Events for April 16, 2011
The April 16, 2011, Day of Remembrance will honor the 32 people who lost their lives on April 16, 2007, and will focus on their commitment to helping others and bettering society.
The emphasis on service for the 2011 Day of Remembrance and beyond, was part of the plan directed by the 2009 April 16 Steering Committee. In response, the 4.16 Student Planning Committee has created an initiative entitled "32 for 32" for the 2010-11 academic year and are challenging Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to pledge 32 hours of service to be completed by April 16, 2011.
Participants may use and record any service hours completed since July 1, 2010 and should include special and ongoing projects through campus, community, church, and school organizations.
To pledge and/or record hours of community service by, April 16, 2011, please visit the VT-Engage website at www.engage.vt.edu.
- Midnight: Ceremonial Candle Lighting – April 16 Memorial
A candle will be lit by members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and representatives of the student body at midnight. The Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes. The candle will remain lit for 24 hours. - 9:40 a.m.: 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance – Virginia Tech Campus CANCELED
The 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance was canceled because of severe weather. Runners and event volunteers should not report. The event will not be rescheduled. - 11:30 a.m.: Community Picnic – NEW LOCATION: Commonwealth Ballroom of Squires Student Center
An event designed to embrace the relationships between colleagues, friends, and family both on and off campus. There will be food from local vendors provided at the event; however we encourage you to bring additional food and picnic blankets if possible. - 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (unless otherwise noted): Expressions of Remembrance
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Reflection and Music – War Memorial Chapel
The chapel will be available for private reflection and remembrance. Musicians will perform. In addition, candles will be available to light in memory of lost loved ones. - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: 2nd floor Norris Hall Open House
The Center for Peace Studies & Violence Prevention, the Dr. Liviu Librescu Student Engagement Center, and the Norris Hall Art Gallery will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Remembrance Through Arts Showcase – Burruss Hall
Presented by The Contemporary Dance Ensemble of Virginia Tech, a student run organization.This showcase was inspired by the artistic talents of the victims of April 16 , incorporating performing arts that will include different styles of dance, vocal performance, instrumental performance, spoken poetry, presentation of photography, and displays of April 16 artwork. The majority of acts will be performed by current Virginia Tech students and alumni. The event is free to the public. Questions about the showcase can be directed to the Contemporary Dance Ensemble Memorial Director, Adrienne Ginter (aeginter@vt.edu). - A Community of Learners, a Legacy of Achievement – Second Floor (Learning Commons) Newman Library
This display highlights the academic achievements and interests of the 32 victims of the April 16, 2007 tragedy, and their shared legacy which will be cherished and celebrated for years to come. Through their academic and professional pursuits, each contributed in a unique way to the indomitable culture of our Hokie Nation. Included in the display are photographs, publications, program descriptions, representations of academic awards/citations, and a variety of other items that showcase various achievements and interests. The display can be viewed on the second floor of Newman Library, from April 11th – 18th, 2010. - Memorial Exhibit and Slide Show – Holtzman Alumni Center
The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will display in the Alumni Museum selected memorial items presented to Virginia Tech in the days and weeks following April 16, 2007. A memorial slideshow, depicting images taken around the world that represented the outpouring of support after the tragedy, will be shown in Assembly Hall. Questions may be directed to the alumni association at (540) 231-6285. Get directions to the alumni center. - Video of the April 17, 2007 Convocation – Auditorium, Graduate Life Center
A videotape of the convocation will be shown in its entirety throughout the afternoon. - BreakZONE Free Play
- A display of framed photographic images taken on and after April 16, 2007 – Old Dominion Ballroom, Squires
This was part of the show curated for the one year anniversary of 4/16 that was held in the Perspective Art Gallery. The display takes a historical approach portraying images ranging from those captured by press on that tragic day and the days, weeks, and months that followed. - Elizabeth Wallace Pastels of the 32 Hokies lost on April 16, 2007 – G. Burke Johnston Student Center Hallway
Moved by the tragedy, Ms. Wallace, an artist in California, originally created a set of 32 pastel portraits for each person killed on April 16th, which was either sent to each person’s family or is being kept in storage. Charles Steger commissioned Ms. Wallace to create a second set of pastels for the university community to keep in perpetuity. - Quiet Places for Reflection
Read descriptions on each place and find them on the campus map.
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Reflection and Music – War Memorial Chapel
- 7:30 p.m.: University Commemoration & Candlelight Vigil – April 16 Memorial - Listen to audio from the vigil
A university-wide commemoration and candlelight vigil will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial. The program will recognize the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives that day. The event will be coordinated by Virginia Tech students representing a variety of student organizations. Following the candlelight vigil, candles will be collected to repurpose for the 2012 candlelight vigil. - 11:59 p.m.: Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle – April 16 Memorial
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes prior to the 11:59 p.m. extinguishing. The candle will be extinguished and the light will be carried back into Burruss Hall, representing the commitment to never forget.
Related events
The Virginia Tech Richmond Center in partnership with the Richmond Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association are hosting a blood drive to honor the victims of April 16. The blood drive will be held at the Virginia Tech Richmond Center on Friday, April 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive will be facilitated by Virginia Blood Services and all members of the Greater Richmond Community are invited to contribute to show their support.
The fourth annual Remembrance Blood Drive will be held on Friday, April 15, at the Virginia Tech Southwest Center in Abingdon. The blood drive is a partnership with the Virginia Tech Southwest Virginia Alumni Association and Johnston Memorial Blood Bank. In addition, the center and the Southwest Virginia Alumni Association are sponsoring a 3.2-mile run on Saturday, April 16. For information on both events, contact Penny McCallum at (276) 619-4311.
The Reynolds Homestead in Critz, Va., is planning a food drive on Saturday, April 16 to collect nonperishable items. For information, contact Kay Dunkley or call (276) 694-7181.
Join the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and American Red Cross for the 4th annual blood drive on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Youth Development Center, 3 Battaile Drive, Winchester, Va. The Hokie Nation bonded together after April 2007 more than any time in our history. This bond created a sense of spirit and a momentum of living the university’s motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Register at www.shenandoahhokies.com and click on “make an appointment here.” Sponsor code: VTblooddrive11 If you have any questions, visit us online at www.shenandoahhokies.com or e-mail dforte@ft.newyorklife.com.
The National Capital Region Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association will host events on April 15 and 16. The DC Hokies will be hosting its annual INOVA Blood Drive at the Northern Virginia Graduate Center in Falls Church on April 15th from 1:00-6:00. We will remember the victims from the shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, by donating blood to those in need in the National Capital Region. Please e-mail Sean Callanan at scallana@vt.edu to schedule an appointment. On Saturday, April 16, join your fellow Hokies and volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Alexandria. The ReStore takes donations of new, used and surplus building supplies, appliances, and other home improvement items for resale at 50-90% below retail prices. The proceeds go toward the construction of Habitat homes. Volunteers work with ReStore staff collecting and receiving donated materials, pricing and stocking items, cleaning and organizing the store, assisting customers, and running the cash register. For more information and to register please go to: http://www.dchokies.org/event/Volunteer-Alexandria.
Join the New Jersey Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Hokie Nation Serves initiative “Sort by the Tunes" on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ 07205). We will enjoy lively tunes while assisting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. You may also bring canned goods to this event to further aid our efforts. The Hokie Nation bonded together after April 16, 2007 more than any time in our history. This bond created a sense of spirit and a momentum of living the university’s motto UT PROSIM (That I May Serve). Our chapter will add our collective service hours from this event to the total service hours that VT-ENGAGE is tracking. Children under the age of 12, open toe shoes, purses, and bags are NOT allowed in the warehouse at any time. If you have questions, contact Lauren Isbell at lauren.isbell@gmail.com. RSVP on the New Jersey Hokies Facebook site by April 15.
Join the Portland Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association for “We Remember” Day on Saturday, April 16, 2011, in remembrance of the 32 victims who lost their lives at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. We will be joining Friends of Trees for a Neighborhood Greenway (aka Bike Boulevard) tree planting. We will meet for coffee and doughnuts between 8 - 8:30 a.m. at the staging area, but will be working in northeast Portland at northeast Tillamook/Hancock (between 42nd and 92nd Avenue). RSVP by April 4 to cluttkus@vt.edu. Please indicate if anyone under 18 years of age will be helping.
Join the Knoxville Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 10 a.m. for Hokie Highway Clean-up. April 16th Memorial tree dedication and potluck to follow at Anchor Park in Farragut.
