Our Professors

This record of our class would not be complete without recognition of those under whose guidance and teaching we acquired the background for our future careers. Without exception, they were men of high character and ability, and commanded the respect, and in most cases, the personal admiration of their students.

Practically all of our close contacts were with the professors of engineering, chemistry and related subjects, because in our senior year all of the class except six were engineering and chemistry students. For what is said here the writer has drawn on his memory of those professors he knew best, and may unintentionally omit mention of some whom other class members would have mentioned.

J. M. McBRYDE, President of V.P.I.
  During our time he taught no classes. It is for his ability and prestige as an outstanding educational administrator of his time, that he is best remembered.

L. S. (Glass Eye) RANDOLPH, Mechanical Engineering
  His knowledge of the practical application as well as the theory of his subject, added to his ability as a teacher. Also, he was well known among engineering industries.

S. R. (Sammy) PRITCHARD, Electrical Engineering
  In addition to his wide knowledge of his subject, he is well remembered for his attention to and patience with his students individually. He took an unusual interest in the careers of our class members after we left V.P.I.

W. M. (Colonel) PATTON, Civil Engineering
  He was a cadet at V.M.I. during the Civil War, and was sergeant in Company B of the battalion of cadets at the battle of New Market, May 15, 1864.

  At sometime before coming to V.P.I. he was professor of civil engineering at V.M.I. Also, he had attained considerable prominence as a professional engineer, particularly in connection with railroad bridge and other construction. He was chief engineer and designer of the first “wrought iron” river bridge on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad in Alabama. This bridge served for many decades and was only recently replaced by a steel structure. He was the author of two text books, “A Treatise On Civil Engineering” and “A Practical Treatise On Foundations”, both of which were used at V.P.I. and other colleges.

R. C. (Bobby) PRICE, General Chemistry
  The writer has always considered him the most interesting lecturer at V.P.I.

R. J. DAVIDSON, Applied Chemistry
  His students finished well grounded in their subjects.

C. E. (Charlie) VAWTER, Mathematics and Physics
  In addition to his knowledge of his subjects, he endeared himself to his students through his interest in athletics and sports.

J. R. (Polly) PARROTT, Director of The Shops
  He was at times a bit gruff, but if you would listen to him you would learn a lot.

W. H. (Bosco) RASCHE, Graphics
  He has been the best booster that ’02 class ever had. He took a deep interest, individually, in the members of our class before and after graduation, and we made special efforts to excel in his subjects. He was instrumental in sponsoring and having our class provide and erect at V.P.I. a bronze bust of the noted Scotch engineer, Rankine, (sometimes called the “father of engineering”), which was unveiled at our class reunion at V.P.I. in June, 1940, with appropriate ceremonies.

Claudius LEE, Electrical Engineering; Supt. of Power Plant
  We learned a lot about the practical application of electrical engineering principles from him in his capacity as superintendent of the electric light and power plant. So far as we know, Professor Lee is one of the only living professors of our time. He lives at Blacksburg and is today an honored retired member of V.P.I. faculty.

W D. SAUNDERS, Dairy Husbandry
  Few members of our class studied his subjects. He came more into prominence after we left V.P.I. He acquired some local renown through the development of a method of cheese processing, and in recent years was directly interested in a cheese factory in the Roanoke River Valley. If you want a cheddar cheese a bit different from the usual market variety, ask at the stores in Blacksburg for “Prof. Saunders’ Cheese”.

  Prof. Saunders is the other living member of the faculty of our time.

J. S. A. JOHNSON, Commandant of Cadets
  He was also Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, but is probably best remembered as Commandant, in which capacity he was a good disciplinarian. He succeeded “Buck” Finch, who was Commandant during our freshman and sophomore sessions.

T. P. (Shaunce) CAMPBELL, Modern Languages
  The writer had no classes under him but knew his well socially and respected him for his standing among the faculty.

R. H. (Dates) HUDNALL, History and English
  All of us had classes under “Dates” at one time or another. He was well versed in the subjects he taught, and his ambition was for perfection in his students.

J. M. (Jimmy) JOHNSON, Forge and Foundry
  He was one of the most popular instructors of our time at V.P.I.

G. W. Walker, Mathematics, English, Latin