Graduate Life Center Plaza and Amphitheatre pavers available

During the summer of 2009 construction will begin on the new Graduate Life Center Plaza and Amphitheatre, which will be located between the Graduate Life Center and Newman Library on Virginia Tech's main campus in Blacksburg.

Editor's note: The deadline for purchasing pavers has been extended to July 15.

“The plaza will be a gathering place and cultural hub for graduate students and the campus community,” says Monika Gibson, director of student services at the graduate school. “The plaza will also have space designed to accommodate outdoor performances,” she said.

Graduate students, graduate student groups, alumni, departments, faculty, and supporters of graduate education at Virginia Tech may purchase specially engraved pavers for the plaza until June 15. A paver measuring 8 inches by 8 inches may be purchased for $75 and include two lines of text of up to 13 characters each, including spaces. Also, a larger paver sized 8 inches by 12 inches costs $100 and may include three lines of text, of up to 20 characters.

“These personally engraved pavers will pay tribute to, and chronicle the rich history of graduate education at Virginia Tech,” said Karen P. DePauw, vice president and dean of graduate education.

Each paver will be accompanied by a longer explanation or story that makes a connection to graduate education or the graduate experience. These stories will be edited and displayed on the Graduate School’s website. The Graduate School will review all inscriptions.

This project is sponsored by the class of 1959, the Parents Fund, and the Graduate School.

• Learn more about the new Graduate Life Center plaza and the pavers project.