In memoriam: Glenn Valentine, former admissions and academic enrichment administrator
Glenn Valentine of Christiansburg, who was one of few Black students at Virginia Tech when he graduated in 1977 but helped diversify the university’s student body while working in admissions and academic enrichment, passed away on Oct. 3. He was 69.
Before arriving at Virginia Tech, Valentine attended a newly desegregated high school in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, where he thrived academically, was active in the school’s band, and served as class treasurer.
He enrolled at Virginia Tech in 1973 and became a leader in the university’s chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically African American fraternity, before graduating in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in public administration.
Shortly afterward, Valentine went to work for the university’s admissions department. Alongside another new alumnus, Calvin Jamison, he focused on recruiting Black students to a town Jamison said was nicknamed “Black-less-burg” by some at the time.
The pair traveled throughout the commonwealth and into nearby states as part of their work, sometimes using Jamison’s blue Volkswagen Super Beetle because of a rule that prohibited driving state vehicles out of Virginia. On their initial trip out of state, after a rainy night, the car failed to start right before their first meeting with a guidance counselor in Greensboro, North Carolina. They took a taxi to the appointment.
Efforts like that made a difference. From fall 1977 to fall 1987, the total number of Black students at the university more than quadrupled, increasing from 234 to 969, during a period when overall enrollment rose by 8 percent.
“When we first began organizing our recruitment strategies, we were brand new to this work,” Jamison said. “As former campus leaders we knew we both cared deeply about Virginia Tech and its potential. We also knew that Black students could benefit from being part of the campus, and the campus would benefit from having more diversity.”
Along with courting guidance counselors, Valentine and Jamison organized successful orientation weekend programs for prospective students. They encouraged Black students who later enrolled to host potential future students, helping to nurture a sense of community.
“Glenn was one of the most caring and compassionate colleagues that I’ve ever worked with,” said Jamison, who is now vice president for facilities and economic development at the University of Texas at Dallas. “With a lot of positive energy, we were always committed to helping create the best climate possible for students to be successful — we cared.”
Valentine lived in Christiansburg with his wife of 43 years, Bridgett, where they raised three daughters. He was heavily involved in Christian Growth Center, located in Christiansburg, where he sang praise and worship, led the sound and photography department, and eventually served alongside his wife as a music minister while also supporting his pastor with international ministries through International Convention of Faith Ministries. Valentine also was heavily involved with the ministries Gospel Experience, His Flock, and Restoration.
A celebration of Valentine’s life is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Christian Growth Center, 1850 Electric Way Northeast, Christiansburg. Additional details are available in his obituary.
