Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus named Clemson game Hokie Hero
From left to right are Maj. Lisa Wnek, Air National Guard, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1999; Cdr. Bill Balding, U.S. Navy, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1989; and Lt. Col. Katy Garza-Bair, U.S. Army, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1985.
BLACKSBURG, Va., Oct. 22, 2012 – Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Cmdr. Bill Balding, U.S. Navy, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 1989 has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the Clemson game.
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Hokie Hero program started in 2006 by IMG College and sponsored by the University Bookstore, honors Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumni who are currently deployed. Recipients of this honor are highlighted by Bill Roth and Mike Burnop during the radio broadcast of Virginia Tech football games, on the Corps of Cadets website, on the Corps of Cadets alumni website, and in the Corps Review magazine.
Balding is the Future Plans Cell Chief at the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This is his second deployment as a reservist; his first was in 2005 as an Embedded Trainer with the Afghan National Army.
Balding is a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1989 and is an alumnus of Hotel Company, where he served as a platoon leader his senior year. He has enjoyed the Navy and served primarily on the west coast and in the far east. Currently he and his wife live in Hamilton, Va.
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has produced military, public, and corporate leaders since the university was founded in 1872. It is one of just two military corps within a large public university. The corps holds its members to the highest standards of loyalty, honor, integrity, and self-discipline. In return, cadets achieve high academic success and a long-lasting camaraderie with fellow members. Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.
Below are the previous Hokie Heroes from the 2012-13 season.
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Randy Coggin, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in economics from the College of Science, and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Developmentin 2009,
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumna Capt. Kim French, U.S. Air Force, who earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2005,
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Mark Angelo, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2010,
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Justin May, U.S. Air Force, who earned a degree in sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2010,
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. George Hogg, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in geography in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2010,
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Col. Frank Huber, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in electrical engineering in the College of Engineeringin 1985 and
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Capt. Andy Howell, U.S. Army, who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 2007
- MAJ Carrie Cox
- Executive Officer, Corps of Cadets
- 540-231-6413
- cacox@vt.edu
