It is well known that every year during relay, luminarias spelling out “HOPE” are placed on the steps of Burruss Hall. This year, the luminaria ceremony at Virginia Tech’s Relay for Life was even more touching than usual, because of the dedication of each letter of “HOPE” to a Hokie who has fought or is currently fighting cancer.
The “H” was dedicated in memory of Cadet Signal Corporal Joshua Lee Lilliston, who passed away on October 30, 2011. The “O” was dedicated in memory of Megan Luck Goellner, a member of Chi Omega, who passed away on February 25, 2012. The “P” was dedicated in memory of Dennis Lee Hundley, who graduated from Tech at a ceremony in the Intensive Care Unit at Mary Washington Hospital, and then passed away two days later on December 17, 2011. The “E” was dedicated in honor of Dr. Edward Spencer, Virginia Tech?s Vice President of Student Affairs.