ALUMNI FRONT
14th Annual Legacy Day at VMI by Robert Crumpler ’07 The VMI Alumni Association
The VMI Alumni Association’s 14th Annual Legacy Day was held on March 29, 2008. Legacy Day gives VMI alumni the chance to share memories and introduce their families to Institute life. The concept for Legacy Day originated in 1994 by the late Kurt Iversen ’85, who was then a member of the Alumni Association staff. Kurt was inspired by remembering the times he spent visiting VMI with his father, Ken Iversen ’54, some of Ken’s Brother Rats and their children. Kurt knew that Legacy Day would provide an excellent opportunity for all alumni and their children to experience the same memories and feelings he had during his childhood. Thanks to Kurt’s thoughtfulness and originality, the successful and popular Legacy Day program was implemented by the Alumni Association. Legacy Day 2008 drew over 200 members of the VMI family from as far away as California and Massachusetts. Ralph Taber ’82 traveled across the continental United States from California with his son, Christopher, and claimed the prize for traveling the farthest to be at Legacy Day. Patrick Griffin ’80 brought his son, John, from Massachusetts to visit VMI and to meet with his Brother Rat Gary Fellows ’80 who brought his daughter, Nicole. The class of ’84 was the most well
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represented, including 18 guests and family members of Brother Rats Steven Barsamian, Christopher Bruch, Francis Kollmansperger, Jeffrey Levenson, Daniel Liston, William Morris, Lt. Col. Andrew Petretti, Lt. Col. Peter Watling and Rodney Winebrenner. The class of ’94 was represented by Maj. Sean Dickman, Maj. Bradley Rees and Lt. Cmdr. Michael Runkle and their family members. Ramil Ibañez ’90 was on Post for Legacy Day, as well, with his wife, Karen, and three children, Ashleigh, Jonah and Joshua. Many local families of VMI staff and the Alumni Agencies attended, including Capt. Brian Quisenberry ’81 and his family, as well as
Matthew Schwarzmann ’90 with his wife and four children. As is tradition, the day began with prizes, a demonstration by the VMI Pipes and Drums and the Legacy Parade. After the legacies passed in review, there was a group photo in front of Preston Library, as well as a group photo in front of the Parapet, with alumni performing a recitation of the inscription on the Parapet from memory. Following the photos, a tour of Barracks and lunch in Crozet Hall, most alumni and families watched the VMI lacrosse team defeat Wagner in the newly renovated Foster Stadium. Lastly, legacies were given
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