Alumni and Friends of VMI:
Cyber Corps Numbers: 571
When Other Basketball Programs Come Looking For
Coaching Talent: Appears that Hokie High was nosing
around VMI for some coaching talent. Fortunate for the Keydets
Coach Bellairs didn't take the bait. Whew! Ricky Stokes of UVA
fame was subsequently selected to coach the Hokies
Wednesday, March 24, 1999
Weaver looking for Hussey's replacement
Tech AD has short list of coaches Jim Weaver has
five candidates in mind for Virginia Tech's vacant men's
basketball coaching position.
By RANDY KING
THE ROANOKE TIMES
The men's college basketball coaching carousel
continued to spin across the country Tuesday.
Who's going to land in the spot marked as
Virginia Tech appears to be anybody's guess.
Just 24 hours after Tech's dismissal of head
coach Bobby Hussey, a slew of possible candidates surfaced in
connection with the Hokies' job.
The names continuing to be mentioned most are
Delaware's Mike Brey, Appalachian State's Buzz Peterson, VMI's
Bart Bellairs, Duke assistant Quin Snyder and former Tech great
Allan Bristow.
Tech athletic director Jim Weaver said Monday
he has a short list of five candidates, whom he declined to
identify.
* * * * *
Bellairs, a vivacious personality whose
run-and-gun style has re-energized hoops at VMI, said Tuesday
he's "happy where I'm at," but is "thrilled'' his
name is being mentioned with the Tech vacancy.
* * * * *
The Hair Issue: In last week's update I mentioned that consideration was being given to allowing upper class co-eds to wear their hair at "service-style" length. Since that time I have learned that it was announced to the co-ed cadets that those in the upper classes will be going to service-style length in the fall. Seems that some alumni are not too happy with this.
Battle of New Market - Part II: Seems that
another New Market conflict has developed.
From The Washington Business Journal:
March 22, 1999
American history for sale
Museum owner cites dispute with VMI
Adam Fike Staff Reporter
John Bracken wants out of the war museum business.
He plans to pack up his collection of flags, maps, books and
bullets and leave behind the battlefield he has called home for
the last 11 years.
Bracken, 57, is selling his New Market Battlefield Military
Museum, a historic property off Interstate 81 in New Market, Va.,
about 95 miles west of Washington.
The sale offers a unique opportunity to buy a piece of American
history -- and take advantage of one of Virginia's biggest
attractions.
Nearly 10 percent of Virginia's 44.5 million annual tourists
visit sites related to the Civil War, according to the Virginia
Tourism Corp.
Bracken is asking $3.5 million for the 7.5-acre property, where
Union troops fell to the Confederate army in May 1864. The site
contains a museum that houses Bracken's personal collection of
artifacts from several wars.
But no amount of money will satisfy Bracken's emotional
investment.
"There's no price to put on collecting this stuff for all
these years and working seven days a week," he said.
So why is he selling?
Bracken cited increasing frustration in dealing with Virginia
Military Institute, which has its Hall of Valor museum and
memorial on a state-owned site about a mile from Bracken's
museum. The VMI museum commemorates the spot where several of its
cadets died while advancing on Union artillery.
But Bracken said the institute has been a "bad
neighbor," contending its museum is filled with
"plastic cannons" and "plastic dummies" that
lack authenticity.
Bracken said the institute exaggerates its role in the battle and
claimed it receives preferential treatment from the state's
tourism board.
VMI officials acknowledge a conflict, although neither side is
able to say just what the origin is.
John Roe Jr., business executive for VMI, said the institute's
conversations with Bracken last fall were cordial.
"He did not mention that he was selling because of
VMI," Roe said.
Virginia tourism officials deny they give preferential treatment
to the VMI memorial museum, saying the state's 1999 Guide to
Virginia's Civil War lists Bracken's museum as well as VMI's and
the nearby Museum of the American Cavalry.
"We try to be as comprehensive as we can possibly be in the
creation of that material," said Sue Bland, spokeswoman for
the Virginia Tourism Corp.
Last year, more than 30,000 people paid $5 each to walk among the
troop position markers Bracken has spread across his property and
his 130 display cases full of artifacts spanning from the French
and Indian to the Persian Gulf wars.
He began collecting as a child with souvenirs an uncle brought
him from D-Day. Each item tells a part of story of the nation's
warring past, he said.
His property features a two-story masonry and steel building
Bracken built after buying the site in 1987. With a marble foyer
and front portico, the building was designed to resemble the
Robert E. Lee mansion at Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to exhibit space, the 8,600-square-foot first floor
has a theater and small shopping area. The 4,800-square-foot
second floor has an office, apartment, conference room and
storage area.
Until last September, VMI had considered buying Bracken's
property. But Roe said talks broke down over the asking price.
Bracken and an appraiser estimate that the 13,500-square-foot
building would cost $100 a square foot to build today. That put
the value of the entire property at $3.5 million.
But VMI appraised the site and building at $1.5 million, Roe
said.
"We told Mr. Bracken that we have a problem there," he
said.
Bracken said he has not kept track of how much money he's put in
the property. Since the museum opened in 1988, he's spent winter
months reinvesting money and time in improvements, such as paving
the parking lot and adding a kitchen and a split rail fence.
Not expecting to leave the museum, Bracken never added up the
figures.
"It's an ongoing process, and I never kept track of
it," he said.
Bracken plans to take his collection with him after the sale,
unless the right buyer comes along. He has not put an exact value
on the items and would sell only to appreciating hands.
"The collection would be for sale if they knew what they
were buying," he said.
The property itself is in a state historic district, adding to
its attraction and value, said Lisa Burcham, spokeswoman for the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The unique and historic nature of the property requires that it
be marketed creatively, said R.J. Turner of Adam-Nelson and
Associates in Winchester, which is brokering the property.
"If it was something like self-storage or an apartment
building, we would have a list of people that buy that sort of
stuff," he said.
Turner is alerting history-related groups such as the National
Historic Trust and state tourism groups. The property has been on
the market for six weeks.
Bracken said the best use would be a museum. But removing the
display cases would make it a perfect restaurant, with a view of
the surrounding mountains.
Assimilation Duties: The duties of overseeing VMI's assimilation efforts have been turned over to the Commandant's Office. If you remember, the assimilation program had been overseen by Col Mike Bissell, a former VMI Commandant.
Speaking of the Commandant's Office: If my math is right, it appears that the Commandant's office now has a staff of 8 folks.
VMI Football: Seems to be a great deal of new
enthusiasm in the football program.
Roanoke Times:
Sunday, March 21, 1999
Red team dominates VMI game
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Teray Frost scored three touchdowns Saturday to
lead the Red team to a 41-0 victory in VMI's spring football game
in Lexington.
Frost, converted from wide receiver to
halfback in new head coach Cal McCombs' flexbone offense, scored
on runs of 1, 50 and 20 yards.
The Red team rolled up 403 yards rushing.
Frost had 123 yards on 15 carries and halfback Derrick Funches
added 90 yards on eight carries.
"It looked like the guys were having fun
out there," McCombs said. "There was plenty of
enthusiasm, and that's what we've been striving for this
spring."
The Keydets conclude spring drills this week
and open the 1999 season Sept. 4 at Richmond.
VMI posted a pair of victories in Lexington, beating
East Tennessee State 7-6 and downing Indiana University/Purdue
University at Indianapolis 14-3.
John Yates had the game-winning hit in the
bottom of the seventh inning in the first game.
The Keydets (11-9) had four runs in the first
and third innings of the second game to win easily. Scott
Thompson, Michael Goldman and Rob Riley slugged home runs for
VMI.
Track and field: Phil
Weismiller set a VMI school record by heaving the javelin 187
feet, 7 inches at the Weems Baskin Sprint Relays in Columbia,
S.C.
"Ghost Cadet": Don't know how many
folks have read The Ghost Cadet, but it's a very good book. I
think it's a good book for 4th, 5th or 6th grade classes. Here's
a thought. How about getting your local alumni chapter to buy and
donate the books to a local school. After the class has read the
book, arrange for a VMI cadet to appear before the class in
uniform and discuss New Market and the VMI tradition associated
with it. Now that's a marketing idea!
Historically accurate novel is set in New Market
The spirit of 'Ghost Cadet' inspires young writers
Award-winning author Elaine Alphin shared stories with fourth-
and fifth-graders in Salem.
Friday, March 26, 1999
By BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
THE ROANOKE TIMES
The first story Elaine Alphin ever wrote was
about a cat with three tails. She was 3.
Forty-one years later, Alphin is an
award-winning author whose works range from children's mystery
novels to a book on toasters.
Alphin was in Salem on Thursday to share
stories and writing tips with fourth- and fifth-graders at East
Salem and West Salem elementary schools. The schools' PTAs had
arranged for the Indiana writer's visit.
Her novel "Ghost Cadet," which Salem
fifth-graders study in class, also is a popular title at the
school libraries. The West Salem library's copies are well worn.
The book, set in New Market, is the story of a
present-day boy's efforts to help the spirit of a Virginia
Military Institute cadet. The cadet was killed during the Civil
War battle in the northern Shenandoah Valley town.
The ghost can't rest until he finds a
cherished family heirloom -- a gold pocket watch -- that he hid
somewhere on the battlefield for safekeeping before he died.
The book's historic context also fits into the
fourth-grade Virginia history component of the state Standards of
Learning.
History is a passion for Alphin. "History
is not just names and dates," she said. "History is
real people."
While researching the book, Alphin walked the
New Market battlefield and pored over documents in the VMI
archives. She decided to make an actual cadet, William Hugh
McDowell, her ghost.
The watch was her husband's idea, but,
ironically, Alphin found a letter from McDowell's father that
mentioned a missing gold watch. "That sent some chills up my
back," she said.
In "Ghost Cadet," the search for the
watch is complicated by other factors.
And that's part of good storytelling, Alphin
told the students. "You start out with a basic problem ...
and you introduce obstacles that increase the tension."
After completing a manuscript, Alphin puts it
aside for a while. It's too easy to get caught up in the elation
of completion and fall into a false sense of perfection, she
said.
After some time away from the book, she can
see weaknesses in characters or scenes that need reworking. After
her editor reads the book, there usually are several more rounds
of revision.
For one book, she rewrote a chapter 10 times.
"I was disgusted," Alphin said.
"It's torture," she said of
revision, but "it's so important."
East Salem fourth-grader Ashley Altice said it
meant a lot to hear an experienced writer emphasize revision.
"She knows how it feels," Ashley said.
Alphin -- whose parents wanted her to be a
doctor and write on the side -- encouraged the students to follow
her lead.
"Do not let any adult tell you to settle
down and get a real job and put off your dream," she said.
Like a good plot, there will be obstacles
along the way. For Alphin, a big hurdle was finding a publisher
for the first time.
"Ghost Cadet" was rejected 25 times
.
The book was published in 1991 and is in its
10th or 11th hardcover printing and 13th or 14th paperback
printing, she said. The book has won writing awards in 14 states,
including Virginia.
Since "Ghost Cadet," Alphin has
published seven other books and has four more under contract.
"Follow your dream with all your
heart," she told the students. "You'll certainly have a
wonderful journey getting there."
Resume of the Week: I've attached a resume
from Scott Ronayne '99. Scott is interested in the financial
services area and he is from the Philadelphia area. I had lunch
with Scott a few years back and he's a good guy. If you're
interested take a look at the attached.
Looking for IT Help: Of course, who isn't these
days? The following is from Tracy Wilson '80. As he indicates,
his organization is looking for IT talent. He provides job
descriptions which are pretty long. That's why I placed all this
at the end of this week's update.
My office has gotten so desparate for IT personnel that they've
begun offering cash incentives for referrals. Enclosed are the
latest open positions (updated every week). If you know of anyone
that could fill the bill in any of these areas, have them contact
me (with their resume) and I'll split the loot with you if
they're hired (and retained for 3-6 months minimum). Feel free to
network among your contacts as well. All positions are located at
our Georgetown (Washington, D.C.) facilities and feature the
usual excellent pay and benefits.
Best regards,
Tracy Wilson, '80
National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council
202.334.1671
twilson@nas.edu
http://www.nas.edu
=============================
Manager (Y2K Project Manager/Manager of Project Audit)
Responsible for ensuring that all tasks related to applications
testing for Y2K compliance are met and that written compliance
certificates or related documentation is completed. Incumbent
will also be responsible for managing multiple projects,
including meeting the demands of scheduling and testing on
enterprise-wide, mission-critical applications with a specified
period of time; reporting status, problems, and progress to the
overall Y2K Manager and the Management Team; and the continual
monitoring of industry news and issues related to Y2K and raising
those issues with management as appropriate. Must have awareness
of and ability to independently use Y2K tools and methodologies;
an understanding of the application development process as it
relates to potential problem detection and analysis in standard
desktop applications and specialized custom applications; Y2K
certification experience and knowledge of reporting channels from
both a legal and institutional perspective; and detailed
knowledge and experience Unix and Oracle.
Analyst
Responsible for using Y2K test methods and tools to
analyze and diagnose all Y2K issues in both custom applications
and standard desktop applications. Requires ability to run test
scripts and document results; analytical skills to detect ?red
flags? during testing and make recommendations or provide
solutions to resolve the issues; understanding of applications
and PC desktops (including Microsoft and Lotus desktop products
and development tools, drivers, DLLs, and other custom components
of applications created in-house; and the ability to troubleshoot
testing hardware and software to ensure the uninterrupted
operation of the test lab.
Manager
Experience related to project management in a technical
environment. The Manager of Project Quality Assurance will be
responsible for determining, developing, and implementing best
business practices to assure highest quality products delivered
to our internal user-base. Must have detailed knowledge and
experience with: project life-cycle management, developing
forecasts indicating staffing requirements including recurring
and peak needs; developing and implementing staffing and
scheduling models; standard software development and database
management tools; configuration management; QA process design;
project management methodology design; procurement and proposal
methodologies. In addition, the incumbent will develop,
implement, and maintain a monitoring program to include: scoring,
counseling, training needs, process and procedure
recommendations, trending and reporting, and an audit process
Senior Technician (PC Repair Technician)
Experience with IBM PCs and compatibles (486, Pentium),
Notebooks, HP printers (HPLJII and above), and Cannon Fax
machines. Knowledge of Networked environments required;
familiarity with Macintosh desired. Requires demonstrated ability
to install hardware and software; perform inventory for charged
back systems; manage in-house configuration, problem diagnosis
and repair of PCs, peripherals, and additional information
systems devices; identify and replace faulty components; install
and configure systems and peripherals; arrange for warranty
repair; document procedures; perform part-time PC support
helpdesk services; train new users in the use of technology; and
participate on technology teams.
Analyst (Network Engineer)
Experience related to TCP/IP, IPX network, Internet
tools, DNS, and Internet mail routing; knowledge of Mac and IBM
compatible computer systems and demonstrated experience in
evaluation and selection of computer related products. Requires a
demonstrated ability to design, install, and maintain the network
operations system; provide high level technical support; test,
evaluate, and select new technologies; develop procedures for
guidelines for configuring and implementing new technologies into
current production environment; diagnose and resolve computer
network and workstation problems; coordinate evaluations and
demonstrations of new technologies; market surveillance to keep
track of IT developments; and perform other duties as assigned.
Senior Analyst (Sr. Lotus Notes Analyst)
Qualifications: B.A./B.S. or equivalent, preferably in
computer, or information science; and at lease two years relevant
experience. Requires demonstrated ability to perform quality
assurance of notes application design; handle test-to-production
process; serve as liaison between ITS Operations Group, Web
Maintenance Office (WMO), Internet Service Center (ISC), and
Applications Development Group to provide expertise on Notes
Development and Operations Issues; act as resource for
development requirements and issues; provide assistance to Notes
Administrators; provide oversight for electronic mail
administration process; conduct technical analysis of the system
for capacity and trend utilization; conduct market surveillance
to keep track of Lotus Notes and other IT market developments
with respect to the technologies of interest to the NRC and ITS;
test, evaluate, select, and demonstrate new collaboration
technologies; develop procedures an guidelines for configuring,
installing and implementing new technologies into current
production environment; and other tasks as assigned.
Senior Analyst (Database Administrator)
Qualifications: B.A./B.S. or equivalent, preferably
related to computer science, engineering, or mathematics; and at
least six to seven years of experience with one or more front-end
development tools (i.e., VB, C/C++, 4GLs, GUIs, etc.). Experience
with PeopleSoft database applications desired. Requires
demonstrated ability to design physical and logical databases;
analyze and convert Oracle data objects; normalize and
denormalize data structures; tune databases for optimal
performance and manage storage space; administer database
security and backup; and support back- and front-end software.
Requires demonstrated knowledge of Oracle, Informix, and other
RDBMS; N tier Client/Server systems; production and development
environments; and HP Unix.
Analyst/Sr. Analyst (Sr. PC Support Analyst)
General programming experience and solid knowledge of
various PC platforms (DOS, Windows, OS/2) and related tools.
Experience of client/server technology in a UNIX environment
desired. Requires experience in at least one of the following
areas: Business Operations (Business process reengineering);
Information Management (virtual libraries, web homepages); Lotus
Notes Development (Internotes, workflow applications, Notes to
RDBMS applications); Lotus Notes Administration (TCP/IP, Internet
mail [SMTP], HTML, Notes server experience); Systems Management
(Structured analysis design, functional requirements definition,
JAD facilitations, logical database design, CASE tools). Requires
demonstrated ability to analyze, design, develop, implement,
maintain, and document complex systems and database applications;
identify, evaluate, and install strategic automation systems;
assist with identification, evaluation, and testing of new
technology; determine amount of support and training required to
integrate new products/services; assist in the selection and
supervision of consultants and technical staff; identify and
prioritize areas for potential automation; coordinate technology
with institutional standards; develop technical strategic plans;
maintain unit technology budget; act as team leader for group of
PC Analysts; and prepare various analysis reports.
Analyst
Demonstrated ability to provide technical task
leadership and project management; schedule assigned tasks in
project tracking tool; monitor progress of tasks and adhere to
schedules and quality standards; maintain good working
relationship with department staff and end-users; perform
requirements gathering analysis; develop programming
specifications for new systems; develop and implement
Client/Server based systems using Visual Basic, PowerBuilder,
Oracle, and other front-end and back-end development tools;
document all aspects of application development; maintain
existing client/server based operations;
Analyst/Sr. Analyst
Experience with Windows NT, relational databases
(Oracle, Informix, Progress), programming and Internet
development tools, VisualBasic, HTML, ActiveX, Lotus Notes,
Domino, desktop operating systems, presentation and graphics
software, project management software (MS Project), and
collaborative computing.
Senior Analyst
(Oracle 7.x Database Administrator) Familiarity with
Lotus Notes, Progress, Informix, PeopleSoft, Internet development
tools, CASE tool (S-Designer), testing tools; UNIX, DBA, Client
Server, C/C++, 4GL, TCP/IP.
Analyst
(Web Applications Developer) Familiarity with MS SQL
Server 6.x, 7x; MS IIS 4.0; Netscape Enterprise Server; MS
InterDev; ASP; HTML; DHTML; Domino; Java; FrontPage, Cold Fusion.
Librarian (Systems Librarian)
M.A./M.S. or equivalent, preferably in library science
or information science, with some coursework in computer science,
and experience related to management of library systems (CD-ROM
network, library catalog, library public computer workstations),
Internet, information systems and information-seeking behavior,
search engines and strategies.
Manager (Internet Services Center)
M.A./M.S. or equivalent, preferably in computer or
information sciences, concentrating in the Internet technologies;
and at least six to seven years of experience with planning,
coordinating, and executing multi-disciplinary projects. Requires
in depth knowledge of the Internet and Internet development
tools, search engines and strategies, demonstrated ability to
provide leadership and work as part of multi-disciplinary team;
create and maintain an Internet Services Center business plan and
all associated activities; provide task and project management
for Internet projects using Lotus Notes/Domino and complementary
technologies; establish and manage an Internet help desk and
training programs. Experience with Lotus Notes and Access or
Oracle required.
Hey, that's it for this week.
Yours in the Spirit,
RB Lane '75
Last Updated: October 11, 2009
Site Created by: Richard L. Neff II, '90 - Network Technologies Group