Former President Paul Torgersen was recently diagnosed with throat cancer and has begun treatment.
His daughter, Karen Torgersen, created the Facebook group "We Support Paul Torgersen" to show support for the former Virginia Tech president during the course of his treatment.
According to Karen, as posted on Facebook, Torgersen began treatment May 19 and had a chemo power pump installed that sent chemotherapy through his body for a week.
"The treatment is going to be very aggressive but his family is very optimistic." Karen said.
She also updates his status on the discussion board on his Facebook group.
Torgersen has three goals for August, which include dancing with his granddaughter at her wedding, attending all Virginia Tech football practices, and teaching his class.
"He has a passion for the university, athletics and teaching," Karen said.
Torgersen was the 14th President of Virginia Tech and served from 1993 to 2000. While Torgersen held office he guided Virginia Tech to numerous notable achievements, including the first time the university appointed a woman as senior vice president and provost as well as hiring a woman as dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.
Torgersen also created the position of vice president of multicultural affairs and filled it with the university's first black vice president.
During his presidency, Tech received a $2 million anonymous contribution to build a Center for Leadership Development for the Corps of Cadets, create a Women's Center and open two new schools: The School of the Arts and the School of Public and International Affairs.
He pushed for new technology and supported the development of the Math Emporium and construction of an Advanced Communication and Information Technology Center, which was later named after him.
He was the first president to use e-mail and the first to use a laptop computer for presentations to legislators. Torgersen supported the purchase of a broad-bandwidth high-frequency spectrum.
Virginia Tech created its first homepage during his tenure.
After his retirement, Torgersen was named President Emeritus by the Board of Visitors.
He holds the university's John W. Hancock Jr. Chair of Engineering and served for 20 years as dean of the College of Engineering, leading it to national distinction.
He has served as faculty in the school's administration for almost 40 years. Torgersen continues to teach on a part time basis.
Of his nine grandchildren, three have graduated from Tech and three are enrolling in the fall.
Karen would like to give him something to look forward to each day: the mail.
"He doesn't want sympathy, but we can show him our support," Karen said.
Letters may be sent to the following address:
Paul Torgersen
1503 Highland Circle
Blacksburg, VA 24060