Editor's note: A memorial service will be held at Joint Base San Antonio Randolph Air Force Base on Friday, Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. Those wishing to attend the service who do not possess a military I.D. will need to email Porter Loring Funeral Home at north@porterloring.com, referencing Jerrold Allen memorial service, with name, date of birth, and driver’s license number.

Maj. Gen. Jerrold P. Allen, U.S. Air Force (retired), who served as commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets from 1999-2011, died Dec. 13. He was 79 years old.

Memorial service information was not yet complete when this article was published. This story will be updated as information is available.

As the 34th commandant for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Allen led the corps through a significant period of enrollment growth. In addition, he markedly shaped the corps’ leadership program, establishing a leadership minor and four leadership courses that receive academic credit for cadets, all housed within the Maj. Gen. W. Thomas Rice Center for Leader Development.

A joint effort between the corps and the Pamplin College of Business, the Rice Center transforms aspiring undergraduates into inspiring leaders through a comprehensive program of academic coursework, real-world leadership experiences, ethics education, public lectures, and guest speakers.

“For more than a generation now, our graduates have demonstrated leadership skills that have led to successful careers in both military and civilian endeavors. This is a testament to Jerry’s vision and dedicated work,” said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of cadets. “Coupled with his ability to engage corps alumni and the broader community, he played a key role in elevating the reputation and impact of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. He will be profoundly missed.”

Allen's work resulted in greater recognition for the corps' leadership program, both within the organization and among the university community. During each his last seven years as commandant, a cadet was named the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year.

In addition to his work on leadership, Allen led the corps to many other achievements during his tenure. He fostered an environment focused on academic success, resulting in a corps GPA of 3.03 on a 4.0 scale for spring 2010. He also emphasized service, leading the corps to donate more than 9,700 hours of time serving the community in 2009-10, and garnering a Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for the organization in 2009.

He continually promoted an environment where Virginia Tech ROTC detachments grew to be recognized as some of the best in the nation in their respective services. As a result, during his tenure, Virginia Tech claimed the top graduate spot at Marine in a class of 700 in 2009 and ranked the highest in officer production for Air Force ROTC Senior Military Colleges in 2010. The Army ROTC unit was the top ROTC team in the national Army 10-miler in both 2008 and 2009. In 2001 and 2005, the top U.S. Navy midshipmen in the nation were from Virginia Tech.

Prior to joining Virginia Tech in 1999, Allen served as director of plans and policy at U.S. European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. He served as a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, commanded three flying wings, and flew 250 combat missions during his military career.

He was active in the leadership of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States and served as president of the organization in 2006 and 2007.

Allen’s military decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Air Medal with 13 oak clusters.

Allen retired from the Air Force in 1998, after serving 32 years. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering management from the Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in business administration from Golden Gate University.

The VTCC Maj. General Jerrold P. Allen Fund for Leadership Excellence was established in 2010 to provide support for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. For information, call 800-533-1144 or visit the Virginia Tech Advancement website.

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