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Letters to the EditorA proud tributeI read with interest the "Alumni of the Millennium" article in the winter edition of the Virginia Tech Magazine. It was of great interest to read about David Tucker "Towhead" Brown who went to Panama to work on the Inter-American Highway. As a proud daughter of John Vernon Senger '49, I would like to share with you his work experience on the Inter-American Highway. In 1964, he was assigned as the division engineer for the Inter-American Highway for Costa Rica. We resided there for eight years as my father worked diligently with the Costa Rican and American engineers and contractors to improve the road's construction. As part of this position, he had diplomatic status. His openness and friendly manner made him an asset for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Not bad for a country boy from Ore Bank (now Arvonia), Virginia! In 1972, he was assigned to Panama to become the regional engineer for the highway. His position there made him one of 12 persons in the world to hold such a position for the United States government. At that time he became responsible for the construction and oversight of the Inter-American Highway for all of Central and South America. He was responsible for opening up the Darien Gap so that the highway would then be connected from Alaska to the tip of South America. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1979 in Panama in service to his country. Forgive my proud bragging; however, as his daughter, I am proud of his accomplishments and truly feel that he also is an "Alumni of the Millennium." Carol Senger-Korynta '72 Hoo's a loyal reader?We really enjoyed the write-up on "Add" Caldwell [in the "Alumni of the Millennium" article]. It's especially fun for us to have a UVa friend (Roger Davis, "Add's" cousin) ask to borrow a copy of a Hokie publication. You all do a great job with the alumni magazine and that edition was spectacular! Jennie Stokes Howe '65 'nole Salutes Hokie fansMy former [Florida State University] college roommate and fraternity brother (from 1966) and I attended the Sugar Bowl to determine the national champs for 1999. Since his wife hates football, he and I have made a habit of attending the "big" one every year. That year VT lost the game, but in the process, your fans gained our deep admiration and respect. The Virginia Tech fans were, beyond doubt, some of the nicest people we had ever encountered. Prior to the game we had several conversations with the Virginia Tech fanson the street, while dining, or while touring the city. All of the conversations were very cordial. What is amazing, however, is the class displayed after the game. As happy as I was with the outcome, I still remembered the sting of the Tennessee game the year before. Remembering that game caused me to celebrate in a more quiet and somber manner. What I will always remember is the class shown by the Virginia Tech fans after the game. Never have I experienced so many fans of the opposing team congratulating me on a victory. This happened as we were leaving the stadium, on Bourbon Street, and anywhere a VT fan was encountered. Despite the bitter disappointment of losing the Sugar Bowl, the fans remained friendly and displayed more good sportsmanship than I had ever seen. Even more surprising was that this gesture was continued as we encountered fans throughout the day. It occurred to me that while one side won the game, the other side had modeled how to behave with class and dignity. I am sorry this letter has taken so long to write. All too often we engage in what we believe to be important, while ignoring things which truly are. So here is my salute to the fans of Virginia Tech. You have set yourselves up to be a model of how to act with class and dignitythings so sadly lacking in today's societyand in that sense you are all truly winners. With respect and admiration, |