Henry Dekker to receive university's highest honor

By Sookhan Ho

Virginia Tech Spectrum, April 8, 1999

Henry J. Dekker needs no introduction on campus. The recipient of this year's Ruffner Medal, the university's highest honor for dedicated and distinguished service, has figured prominently in the leadership of a range of university institutions: the Board of Visitors, the Virginia Tech Foundation, the Campaign Steering Committee, the Pamplin Advisory Council, the Corps of Cadets Alumni and the German Club Alumni Foundation.

Dekker will receive his award at Founder's Day ceremonies from President Paul Torgersen. "Henry has given extraordinary service to Virginia Tech through a variety of advisory, volunteer, and action groups," Torgersen said. "Through his passionate commitment to our institution and his loyal and tireless support of its mission, Henry has demonstrated the very spirit and meaning of Ut Prosim."

Dekker, who grew up in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, began taking on leadership roles at Virginia Tech early. He was class president in each of his first three years and was elected president of the Corps in 1942-43. He was active in student government, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the German Club. After serving as an officer in the Pacific during World War II, Dekker returned to campus. Graduating in 1947, he went to work for the university. After a twoyear stint as university treasurer, Dekker launched a 36-year career in the textile industry, primarily in New York City, but with extensive Asian and European business activity.

He was founder and president of the North American operations of French couturier Louis Feraud. He retired as vice chairman in 1991, and returned to Blacksburg.

Dekker is perhaps the Corps' most ardent supporter among alumni. He is widely credited with leading the effort to revitalize the Corps in recent years, an endeavor that included a $10-million scholarship endowment and the successful creation of the Corps Center for Leader Development. He chairs the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Inc., a university-related corporation, and serves also on the Advisory Committee of the new university Center for Leadership Studies.

Dekker served on the Board of Visitors from 1989 to 1997. He served as chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for six years, and as vice rector for five years. He was rector during his final year on the board. He is a director of the Virginia Tech Foundation and its executive committee, and is a senior benefactor of the foundation. Dekker, who has made numerous gifts to the university, played multiple roles during the university's recent fund-raising campaign, which raised $337 million. He served on the Campaign Steering Committee and was chair of the Corps of Cadets Campaign. He chairs the Pamplin Advisory Council's Fundraising Committee. Pamplin College Dean Richard E. Sorensen has said that he is particularly indebted to Dekker, who not only contributed $100,000 in a deferred gift to create a scholarship, but also accompanied him and development director David Everett on various fundraising trips at his own expense, to help solicit contributions.

Dekker is an Ut Prosim senior benefactor, a member of the Legacy Society, and a Silver Hokie. He served as president and chair of the German Club Alumni Foundation and was a member of the Alumni Association Board. Outside Virginia Tech, he works to advance the cause of higher education through his membership in the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, a lobby group of prominent corporate leaders from around the state. Dekker received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1987 and the Pamplin College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1990.

The William H. Ruffner Medal was named for Virginia's first state superintendent of public instruction. As a member of the university's first Board of Visitors, Ruffner was instrumental in shaping the character and curriculum of the fledgling institution after conducting extensive reviews of Cornell University, MIT, and several prominent European universities.