Class Notes Spring 2026

1950s 

Don Sowder '59 recently visited campus for Ut Prosim Weekend. Sowder served for many years as chairman of the government affairs task force for the Corps’ alumni board, assuming emeritus status last September. He was one of the first inductees into the Dekker Society, an honor recognizing exceptional service, contributions over many years, and living in the spirit of Ut Prosim. Don currently lives with his wife in Williamsburg, Virginia. 

1960s

Bob Garst ’66 received the inaugural Legacy of Service Award from the College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) for his lifetime of service. Bob served in the Army for 22 years, including two tours in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. He is a generous supporter of Virginia Tech and CNRE and is a member of several donor societies at Virginia Tech. Bob currently serves as a volunteer at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. 

1970s 

John “Bones” Marshall ’70 was inducted into the Aviation Wall of Fame, which is displayed in the Virginia Tech-Montgomery County Executive Airport in Blacksburg and is maintained by the Air Force Flyers organization. Marshall had a distinguished flying career, including 300+ combat missions over Vietnam and in Operation DESERT STORM. 

Rusty Unterzuber ’72 visited Upper Quad to spend time with the VTCC Cyber Team and Skipper Crew. Cadets discussed with Rusty the recent hacking competition they attended, and Rusty visited the Skipper Cave in Pearson Hall East.  

Richard Anderson ’79 was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Anderson previously served in the Virginia General Assembly and on active duty for 30 years in the missile and space career field, and in Air Force international affairs.  

1980s 

Tim Williams ’84 was appointed Virginia's Secretary for Veterans and Defense Affairs. Williams’ new position is the culmination of his active-duty military service, deployments to Iraq, senior leadership in the Virginia Army National Guard, and federal service at the National Guard Bureau. 

J. Pearson ’87 and Renae Pearson ’90 received the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Distinguished Alumni Award for 2026 this April among a crowd of family, friends, and university leaders. The Pearsons were honored for their lifelong support of the Corps and Virginia Tech, including their service on various boards, contributions in the classroom, and generous philanthropy.  

 1990s 

Steve and Scarlett Hughes ’90 visited Blacksburg to catch up with Class of 1990 Corps alumni in the area. Steve also talked to the Global Scholars about the mission of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Steve’s presentation concluded the Global Scholars’ study of leadership in war.  

2000s 

David Nichols ’03 participated in Operation ICE CAMP, a three-week operation designed to research, test, and evaluate operational capabilities in the Arctic region. Nichols served as the officer in tactical control of Ice Camp  Boarfish, which was established on a drifting ice floe and consisted of shelters, a command center, and the infrastructure to support a multinational contingent of personnel.   

Derrick Anderson ’06 was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. In this role, he serves as the principal civilian adviser to the Secretary of War on special operations, irregular warfare, and low-intensity conflict. Previously, Anderson served on the National Security Council and as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army.  

Nick Nelson ’08 was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army this March as he assumed command of 2nd Battalion,134th Infantry Battalion (Airborne). 

2020s

Tim Covert ’22 assumed company command under Combat Logistics Battalion-4 in Okinawa, Japan. In this unit, Covert joins fellow Hokies Markus Gibson ’13 (operations officer) and Danield Purcel ’08 (battalion commander).  

Class of 2026

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets recognized 275 graduates from its program on May 15. Of those, 171 entered service in the military as commissioned officers: 78 in the U.S. Army, 44 in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, and 49 in the U.S Air Force and U.S. Space Force. In addition, 60 are Citizen-Leader Track graduates who will pursue graduate programs, serve in the public and private sector, or follow alternate commissioning paths. The rest will return as civilian students to complete their academic undergraduate degrees.

Welcome to our newest alums!