Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Mark A. Weber Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Alternate Form Available

This collection has been digitized and is available online .

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Mark A. Weber Papers, Ms2014-010, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Mark A. Weber Papers about on Lambda Horizon were donated to Special Collections in March 2014. Personal papers were added to the collection in August 2015.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Mark A. Weber Papers was completed in October 2014. The 2015 addition was processed in November 2017.

Admistrative History

Established in 1985 as Lambda Horizon, the LGBTA has undergone many transformations. The early goals of the organization included providing a place on campus for members of the university community to meet without judgement, to help education the campus community, and to create a positive image of people, regardless of orientation.

During the early 1990's the organization changed its name to LGBT and later to LGBTA. Most recently, they have changed their name to HokiePRIDE of Virginia Tech. In 1998, the organization became a University Chartered Student Organization and began the Safe Zone program. Safe Zone was a collaborative effort between the Dean of Student's office, the LGBTA, the LGBT Caucus, and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Today, the organization's main focus is programmatic, not political.

The current mission is to work to promote an environment of equality, understanding, and harmony for people of all sexual orientations, sexualities, gender identities and expressions by providing a LGBT Resource Center and campus-wide programs to raise awareness, community visibility, and increase support.

For more information on the current organization, see their website: http://www.hokiepride.org.vt.edu/

Biographical Note

Mark Weber was a student at Virginia Tech from 1983 to 1987, during which he served first as secretary and then as president of the gay student group, Lambda Horizon. Weber graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and went on to complete a Master of Business Administration in Marketing at The George Washington University School of Business. Following his education, Weber served as Director of the Office of Communications for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and later as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs/Human Services with the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Scope and Content

The Mark A. Weber Papers include minutes, correspondence, constitution, handouts, notes, and newspaper and magazine articles concerning the Virginia Tech gay and lesbian student organization, Lambda Horizon, from 1971-1991. The collection includes materials regarding the AIDS education committee, which was a primary focus of Lambda Horizon. The constitution of the Gay Alliance, a previous student organization, is included. The collection also includes papers from Weber's class projects related to the LGBTQ+ community, a photograph of Weber and his date who were the first same-sex couple to attend the Mid-Winter's Dance, and a video of Weber's Virginia Tech graduation party.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series, the first of which is arranged in four sub-series, based on content and type of materials. Materials within each series are in chronological order with undated items at the end of each folder.

Series I: Lambda Horizon Papers, 1971-1987, includes Weber's collected papers from his time as an officer in Lambda Horizon.

Sub-Series I: Administrative Files, 1971-1987, includes documents relating to the founding and continuing activities of Lambda Horizon. In addition the constitution and bylaws for the organizations, there are meeting minutes, funding requests, correspondence, and proposals to the university.

Sub-Series II: AIDS Education Committee Papers, 1984-1989, contains materials relating to the AIDS Education Committee, which was sponsored by and included members of Lambda Horizon. There are meeting minutes, hand outs, promotional flyers, and a scrapbook.

Sub-Series III: Events/Programs, 1984-1989, consists of papers from sponsored events, invitations to parties held by members, and publicity files.

Sub-Series IV: Articles and Clippings, 1985-1991, includes copies of magazine and newspaper articles relating to Lambda Horizon and gay and lesbian issues. In addition, there is a file on the resignation of Sandra Sullivan.

Series II: Personal Papers, 1986-1987, includes class projects from Weber's time at Virginia Tech that were related to the LGBTQ+ community, a photograph of Weber and his date from the Virginia Tech Mid-Winter's Dance, and a video from Weber's Virginia Tech graduation party.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Gay Alliance at Virginia Tech
• LGBTQ history
• Lambda Horizon (LGBTA of Virginia Tech)
• Sexual minorities
• University History
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)
• Weber, Mark A.