Honest, Outgoing, Generous, Intelligent, and a Real Role Model. This is what comes to mind when I think about my wonderful neighbor of 4 years, Matt Gwaltney. Matt was a great student and a outstanding Athlete at our High school, and this is why my family and I admired him so much. Just by Matt's demeanor, you could tell he was a guy that was going somewhere in life. Matt was a few years older than my brother and I, but he never hesitated to hang out with the younger neighborhood kids. Whenever he would see us in our front yard shooting hoops, he would always come over and join, and teach us some new skills. Being a busy senior with practice, games, studying and college applications, he still managed to make time to gather the younger kids of the neighborhood for a long game of basketball. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that Matt was a great Mentor and Friend. This is a tragic loss for his family and our community. Matt will be deeply missed and never ever forgotten.

I met Matt almost 6 years ago, when we both showed up to move into Pritchard Hall. Matt was my freshman roommate at Virginia Tech. He was the kind of guy that could make you laugh and bring you up no matter how down you felt. I specifically remember when he used to rag on me when I was trying to find out how badly I could do and still pull off a C in my Freshman Calculus Class. He would laugh and say, "Dang Adam if you spent half as much time studying as you do just trying to figure out your grade you wouldn't need to figure out your grade" and for some reason I would feel a little better.

I knew five of those killed in Monday's shootings at Tech. In fact, of the first four names I heard of those killed, I knew three of them, including Professor Loganathan, Jarrett Lane, and Matt LaPorte. I also knew Matt Gwaltney and Dan O'Neil, both TA's in two of my engineering classes this semester and last. All of them were able to teach me something, especially the students, over the last few years of my life, so only giving tribute to one would not give justice to the impact they all had on my life. This is true of all the victims of Monday's tragic events... even though I only knew five of those killed, I recognized dozens more as I saw their pictures just from being in a class or seeing them around campus. Not having them all is a great loss to all of us and to the environment they helped create at Tech. I'm thankful for having known these few lost, and hopeful that their memory will continue to make Virginia Tech a great place to live, work, and learn.

I go to the same High School that Matt Gwaltney went to -- Thomas Dale. The biggest memory I have of him was he was the second basketball player of all time I got an autograph from. I just went up to him after a game and asked if I could have his autograph. Then again I was just 10 years old. He was 17, 18. When I was little I envied him just because he played basketball. Me and him were somewhat of friends. I'd play basketball with him at the YMCA from time to time. Those times were past but the memories will last!

I have known Matthew Gwaltney since I was 8 years old. In fact I still carry the scar behind my left ear from Matthew when we were playing as kids. We grew up on the same street, went to the same schools, his parents were always so nice. He was such a great guy and 19 years later he is gone by the hand of a psychotic killer. I know Matt is in a better place now, but it has shocked the old neighborhood. He was an only child and I can't imagine the loss his parents are suffering. Matt was a grad student in the engineering school just going about his normal day when someone took him away. Please continue to honor all that were lost

Matt was a great and caring individual. He taught one of my engineering fluids lab classes. Matt always took the time to teach us everything we needed to know he was a patient individual who was always willing to help his students, he worked very hard at whatever he was doing and even though I only knew him a year I knew he would be the best at whatever he did. Matt will truly be missed as a caring person and one of the best Virginia Tech had to offer. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Tau Beta Pi extends sincere condolences to the families and victims of the senseless tragedy wrought by one violent psychopath on 4/16/2007. We are all brothers and sisters in this nation's vast educational community and are all affected by this singular terrible event. We are especially saddened by the loss of Tau Beta Pi member Matthew G. Gwaltney, Virginia Beta 2005. We keep the Virginia Tech family in our prayers. Have no fear. Go Hokies!

He was a fellow graduate student in the civil and environmental engineering department. This photo [see above] was taken in the graduate student office in Patton hall where we worked with Matt. Matt was always in there, he worked very hard, he was very dedicated to his students, and a very talented engineer, and he loved Virginia Tech.

Matt Gwaltney was not only my TA, but my friend. He truly cared about everyone in his class. I always gave him a hard time. I remember one time when VT was playing Clemson in football. Clemson was ranked number 10 in the nation and VT wasn't even ranked. I was pessimistic about VT winning because of their great quarterback Will Proctor. Long story short, VT won and from that day on, Matt called me Proctor. Matt I hope you know how much I respected you and enjoyed being in your class. Proctor is really going to miss you.

I've known Matt Gwaltney since 2nd grade. I grew up with him and he was my neighbor for about 15 years. We did everything together. There was never a few days during that time that we didn't hang out. He had the best attitude and a very strong passion for what he did in life. He loved sports and he thrived for success. I'm a year older than Matt and after high school graduation I went to school and our contact faded, but we tried our best to stay in touch by email or Instant Messaging.

I remember years ago when we would play a pickup basketball game in his drive way, or get a bunch of guys to play football in his back yard, or when we would play homerun derby. Like I said, I grew up with him, and we've been through a lot.

I will never forget how hard he worked in life. My family and I extend our thoughts and prayers out to the Gwaltney family. We've known you guys for years and if you need anything, anything at all, please let us know. One thing I would like to add, is if there is a basketball court in heaven, Matt is up there playing right now.

Matt Gwaltney was my TA for "Measurements." He was very kind, and very quick to respond to my many emails asking for help. He would always joke in class with me and make fun of me for sending so many emails, saying, "You have any more questions, Alan?" I will miss him greatly.

I first met Matt in the fall of '01 my freshman year through my roommate whom went to the same high school as Matt. We have been close friends since. He had a great sense of humor, and always had a smile on his face. We always joked around and reminisced about past events. I looked up to him because of his strive for perfection. He was such a hard working individual and had such a bright future. Anything he wanted to accomplish he put 110 percent toward achieving his goal.

I remember all the fun nights we had playing basketball in War Memorial. If it was a Friday night then Matt could be found at War Memorial. And the days when I didn't want to come he would always somehow convince me to show up. It was always fun to be in his company. Matt was more than just a good person but a good friend. Matt will always live on in my heart and will truly be missed.

Matt was my Engineering class teacher/TA. I used to go to him almost every week for help with homework and assignments, besides learning engineering each week in our workshop class. He was a very nice guy, and always had a smile on his face. You would just smile and be happy in his company. He was helpful, intelligent and a great person. I just could not believe that we have lost him. We will always remember him in our prayers.

I have been friends with Matt and his family since I was 8 years old. I knew when I met Matt that he was going to be a friend for life. I am still finding it very hard to accept the fact that his smiling face will only remain in our memories together. He was simply one of the best guys you could ever meet. I know that he always made me strive to be my best and could always make me smile. He will be forever missed, but never forgotten. My family and I will continue to keep Matt and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Today and forevermore, I will remain a Hookie in rememberance of Matt Gwaltney.

Matt was my engineering workshop leader last semester. He was a great teacher but also a great guy. I went to his office hours at the end of last semester during finals week to get help. I stayed a lot longer than I needed simply because he was a good guy to just talk to and joke around with. He lightened the stress of finals just by a simple conversation and that unmistakable smile that never seemed to leave his face.

Throughout all of the years that I have been friends with Matt (since elementary school), I have been hard-pressed, albeit unsuccessful, to find a more genuine and kind human being. He possessed an ability to always find a way to achieve his goal regardless of what that might have been. He was always willing to help everyone around him and he refused to have a bad day. I could tell he was going to end up becoming one of those special people that would have an incredible impact on so many others, not because of anything flashy or because of attention drawn to himself, but because he would always do the right thing, the most work, the best he could possibly do in everything in his life. He made extraordinary effort seem very ordinary because he wouldn't accept any less of himself. I remember that since the seventh grade we had at least two or three classes together until we graduated high school. He was never at a loss of interest for sports or for laughing or for pointing out my lack of effort for that matter (in a funny, polite way). I think that was actually his favorite sport sometimes, but it always made me laugh. I was happy to oblige him plenty of material.

I felt sure he was going to be great. So sure, I would put it up there with my expectations of paying taxes every year, sunrise and sunset, or any number of other things that perpetually or inevitably happen. He could always get the job done and he never made anyone feel bad if they couldn't. He was always humble and polite, quietly graduating fourth in our class of over 400. I was always interested to see if everyone that met him would realize that he embodied what decency and integrity means. The hustle he played every baseball or basketball play with was the same hustle used in his studies just as it was the same, relentless effort he put into being a friend. I am sad that his life was tragically ended too soon and maybe more sad for the people that never had a chance to meet him. He was the quiet constant that is too easily overlooked because I always expected him to excel without asking for credit or celebration. His passing will not be so easily overlooked. He will always be an example to me and hopefully to others, most certainly a level of attention he would never ask for but recognition he rightly deserved. He will be missed.