Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Alfred E. Knobler Founders Day Speech, Ms1981-102, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Alfred E. Knobler Founders Day Speech was donated to Special Collections in 1981.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement and description of the Alfred E. Knobler Founders Day Speech was completed in June 2009.

Biographical Note

Alfred E. Knobler was born March 4, 1915 in New York, New York. He graduated from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1938 with a degree in Ceramic Engineering. Knobler served as president of The Pilgrim Glass Corporation in of Ceredo, West Virginia; Alfred E. Knobler & Co., Inc., New York, New York; Knobler International Limited, London; Knobler Energy Associates, Inc., Barboursville, West Virginia. He was also the recipient of the Creative Achievement Award for Contemporary American Glass from the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Historical Note

Virginia Tech began celebrating Founders Day (March 24) during its centennial celebrations in 1972. The annual event included keynote speakers and honored faculty, staff, students, and alumni with awards. Considered the predecessor to the Cutchins Distinguished Lecture, the keynote was discontinued in 1996.

Source: "Founders Day Speakers," Virginia Tech History, https://history.unirel.vt.edu/founders_day/founders_day_speakers.html , accessed Dec. 5, 2022.

Scope and Content

The speech was given by Alfred Knobler for Founders Day on April 3, 1981. There is also a program containing a brief biographical note, as well as a schedule of events for the College of Engineering Visiting Alumnus. In the speech, Knobler speaks on environmental issues, including events in Love Canal, New York, and calls on everyone to do more to preserve the environment.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Students and alumni
• University History
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Alfred E. Knobler Founders Day Speech by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).