April 16, 2017
Spring 2017
On the cover: Ten years later, Hokies around the world paused to reflect on the tragic events of April 16, 2007. Photo by Logan Wallace.
President's Message
President's Message
Alumni Commentary
Alumni Commentary
Class Notes
Class Notes
How Tech Ticks
90,000-plus condolence items from around the world
How Tech Ticks
90,000-plus condolence items from around the world
How Tech Ticks
90,000-plus condolence items from around the world
How Tech Ticks
90,000-plus condolence items
Aspiring to a collection that would be embraced by the university community, families of the victims, and researchers, Virginia Tech Special Collections was assisted by a Library of Congress advisory group to catalog and archive items received in the wake of the April 16, 2007, tragedy on campus.
Around the Drillfield
Large-scale success
Three departments within the College of Science — Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences — received 2016 Exemplary Department Awards, which recognized "effective large-class instruction."
Corps of Cadets
Canine ambassador
Growley II (call sign "Tank") has become a symbol of selfless service for the corps' more than 1,000 cadets — and a new way to share experiences with the larger campus community.
What's In It?
Get buggy with it
Paul Marek, an assistant professor of entomology whose lab studies the evolution of coloration and taxonomy, unfurls the structure and purpose of the emerald swallowtail's captivating colors.
Alumni profiles and news
Making Tech proud
A third-generation Hokie fufills a legacy; an alumna author shares tidbits about 18th-century pirates learned while she was writing a book; a ridge on Mars has been named for an alumnus; and more.
Alumni travel
Seals and whales and Hokies, oh, my!
A dozen "Traveling Hokies" are hard-pressed to pick a favorite memory of Antarctica following their February expedition cruise offered through the Alumni Association.
Infographic
Value-added activities
Promoting some 840 registered student organizations, the Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life strives to help students make connections and get involved.
Beyond Boundaries
Advancing higher education
As chair of the Beyond Boundaries Advisory Group, Rosemary Blieszner, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Human Development, is "proud of the progress and the long-term vision that the university [is setting] for its next generation."
Still Life
Still Life
On an alternative spring break trip coordinated through VT Engage, a student-led group partnered with Hurley Community Development Inc., a nonprofit organization working to revitalize Hurley, Virginia, to provide services to low-income families in the area.
Retro
by Kim Bassler '12, University Libraries communications coordinator. Images courtesy of libraries' Special Collections; more can be found at imagebase.lib.vt.edu.
20 years ago,
20 years ago,
20 years ago,
Virginia Tech celebrated its 125th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the university commissioned an aerial photograph of students, faculty, and staff forming the numeral 125 on the Drillfield.
20 years ago,
20 years ago,
20 years ago,
Adrian "Ace" Custis (marketing management '97) became the third Virginia Tech men's basketball player to have his jersey retired.
Adrian "Ace" Custis '97
22 years ago,
22 years ago,
22 years ago,
Beverly Sgro, who holds master's and Ph.D. degrees from Virginia Tech, delivered the spring commencement address. Sgro was the first female dean of students at Virginia Tech, a position she held until she was tapped to serve as the secretary of education for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Sgro later served as a member of the university's Board of Visitors.
Beverly Sgro (front, left) with the 2002-03 Board of Visitors.
140 years ago,
140 years ago,
140 years ago,
the First Academic and Second Academic buildings — which housed the university's library, a mess hall, a printing plant, and administrative offices — were occupied for the first time. Razed in 1957 to make way for Rasche and Brodie halls, the buildings were located on the Upper Quad in an area currently being redeveloped to include two new residence halls for the Corps of Cadets, as well as the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building.
First and Second Academic buildings, c. 1894