A different kind of Hokie history has emerged from yellowed yearbooks and student publications, one with floppy ears and a lasting campus presence.
A new exhibition, “Good Dogs: A Yearbook of Historical Dogs at Virginia Tech,” curated by University Libraries’ Scott Fralin and Kelsey Hammer, showcases the university’s most loyal and sometimes overlooked community members: its dogs. The exhibition, located on the second floor commons of Newman Library, includes 250 images of campus canines found in 126 historic student yearbooks and local history from the 1890s to the 2020s, revealing how deeply dogs have been woven into Hokie life.
University Libraries will host a public reception with special four-legged friends on Sept. 18 from 11 a.m.-noon near the exhibition.
“It’s easy to focus on students and buildings when we talk about history,” said Hammer. “But what about our furry best friends? This history reflects campus culture and the importance of pups in it.”
A legacy that spans generations
University Archivist Amelia Verkerk helped Fralin and Hammer sniff out Hokie history behind many favorite canine companions.
“My favorite part about helping Kelsey and Scott was delving deeper into archival materials that I hadn’t been able to on that level before,” said Verkerk. “For example, I use Bugles, the student yearbooks, all the time for reference questions about specific alumni, student organizations, or events, but I never realized right there in all of those photographs were so many dogs and how intrinsic they have been to the history and morale of Virginia Tech. Helping with this exhibit reminded me of all the not-so-hidden gems that make Virginia Tech special and who all had a hand, or paw, in making it special.”
The oldest yearbook image dates to 1895 and features the long-haired hunting dog owned by Virginia Tech President John McBryde’s family. McBryde served as president from 1891-1907. His family owned many dogs, and seven or eight of them were photographed during his tenure.
Over the years, dogs appeared in everything from posed portraits to campus snapshots. According to Hammer, the 1970s were the “doggiest” decade, with 1975 topping the list. She said almost a quarter of the entire exhibition collection comes from the 1970s.
Some dogs became familiar faces across multiple yearbooks. Others popped up parading among marching band members or sitting next to their Hokies at a pep rally.
“I am convinced every yearbook has a dog in it that I just haven’t found yet,” said Hammer. “I think in some way that comforts and excites me because it means the adventure of uncovering history continues. I appreciate that Special Collections and University Archives make the Virginia Tech yearbooks so easily accessible in person and online. This project would not have been possible without their help.”
The exhibition also pays tribute to the important roles present-day dogs play on campus. Virginia Tech therapy dogs provide much-needed comfort and stress relief during the academic year. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets’ beloved Labrador retriever, Growley III, serves as a symbol of tradition with folklore roots dating to the early 1900s.
Canine keepsakes and community stories
In addition to historic photos, the display features images of rare artifacts housed in Special Collections and University Archives, including a VPI dog doll from 1940, a Montgomery County dog license from 1922, and dog-themed cufflinks.
Visitors can engage with interactive displays that challenge them to spot hidden pups in group photos. Community members are also invited to contribute their own dog photos as a part of the evolving exhibit.
“I hope visitors come away from the exhibit with a renewed sense of curiosity,” said Fralin, “the realization that by looking at histories from new perspectives you might find a story you didn’t even know existed.”
Loyalty in every era
These club mascots, service animals, and beloved pets taught the Virginia Tech community about Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in ways only they could. This collection of photographs from across the ages is a joyful reminder that campus history lives not just in books but in pawprints, too.
“Learning campus history through dogs and dog history on campus is not the normal approach, but that’s what is so fun,” said Hammer. “I think history can feel distant sometimes, and it helps to find touchpoints for connection. I hope visitors feel that uniqueness and connection in the exhibit.”
