Class Notes the Jackson Battery, Stonewall and the barracks. Brother rats in attendance included: Acuff, Adams, Berkness, Booker, Brayshaw, Bryan, Clary, Coleman, Davis, Dudley, Dunlap, Ellington, Fogleman, Gault, Gearhart, Honeywell, Kelly, Kennedy, Kerley, Kirby, Lindsey, Martenstein, Metzger, O’Donnell, Price, Randolph, Siebert, Strickler, Tashima and Yorgey. Some photos from the event are included in this edition of the Review, and others have been posted on various Facebook pages. The same weekend as Tim’s retirement activities, our annual Volunteer Leadership Conference was taking place over in Marshall Hall. During the afternoon session, our BR Jerry Acuff gave an inspirational speech to the group consisting of class agents and alumni chapter leaders. By all accounts that I have heard, the “Cuffer” did his usual outstanding job. Following his talk, Jerry joined us on the Parade Ground for the retirement parade. During the weekend, the group received updates on many aspects of VMI. A campaign update, Keydet Club and athletic news, financial update, duties of agents and some breakout sessions to discuss areas of mutual interest were all part of the agenda. We were also given an excellent publication prepared by the Office of Assessment & Institutional Research called simply, “VMI Fact Book.” The information in this booklet will be most helpful for the leadership to share information with alumni, supporters of VMI and prospective cadets. The Kentucky Derby was held the first Saturday in May. A part of the pageantry for that great event is the Kentucky Derby Survivor Parade, featuring survivors of breast and ovarian cancer. Participants are selected by online voting to encourage support of research in the fight against cancer. Races actually occur over a three-day period, and it is Friday afternoon before the Running of the Oaks Race that the survivor parade is conducted.
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Class of 1971: Tim and Leah Golden at a reception following the VMI retirement parade April 8, 2016. Approximately 60 people representing the Class of ’71 were present for the event honoring Tim for his 38 years of service to VMI. Photo by Kathryn Kelly.
Class of 1971: At the reception for Col. Tim Golden in Marshall Library were, from left, Tim Golden, T.S. Gault, Rick Littleton, Bev Littleton, Ken Yorgey, Sam Kirby and Tom Martenstein. Photo by Kathryn Kelly.
Class of 1971: At a winter rendezvous in Tampa, Florida, were, from left, Lanny Gault, Ox Schrader, Jim Sefick, Ned Mikula and Jim Neale.
Wearing pink outfits and carrying lilies (official flower of the day), the ladies walk on the actual track on which the Derby is held. This year’s parade included Skull Turner’s daughter, Angela, who received a huge number of votes – many coming from members of the Class of ’71. I have recently received the Annual Giving report for the end of the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2016. Our class had 84 donors, which represents an alumni percentage of giving rate of 33.07 percent. Gentlemen, we are so very close to catching our nemesis, the Class of ’70. They came in barely a point ahead of us. With just a couple of more BRs joining in, we can be No. 1. I really appreciate all of you who find a way to support VMI each and every year. I encourage those who have not given yet this year ... or any year lately ... to give some serious thought to supporting something at VMI through your financial gifts. One of the reasons that the Class of ’71 should be congratulated is the fact that the average alumni participation for Annual Giving is now hovering around 24 percent (compared to our 33-plus). VMI, however, at one time had a giving rate among alumni of 54 percent. One more thing to ponder (and this one really worries me) is that not one of the 45 classes that graduated from VMI after we did can match our giving percentage. Maybe give the younger men and women some slack while they are getting themselves established in life, but the rest need to begin answering the bell. We can help in that effort by continuing to exhibit leadership and by making it known that VMI must have greater support from the private sector to continue to be “no ordinary college.” These notes will reach your homes sometime around mid-August. By then, you will have all of the information you need in order to be part of our 45th Reunion celebration. As I write these notes, it is mid-May, and the excitement level is way up there already.
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