Virginia Tech has its share of history, but this week, history came to campus.

The oldest living graduate is back - his first time on campus in more than 50 years.

At 103, Cecil Balderson can proudly say he's been a Hokie longer than anyone.

"We are going to naturally say we're the best," Balderson said.

The Virginia Tech of today is very different than the one he got to know.

"It's probably much easier to learn today than it was in those days," Balderson said.

Balderson went to school here from 1932 to 1934 when it was called VPI, students were required to be part of the corps of cadets, and enrollment was barely over 18 hundred.

He'll never forget one of his professors who was disfigured after returning from World War One.

"He was injured to being shot through the nose. I think he was a flyer," Balderson said.

All his professors were thorough - making sure all students understood the subject. He's one true Hokie football fan, even when there weren't too many wins on the board.

"We didn't have a very good football team in those days," Balderson said.

He was a guest of honor Friday afternoon as the Corp of Cadets marched by during the annual Pass in Review, no doubt bringing back memories.

Samantha Riggin, the cadets museum curator, made a cold call to Balderson for a interview project and was surprised when he answered.

"To hear his stories, to get his perspective of what it was like, the fact that he walked the same halls as President Burruss and breathed the same air, it's just sort of magical," Riggin said.

Balderson never graduated from Virginia Tech. He left in 1934 to take care of his family during the depression.