Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Maj. Kurt Rathgeb, U.S. Air Force who earned a degree in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development in 1998 has been selected as the Hokie Hero for the football game versus the University of Miami.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Hokie Hero program started in 2006 by IMG College, honors Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumni who are currently deployed. Recipients of this honor are highlighted by Bill Roth and Mike Burnop during the radio broadcast of Virginia Tech football games, on the Corps of Cadets website and in the Corps Review magazine.

Rathgeb is currently stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as a member of Air Force Central Command's 609th Combined Air Operations Center, Combat Operations Division where he is serving as a Senior Air Defense Officer.

He is from Willingboro, New Jersey, and this is his fifth deployment. Rathgeb is a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1997 and served as the Alpha Company Executive Officer his senior year. He also served as the Air Force ROTC Cadet Group Commander that year.

Rathgeb sends his love and appreciation to his wife Lori, who is currently parenting their three children solo in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as well as to his family and friends, and to all Hokies serving around the world, especially Alpha Company alumni.

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