Sanders (1895-1985) earned his bachelor'sin general agriculture and went on to complete a master’s in vocational and technical education in 1927. He founded the Manassas Poultry Club in 1922, which evolved into the Tomorrow’s Farmers’ Club. The club eventually became known the Virginia Future Farmers of America Association and was the predecessor for the National FFA Organization.

Sanders had a long career at Virginia Tech, serving as a professor of agricultural education (1925-1951) and vocational education (1940-1963). His interests didn’t pertain only to the Virginia agriculture industry; in 1932 Sanders took a leave of absence from teaching in order to develop a vocational agricultural education program in Puerto Rico. In 1963, he became a professor emeritus of vocational education.

After Sanders’ death, Virginia Tech received an estate gift to establish a scholarship in the name of Sanders and his wife, Julia. Though initially designated for the vocational education program, the scholarship now provides valuable financial assistance to students in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. In addition, colleagues of Mr. Sanders established another scholarship in his honor, which also supports agricultural education students at Virginia Tech.

Harry Sanders