Irving Linwood Peddrew III, 80, of Hampton is the ninth person to receive an honorary degree from Virginia Tech. Below, Mr. Peddrew in his Virginia Tech cadet uniform as a student in the 1950s.
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First African-American student to attend Va. Tech finally gets degree
More than 60 years after Irving Linwood Peddrew III of Hampton broke the color barrier to become the first African-American student to attend Virginia Tech in rural Blacksburg, he finally received his degree. Mr. Peddrew, now 80, was awarded an honorary bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering during the university’s commencement Friday, May 13, at Lane Stadium.
