Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets’ class of 2018 will celebrate the end of their cadet careers at the annual Change of Command Parade.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will conduct a pass in review at 10 a.m. April 28 on the Drillfield to honor the class of 2018 and to usher in the class of 2019 as the new cadet commanders of the regiment.

The current regimental commander is Cadet Brian Kehs, a senior from Haddon Township, New Jersey, who is majoring in microbiology with a minor in leadership studies from the corps’ Rice Center for Leader Development.

He is a member of Army ROTC and Order of the Gavel, a Highty-Tighty, and an Aspirations Fellow. He is a recipient of an Army four-year scholarship and a corps Emerging Leader Scholarship.

Kehs will pass command to Cadet John Holland, a junior from McLean, Virginia, who is majoring in finance and management with a minor in leadership studies.

He is a member of the corps’ Citizen-Leader Track, as well as the Student Alumni Associates, Omicron Delta Kappa, a cadet member at large for the class of 2019, an Aspirations Fellow, a Hokie Ambassador, and an orientation leader. He is a recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship and the Wells Fargo Leadership Development Scholarship.

“It’s very humbling to have the privilege to work alongside and lead some of the nation’s very best men and women,” Holland said of his corps experience. “I don’t believe we are creating the leaders of tomorrow. I believe we are creating the leaders we need right now, and I can’t wait to see the problems they will solve, lives they will touch, and incredible impacts they will make around the world.”

At the pass in review, the corps will welcome President Tim Sands, who will address the cadets during the parade, and other special guests. In addition, the Highty-Tighties will play, and Skipper, the corps cannon, will be fired three times: when the cadets reach the Drillfield, at the first note of the national anthem, and the first note of “Tech Triumph.”  

The event is open to the public.

Free parking is available around the Drillfield and no visitor’s pass is necessary on weekends. Parking is also available in the Perry Street Lots and the Perry Street Parking Garage near Prices Fork Road. Find more parking information online.

Written by Natalie Rosas, a senior from Leesburg, Virginia, majoring in meteorology.

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