Summer programs will educate, inform, and entertain thousands

Lazy, hazy summer days will be few and far between at Virginia Tech from June through mid-August as the university welcomes more than 15,000 visitors from 100 groups and organizations to campus for a variety of educational, professional development, athletic, cultural, and summer fun programs.

These events and activities will take place during the university's First Summer Session, which runs from May 26 through July 2, and Second Summer Session, with classes scheduled from July 7 through Aug. 13.

In addition to students, faculty, and staff normally on campus for the summer sessions, some 5,000 incoming freshmen and 950 transfer students, along with parents and other family members, will be in Blacksburg over the summer.

Incoming freshmen students will attend one of the required orientation sessions, which run from July 6 through July 24; transfer students will attend one of the required orientation sessions, which run from June 22 through June 24. Orientation provides an opportunity for students and their parents to learn about Virginia Tech and prepare for college experience. Both parents and students will stay in residence halls on campus and eat in D2 dining center. Details relating to the 2009 orientation program are available through the Orientation website.

Construction and Renovations

Meanwhile, renovation and new construction projects will take place on campus. Construction continues on the 59,000-square-foot basketball practice facility for use by the men’s and women’s intercollegiate basketball teams. The building, to be located adjacent to Cassell Coliseum, will include two practice courts, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a training room for both teams, and space for Olympic weight training.

Progress also continues on the Experimental Theatre-portion of the Henderson Hall renovation project. An academic building with performance space and a lobby of moveable glass panels that open out onto the end of Draper Road on College Avenue, the theatre will begin hosting performances as early as fall 2009. Read more about The Arts Initiative at Virginia Tech and the Experimental Theatre beginning on page six of the fall 2008 edition of Spheres magazine.

Renovations will begin this summer on the east wing of Ambler Johnston Hall. When both wings are completed in 2012, the residence hall will include a three-story central atrium; suite- and traditional-style rooms for 1,195 students; a fitness center; a library; and a technology center. The projects completed during the summer months help create an enhanced teaching, learning, and research environment for faculty and students when they return for the fall semester.

Special programs and events

Concurrent with regular summer session classes and the orientation program, a variety of special programs are being offered to participants from around the state and nation. A long list of scheduled conferences, sports camps, conventions, and other events include the following:

4-H Congress: From June 15-18, the Virginia 4-H will hold its 89th State Congress at Virginia Tech. The congress will bring more than 600 4-H members, volunteer leaders, and Virginia Cooperative Extension agents to campus. The 4-H Congress is an annual statewide event offering educational experiences and competitions for outstanding 4-H members and adult volunteer leaders. All of their activities are associated with their guidelines of Head (clearer thinking), Heart (greater loyalty), Hands (to larger service), and Health (better living). More information is available at the Virginia 4-H online.

Computers and Technology Camp: Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering is holding a program called C-Tech², “Computers and Technology at Virginia Tech,” from June 28-July 11. A primary focus of the program is to help develop and sustain the interests of women in engineering and the sciences. The program gives participants the opportunity to explore applications of engineering, math, and science in a way that is fun and exciting. Tthe majority of the time will be spent involved in hands-on activities designed to increase your interest in and knowledge of applications of engineering, math, and science to real world situations. The target population for the program is rising high school junior and senior girls. Find more information about the camp online.

Future Farmers of America (FFA): From June 22-25, the Virginia FFA Association will hold its 83rd State FFA Convention at Virginia Tech. The convention will bring over 1,300 members and guests from all across the state. The Virginia FFA Association is dedicated to preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. For more information, visit the Virginia FFA website.

College Bound 2009: College Bound is a college transition program for high school juniors, seniors, rising college freshman with disabilities, their parents, and professionals in the fields of education and transition services. The event will be held from June 24 -26. Learn more about College Bound at Virginia Tech.

Master Gardener College: The Virginia Master Gardener Association will hold its 22st annual Master Gardener College on campus from June 16-21. Participants will attend numerous horticultural workshops, training sessions, tours, and meetings. For more information, visit the Virginia Master Gardener Program online.

Summer Arts Festival 2009: The Summer Arts Festival 2009, a joint effort by Virginia Tech School of the Arts and the Town of Blacksburg, is celebrating its 18th year bringing the joy of the arts to Blacksburg summers. The festival's events, enjoyed by some 50,000 people last year, begin on May 29 and end in late August. This year's events are free and will provide New River Valley residents; Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students; conference attendees; and tourists with an attractive array of arts and cultural attractions. Learn more about the festival.

The 2009 Joint ASCE-ASME-SES Conference on Mechanics and Materials: Held from June 24-27, the conference will provide a major forum for the exchange of ideas and discussion of recent developments in all mechanics and materials research fields. The technical sessions and symposia on fundamentals, tools, and applications serve to highlight and promote educational needs, emerging thrusts, novel techniques, and innovative applications in areas that span across many engineering disciplines. Researchers, engineers, industry representatives, public officials, and all others who have an interest are invited to attend and participate. Find more information online.

Dual Career Conference: The 7th annual Dual Career Conference will be held at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Thursday and Friday, June 4-5. The Higher Education Dual Career Network (HEDCN) is an informal network of individuals working at institutions of higher education around the world on issues related to faculty and/or staff dual career recruitment. Member institutions include universities not only from the United States, but also from Canada and Germany. The conference continues a tradition of informality with supportive colleagues openly sharing ideas and issues. For more information, visit the Dual Career Conference online.

2009 Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference: As tree improvement programs in the South continue to increase the productivity and value of plantations for traditional forest products, changes in land ownership and diversification of goals present new opportunities and challenges. At the 30th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference, held May 31–June 3, there will a progress update on forest tree improvement, genetics, genomics and biotechnology. The interface between tree improvement and changing land ownership and objectives will also be explored. For more information, visit the conference online.

A detailed list of summer activities coordinated by the Office of Student Programs can be found on the 2009 Guest Calendar.

A comprehensive list of summer events coordinated by Continuing Education can by found on the Continuing and Professional Education Calendar and the University Event Calendar.

Fall classes begin at Virginia Tech on Monday, Aug. 24.