Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1896-1944)
Administrative History
Two cadet companies were organized in 1872-73, but the Corps of Cadets was not officially established until 1891-92. The first Commandant of Cadets was General J.H. Lane, appointed in 1872. Commandants have been appointed by the Board of Visitors since that time, except for 1880-81 when the Board failed to appoint either a Commandant or a president, so the acting president appointed a senior cadet as acting Commandant. In 1966, this post was put under the Dean of Students (now Vice- President of Student Affairs). From 1908 to 1964, a president of the Corps was elected each year. This individual's primary responsibility was to serve as chairman of the Cadet Senate. The first constitution of the Corps was adopted in 1908. Both civilian and cadet units served under this single constitution until 1916 when a Unified Student Body was formed (now the Student Government Association).
For a chronological list of Corps units, under their original names, as well as lists of Commanders, Commandants, and Presidents of the Corps, see Historical Data Book 1872-1972.
Found in 25 Collections and/or Records:
John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse
John S. White VPI Coat and Cape
Joseph F. Ware Collection, 1900-1971 (Ms2010-022)
John A. Kircher Papers
This collection contains publications, photographs, postcards, programs, and other memorabilia from John A. Kircher's time at Virginia Tech under the Army Specialized Training Program in 1943-1944.
Maroon Corps of Cadet Sashes
Named/Individual Photograph Collections
The Named/Individual Photograph Collections include images from alumni and former faculty and staff, or individuals with ties to campus and the New River Valley. Collections (c.1890-present) depict campus life and events, railroad history, agricultural extension research, Blacksburg and surrounding areas, and some local families.
Herbert Reed Pollard Collection
This collection contains three items collected by Herbert Reed Pollard, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and related to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute Corps of Cadets, including a 1933 ROTC dinner program, a photograph of the 1934 officers of the Corps' Company E, and a photocopied newspaper clipping of the Corps marching in Norfolk, Virginia.
Rust-Colored Sabre
Rust-colored sabre with no ID markings. The sabre is mostly made of metal, handle is wooden.
Harry Downing Temple Jr., Papers
The Harry Downing Temple, Jr., Papers contains materials related to Temple's personal life, interest in heraldry and insignia, and his research and publications on the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Materials date from about 1872 to 2004.
Uniform Cape,
Item: uniform cape Desc: original VAMC cape Date: Nov. 5, 1914 Color: navy with red lining Material: wool cape and lining Manufacturer: Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute Donor: Condition: fair; moth holes in cape and lining; stains Special Markings: label: T.J. {Thomas Jefferson} Rowe ‘15 {Hampton, Elizabeth City}; measure: 53; J.H. Kelsey, Supt. Uniform Dept.