Legacy Carolyn Starks ’16 of Auburn, AL, with Tracy Vezina Patterson ’84 P’17. Starks is the daughter of Virgil Starks III ’85.
ment ceremony. At the graduation rehearsal, Virgil was pulled aside by Dean of Students Bo Scarborough ’67, who had to deliver tragic news—Virgil’s mother had fallen asleep at the wheel, the car ran off the road, and slammed into a tree. She was killed on impact. His two sisters and uncle were in the hospital in serious condition. Members of the class of ’85 were stunned as they watched Virgil fall to his knees and cry out in agony. But the following morning, Virgil lined up with his classmates to walk from Palmer Hall to Fisher Garden. He received his diploma before a tearful, standing ovation. On Nov. 8, 2008, Virgil died of a massive heart attack while driving home from an Auburn University football game. At Virgil’s visitation, people filled the funeral home, and the line to get in wrapped around the building . . . TWICE. As the senior associate athletic director at Auburn, Virgil was charged with guiding the school’s student-athletes to graduation. He served as their role model, mentor, and father figure, and they showed up in force to pay their respects. The Auburn players were joined by countless members of the Rhodes community who had also been touched by Virgil. Virgil Starks had a smile that lit up the room, was fiercely loyal, and handled challenging situations with courage and grace. He truly valued everyone he met, with no regard to their status or material success. He loved Rhodes College and treasured his education. He is sorely missed by all who knew him. I look forward to meeting the inaugural recipients of the scholarship created in Virgil’s honor and letting them know what a privilege it is to be named a Virgil Starks Scholar. — Tracy Vezina Patterson ’84 P’17
40
SPR ING 2014
• RHODES rhodes.edu