A welcome message from Virginia Tech President Tim Sands

To the Virginia Tech community,

Welcome to the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year! There is nothing quite like August in Blacksburg as a new semester and new Hokies energize the town and our campus. To all our first-year and transfer students, welcome to our community. We’re happy you’re here and look forward to helping you make Virginia Tech your home. Welcome to our new and returning faculty and staff. I look forward to seeing you around campus, and if we haven’t already met, please stop me to say hello.

As you likely know, due to the most successful undergraduate recruiting cycle in our history, we have a record entering class and more students on campus than we initially expected. I appreciate the many students, faculty, and staff who worked hard over the summer to prepare, and I’m grateful to the Town of Blacksburg and area businesses who have worked closely with us to support our community this year. Thanks to this collective effort, we are ready and looking forward to a great experience. If you have any questions, visit VT23FAQ, or email askvt@vt.edu for help.

As you make new friends and familiarize yourself with our campus and community, please take advantage of the many activities, groups, and opportunities available to you. Be engaged, be bold and adventurous, and be open to new experiences and perspectives. In other words, be a HOKIE.

There is much more to say about the upcoming year and our plans for the future. I hope you’ll join me at the Virginia Tech State of the University Address on Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m. in the Moss Arts Center, where I’ll share more about our progress, aspirations, and challenges.

Have a great year and go Hokies!

Tim Sands,
President