A Message From the Foundation President

I want to start by thanking the GCAF Board of Directors for putting their faith in me as the new President. My background with the GCAF Board dates back to 1984 when I was asked to become the second Executive Director (ED), following Crennie Reed ‘78. Charlie Gordon ’42 was my first boss, quickly followed by Henry Dekker ‘44. After my three-year ED term, I became a Board member. In 2005, our family moved to California and it was difficult to make meetings in Blacksburg (imagine a time when Zoom did not exist!). I felt it was unfair for me to occupy a seat when others could be more involved, so I stepped down. About 15 years later we moved back to the southeast (South Carolina this time) and shortly thereafter, pining to be back at my beloved alma mater, I asked to rejoin the Board. After a year, and much to my surprise, I was asked to run for President. I find myself in a unique situation – having the experience of being a long-time Board Member, but also having had the opportunity to step away and watch my son walk through his own German Club journey. This has provided me with experience for the role, but also the ability to approach it with fresh new eyes. It is with this “experience, with new freshness“ that I pray my term as President will be viewed upon as successful, building on the success of my predecessors.

Speaking of successful Presidents, on behalf of the Alumni and the Board, I would like to thank Keith Stemple ‘95 for his dedicated leadership of the Foundation for the past six years. He helped guide the team through two fabulous reunions, a successful campaign, a historic pandemic, and he did this with four different EDs (Mike Carisetti ‘07, Scott Guichard ‘13, Ben Nicoll ‘19, and Tommy Yambrick ‘87). Keith, with the help of the Board Members, I will do my best to keep the progress of the Foundation moving forward, the support for the Club membership always in our hearts and minds, and service to the University and community our mission.

As you read this, the Foundation is in the “summer season.” We recently welcomed 27 VT graduates into the ranks of GC alumni. The Facilities Committee, led by Craig Balzer, will be engaging in a few Manor maintenance items over the summer. The Development Committee, led by Brian Dunch, will be wrapping up the very successful Foundation for the Future campaign, and Tommy Yambrick will be seeing more wedding receptions than perhaps anyone on the planet, as the Manor is a popular wedding site. And before you know it, the cars will be rolling up the hill returning our Hokies to the start of another new school year. Believe it or not, the Alumni Relations Committee, led by David Glenn, has already begun planning for the 135th Reunion. I was recently with David at the VT Sesquicentennial (150th) celebration at a new on-campus venue, and you could see the wheels in his mind spinning. Given the feedback from the 130th, it will be a tough act to follow.

I wish all alumni a wonderful mask-free summer, time with family and friends, safe travels, and time to recharge!

GERMAN-ly, Dave Cooper Class of 1983 GCAF President