Monday, October 3, 2016

A Walk Around Virginia Tech


Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia lies Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech was founded as a land-grant institution in 1872. In 1896, Virginia Tech adopted the motto “Ut Prosim,” which translates from Latin to “That I May Serve.” This still serves as the motto today. Everywhere you turn on campus, you see a way Virginia Tech shows its pride and tradition. From Hokie Stone, Tech Triumph, "Hokies," Skipper, Beamer Way; the list goes on and on. Having been a strong military college in it’s early years, Virginia Tech is one of three public universities with active members of the corps and civilian population on campus. In 2016, the undergraduate population is right around 30,000 students.  Although many things have changed over the years, Virginia Tech has been a mainstay in the Commonwealth. With the rich tradition and sense of community that surrounds the university, it is easy to fall in love with Virginia Tech. Below are pictures of some of the most popular spots on campus.  


Lane Stadium was built in 1965. It is named after Edward H. Lane, a graduate and former member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech. Worsham Field was dedicated in 1992 to honor Wes and Janet Worsham, longtime Hokie supporters. Lane Stadium seats 66,233 people on a Saturday afternoon. The latest innovations to the stadium were in 2006, when this sign on Beamer Way was also erected.

Torgersen Hall was constructed in 2000. The building is named after the fourteenth president of Virginia Tech, Paul E. Torgersen. Torgersen Bridge (pictured) is a quiet area, which students use to study. The bridge connects Torgersen Hall to Newman Library. Also pictured is a hedge shaped to form the Virginia Tech school logo, the “VT.” There are numerous hedges like this on campus, including one by English Field.

Each entrance to the Virginia Tech campus has either a stone or black signage welcoming you to campus. This stone is near the entrance by the Moss Arts Center and Squires Student Center off of Main Street in Blacksburg. The logo on the stone includes the Pylons above War Memorial Chapel as well as “1872” the year Virginia Tech was founded.

Burruss Hall is the main administration building at Virginia Tech. The office of the President is in Burruss Hall. Burruss holds events such as concerts, Ring Premiere at Virginia Tech, commencement ceremonies as well as other events. The building is named after the eighth president of Virginia Tech, Julian A. Burruss. The building was originally constructed in 1936 with additions coming in 1958, 1968 and 2007.

April 16th, 2007 was the darkest day in the history of Virginia Tech. 32 members of the Hokie Nation were slain that day by a gunman in what was then the largest shooting in United States history. 32 Hokie Stones stand with this stone (pictured) in the middle of them. The memorial is always decorated in some way. Every April 16th, there are events centered at the memorial. The memorial was dedicated August 19th, 2007.

The Drillfield is the divider between the academic and residential sides of campus at Virginia Tech. Each day, thousands of people cross the Drillfield as they trek across campus to wherever they may be going. Since 1894, this has been a hub for the Corps of Cadets drills, recreational activity amongst students, festivals as well as many other events that take place at Virginia Tech.

The Duck Pond at Virginia Tech is a wonderful place to relax on a warm day. The pond was man made in the mid-1930s. The dam closest to Duck Pond Drive carries water to Stroubles Creek and eventually the New River. The Duck Pond is home to many waterfowl as well as a variety of fish.

The Virginia Department of Historical Resources placed a historical marker at the edge of the Virginia Tech campus in 1996. This is one of numerous historical landmarks on campus. The sign gives a short background on how Virginia Tech was founded, as well as what happened on campus in the years before Virginia Tech was founded.











No comments:

Post a Comment