The Virginia Tech Union and University Unions and Student Activities have announced two special events during Hokie Hi, a week of events and Hokie traditions designed to welcome students back to campus.

Update, Friday, Aug. 21: The location for the movie on the Drillfield has been changed to Burruss Hall auditorium because of the possibility of rain.

Hypnotist Tom DeLuca is back by popular demand with an audience participation show Thursday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. in Burruss Hall. And the much acclaimed 2009 reboot of “Star Trek” will be the movie on the Drillfield Friday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. (rain location Burruss Hall). Both events are free and open to the Virginia Tech community.

DeLuca’s mixture of humor, imagination, and spontaneity “takes the idea of audience participation into the outer limits of entertainment,” according to “Variety.” Funny and often poignant, his approach has made him a favorite performer at Virginia Tech for 13 years. DeLuca is the only hypnotist to be named four-time National Association of Campus Activities National Campus Entertainer of the Year as well as Campus Activites Today Entertainer of the Year.

DeLuca earned a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. While working as a therapist, he also began performing before local civic groups. He then went on to hone his skills as a stage performer throughout the mid-west before gaining national prominence. In addition to performing at hundreds of colleges and universities, DeLuca has brought his hypnosis show to corporate America, where he focuses on stress and burnout prevention. The spontaneity and warmth of his live shows have made him a frequent guest on television talk shows.

The 2009 ”Star Trek” film takes audiences back to where “Star Trek” began, using time travel to explore a familiar cast of characters at a younger point in their lives. Sailing the Starship Enterprise into the final frontier, young Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Chekov, and Scotty encounter adventure, action, and romance as they battle the evil Romulan Capt. Nero. Directed by J. J. Abrams of “Lost” fame, the film has “just what summer blockbusters need if they are to live long and prosper,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Virginia Tech Union is the largest programming organization at Virginia Tech hosting over 60 events each academic year. Founded in 1969, the mission of the Virginia Tech Union is to provide quality educational and social entertainment that represents the diverse culture of Virginia Tech’s students and its community.

In addition, the Virginia Tech Union enhances the Virginia Tech students’ out-of-classroom experience through leadership and volunteer opportunities. Comprised of 12 volunteer student directors, the Virginia Tech Union is responsible for the concerts, films, speakers, special events, and fine arts programming on the Virginia Tech campus. The Virginia Tech Union is advised by the Virginia Tech department of student activities.

Learn more about Hokie Hi week and University Unions and Student Activities.

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