A tribute to Charlie L. Yates to be held Nov. 5
A tribute to honor the late Charlie L. Yates, the first African American graduate of Virginia Tech who passed away Aug. 11, 2010, will be held Friday, Nov. 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. in War Memorial Chapel.
The tribute will begin with opening remarks from William Lewis, vice president for diversity and inclusion, followed by comments from Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger; Richard Benson, dean of the College of Engineering; and Lucinda Roy, Alumni Distinguished Professor. The service will conclude with a selection from the Virginia Tech Regimental Band.
The Office of the President, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, College of Engineering, Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Vice President for Development and University Relations, and the Black Faculty/Staff Caucus are coordinating the tribute.
Yates graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1958, and later served as associate professor of mechanical engineering from 1979 to 1983 and as associate professor of aerospace and ocean engineering from 1987 to 2000.
His contributions to the university include serving on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors and many devoted years to engaging fellow Virginia Tech students and alumni. In 2003, Peddrew-Yates residence hall was dedicated in his honor.
The tribute is open to the university community. For information, call the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at (540) 231-3811.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
Related Links
- In memoriam: Charlie L. Yates, Virginia Tech’s first African American graduate
- University Dedicates Residence Hall Named For Its African American Pioneers
- Short biography of Charlie Yates
- Charlie Yates in the news, archived news clipping from June 1958
- Transcript: An oral history interview with Dr. Charlie Yates
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