“Cast in stone on a corner of Torgerson Hall is a sculpted relief of Cecil, not unlike the storied gargoyles that adorn some of our other gothic buildings. It is cast to withstand the rigors of time. So we can all take comfort in knowing that our beautiful campus will always be tended under Cecil Maxson’s watchful eye.”
– Charles Steger in 2001 about Cecil Maxson and his dedication to Virginia Tech
If you are on campus, walking behind Torgerson Hall, and look up, you will see a relief of a smiling face with “MAX” carved underneath. For those who do not know, we put together a blog post to explain a bit more about Max and all that he did for Virginia Tech.
Cecil R. “Max” Maxson Jr. (1931-2022) graduated from Virginia Tech in 1952 and devoted more than four decades to strengthening the university he deeply loved. His lifelong commitment was shaped early by his service in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War, and later by a distinguished civilian career in telecommunications, real estate, and banking.
Max served three terms on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, spending eight years on its Executive Committee and eight years as chair of the Building and Grounds Committee. During a period of significant growth, he helped guide the development of more than 100 major buildings across the university’s 2,600-acre campus. His leadership blended technical expertise with a heartfelt belief that Virginia Tech’s physical campus should reflect its mission, values, and aspirations. The campus that Hokies know today — its cohesion, its character, and its thoughtful planning — bears his imprint.
His influence stretched well beyond infrastructure. Max supported the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, led the William Preston Society, served on the Alumni Association Board, and participated in multiple honor societies. Together with his wife, Shirlee, he endowed scholarships in architecture, building construction, and veterinary medicine, ensuring that future Hokies would benefit from the opportunities he cherished.
Unfortunately, Max passed away in 2022; however, his legacy continues to shape the university. The relief stands as a permanent reminder of Max’s unwavering dedication to the campus he help to improve. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors may pass beneath it without knowing Max’s story, but its presence is a testament to the enduring care he gave to Virginia Tech.
References:
https://news.vt.edu/articles/2023/01/cm-maxson-memoriam.html
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/roanoke/name/cecil-maxson-obituary?id=38356675
https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/vtpubs/spectrum/2001/sp2001-0427.pdf
