Letter from Charlie Phlegar

Dear colleagues,

What a tremendous 24 hours for Virginia Tech! On Tuesday morning, we announced a $20 million gift from David Calhoun, to transform the Honors College and interdisciplinary problem-solving, and Tuesday at noon, we launched the university’s first annual Giving Day. This morning, as the Giving Day totals approached and then surpassed $1 million, I felt incredible pride in your efforts. As Giving Day closed at noon, we had received 4,826 gifts totaling $1,577,583. This is quite remarkable for our first Giving Day.

To relive the momentum of these 24 hours, and to imagine where we’re going, read more about:

• Giving Day
  
• The Honors College gift, with a video featuring remarks from President Tim Sands and David Calhoun ’79

Speaking yesterday morning, Dave challenged alumni to practice the act of giving, even small amounts from new graduates. Said Calhoun, “Ultimately, we would take control of the destiny of the very institution we love, by virtue of the financial and intellectual support that we give it.” Here is a short clip that says it all.  

As an Advancement team, we aspire to be a best-in-class organization with best-in-class results – and we took a big step this week. Everyone rallied around this cause, from the alumni chapters, to the colleges and units and across the university. We are on the right path, and I thank you for all that you have done on behalf of Virginia Tech!

Thank you!

Charlie