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By Maj. Carrie Cox

Maj. Mark Sherkey

BLACKSBURG, Va., September 28, 2009 -- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Mark Sherkey, United States Army, who received a degree in finance from the Pamplin College of Business in 1995, has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the Virginia Tech versus Miami football game.

The corps Hokie Hero program, started in 2006 by ISP Sports 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 website, on the corps alumni website and in the Corps Review magazine.

Sherkey is currently stationed at Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq, and assigned to the Special Troops Battalion in the 25th Infantry Division, United States Army. He serves as an Operational Planner and Strategist for the Multi-National Division –North Headquarters, United States Army.

While in Iraq during his first combat deployment, Sherkey headed up Operation Provide Classroom Comfort that refurbished several schools for 1,600 Iraqi students. The project was also promoted by several stateside groups who sent school supplies to help improve educational opportunities for the students.

Upon returning home, Sherkey worked to partner with Virginia Tech which led to a collection of $25,000 worth of school supplies at the Boston College football game in the fall of 2005.

Sherkey is from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and this is his 2nd combat deployment. He is a member of the Class of 1995 of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and he served on the Regimental Staff during his senior year. Sherkey said he would like to send is love to his wife Krista.

Watch the related video: "Virginia Tech: Operation Provide Classroom Comfort" on the Virginia Tech YouTube channel.

Read about previous Hokie Heroes from the 2009-10 season.

• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Lt. Cmdr. Todd Mills, who received a degree in political science from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 1996.
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Christopher Horsfall, who received a degree in mathematics from the College of Science in 2006.
• Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus 1st Lt. Adam Keene, who received a degree in geography from the College of Natural Resources in 2006.

Contact Maj. Carrie Cox at cacox@vt.edu or (540) 231-1718.

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