Glenn Wilbert Valentine, one of first Black undergraduate alumni to be hired by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, passed away on October 3. He was 69 years old.
Valentine received his bachelor’s degree in public administration from Virginia Tech in 1977 as one of few Black students in his graduating class. He was soon hired by his alma mater as the assistant director of admissions, making him one of the first Black employees who were alumni of the university.
Valentine’s time in Virginia Tech’s admissions department had a significant effect on Black student enrollment. According to the university, Black student enrollment more than quadrupled during the first 10 years of Valentine’s career. He went on to hold several roles throughout his tenure, dedicating his work to recruiting new Black students and developing an inclusive campus for students of color.
