrollment in the Corps, which grew 23 percent in his 13 years. To support the increased number of cadets, he also more than doubled faculty and staff positions to support cadets.

Col. Craig Alia, deputy commandant of 1st Battalion said, “While his legacy is the completely renovated Upper Quad, we should never overlook that his most important investment was in the people around him. He fought tirelessly to increase scholarship opportunities for cadets, personally welcomed new members of the university and Corps team, grew the Corps, grew the staff to support the cadets, and invested in our leader development program. Maj. Gen. Fullhart fully embodied Ut Prosim and we are all better for having worked with him.”

More than just building a staff, he also showed steady support for that staff, especially during a frenzied growth period with constant construction and even a global pandemic.

“Maj. Gen. Fullhart was tremendous in his support of his staff. We all faced various family challenges during his tenure, and he gave each of us his full support in whatever we needed to work through our challenges, especially during COVID. We never had to question whether we had his full support. He made working for the Corps and Virginia Tech a good place to be. He will be missed,” said Lt. Col. Rewa Mariger, assistant commandant for recruiting.

For the Corps alumni on staff, the positive changes in the Corps thanks to Maj. Gen. Fullhart cannot be understated.

Col. Bob Shelton ’95, deputy commandant for 3rd Battalion shared, “As an alum of the program, I can attest that Maj. Gen. Fullhart has absolutely taken the Corps to new heights. His vision was the cornerstone, and from it he laid the foundation for sustaining the Corps for the next 150 years. Today, these young leaders benefit from a robust professional staff and state of the art infrastructure and facilities resultant from his vision for the Corps. He’s also brought tremendous depth to the 4-year leader development program and catapulted Virginia Tech as the premier senior military college in the country.”

His legacy reaches beyond Upper Quad, and he has impacted more than cadets and Corps staff. Maj. Gen. Fullhart served as a powerful voice for the Corps in Richmond and across the Virginia Tech community.

“Maj. Gen. Fullhart has dedicated more than a decade of service to Virginia Tech, advancing the mission of the Corps of Cadets as an administrator, instructor, and respected leader,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “The university greatly appreciates his exceptional service. Under his oversight, the construction of new facilities on the Upper Quad, the growth of the cadet population, and the strong relationship with cadet alumni have been transformative and will serve the university well for the generations to come.”

But for the man himself, it was always about the cadets.

“I feel very gratified thinking about all the cadets whom I've shaken hands with as they walk across the stage, their next chapter and their next adventure ahead of them. That’s ultimately why I wanted this type of work, to help equip young men and women who aspire to make a difference in the world,” said Maj. Gen. Fullhart.

Upon his retirement, the commandant and Mrs. Kathy Fullhart will move to Texas to be closer to family. The mark he has left on Virginia Tech and its beloved Corps can surely be a point of pride as he transitions into retirement. Maj. Gen. Fullhart embodied Ut Prosim and his service to the Corps has been historic.

He will be missed.