weightless as I close my eyes
I don't even know where to begin. From the minute I first saw you on my television, looking poised and graceful in your black suit and pearls, I knew you were more than just another administrative face. You delivered your speech with such passion, such strength, and you continued to carry those traits through the media storm and frenzy, coming through unscathed.
Orientation, July 2007. Yours was the first voice I heard, welcoming me to the Class of 2011, informing me that I should be proud to be here, as our SATs and GPAs were the highest average ever of an incoming class at Virginia Tech. You told us about tradition, about academia, and about Hokie football. Again, you were poised and graceful, this time wearing your trademark brightly-colored suit.
The April 16th memorial dedication, August 2007. It was hot, it was sad. Your speech was the first and, as usual, the most striking and insightful. Your love for the victims' families and friends was always evident, and even more so as you spoke in front of them for the first time in four months. We'd prevailed by this point, but you helped us to remember where we'd come from, and to where we were headed.
Sometimes I'd see you around campus; I remember the first time this happened, and I was struck by how small you really were. But I also remember you smiling at the students while checking your Blackberry, a white headphone cord hanging around your neck, connected to your iPod; you were really just like us. You wore the big sunglasses, the stiletto heels. You were more than our Vice President, you were our friend. And you never let us forget that.
You were in charge of just about everything: they didn't call you VP of Student Affairs for nothing. From dining and housing to student government and even the Corps, your influence permeated every inch of this campus, and even some of the students. Although I never met you, I remember your speeches, I remember your suits, and I remember your stature in times of tragedy and in times of triumph.
There's nothing else I can say but thank you. Thank you, Dr. Hikes, for making Virginia Tech the place it is today. Thank you for standing strong in the face of the naysayers after the 16th, and thank you for working so diligently to restore our image and to encourage our community. If I were to model myself after the person I considered most influential to my college career, I would only hope to be half the woman you were.
Rest in peace, Dr. Hikes. We'll miss you; I'll miss you. Thank you, truly, for everything ♥
there's no one in town I know
you gave us someplace to go
I never said "thank you" for that
I thought I might have one more chance
so what would you think of me now
so lucky, so strong, so proud
I never said "thank you" for that
now I'll never have the chance
may angels lead you in
hear you me, my friend
on sleepless roads the sleepless go
may angels lead you in
Orientation, July 2007. Yours was the first voice I heard, welcoming me to the Class of 2011, informing me that I should be proud to be here, as our SATs and GPAs were the highest average ever of an incoming class at Virginia Tech. You told us about tradition, about academia, and about Hokie football. Again, you were poised and graceful, this time wearing your trademark brightly-colored suit.
The April 16th memorial dedication, August 2007. It was hot, it was sad. Your speech was the first and, as usual, the most striking and insightful. Your love for the victims' families and friends was always evident, and even more so as you spoke in front of them for the first time in four months. We'd prevailed by this point, but you helped us to remember where we'd come from, and to where we were headed.
Sometimes I'd see you around campus; I remember the first time this happened, and I was struck by how small you really were. But I also remember you smiling at the students while checking your Blackberry, a white headphone cord hanging around your neck, connected to your iPod; you were really just like us. You wore the big sunglasses, the stiletto heels. You were more than our Vice President, you were our friend. And you never let us forget that.
You were in charge of just about everything: they didn't call you VP of Student Affairs for nothing. From dining and housing to student government and even the Corps, your influence permeated every inch of this campus, and even some of the students. Although I never met you, I remember your speeches, I remember your suits, and I remember your stature in times of tragedy and in times of triumph.
There's nothing else I can say but thank you. Thank you, Dr. Hikes, for making Virginia Tech the place it is today. Thank you for standing strong in the face of the naysayers after the 16th, and thank you for working so diligently to restore our image and to encourage our community. If I were to model myself after the person I considered most influential to my college career, I would only hope to be half the woman you were.
Rest in peace, Dr. Hikes. We'll miss you; I'll miss you. Thank you, truly, for everything ♥
there's no one in town I know
you gave us someplace to go
I never said "thank you" for that
I thought I might have one more chance
so what would you think of me now
so lucky, so strong, so proud
I never said "thank you" for that
now I'll never have the chance
may angels lead you in
hear you me, my friend
on sleepless roads the sleepless go
may angels lead you in