I am ever so grateful for the courage of Dr. Yates and his fellow classmates of color for helping to pave a path so that I may attend such a prestigious university as Virginia Tech. Tech's education and environment made me well-equipped for the world. Involved in everything from the Computer Science clubs, to Student Government, President of the Black Student Alliance, and associated and work on several committee with much of all of the top administrators of Virginia Tech...Marching on the steps of Burruss Hall and busting into the President's administrative office when they decided to do away with affirmative action
It is both an honor and privilege to be able to follow the footsteps of those,who in some cases gave their lives, to prove equality for all. Dr. Yates may not have thought he was doing anything grand by wanting to simply attend a great University and receive the same quality of education as everyone else, but to those students and alumni of color, it meant receiving a quality of education that some never dreamed that could ever afford or have; it meant becoming one the first in their family to attend a 4-year University; it meant, still in this day, fighting the odds that one day they'd be incarcerated or selling drug soon to be 6 feet under.
Big Up to you, Dr. Yates! Thanks....
May you rest in peace at your heavenly home.
-juskev
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