'Ut Prosim': More than a motto at Virginia Tech
A glance at Virginia Tech’s resumé reveals 37,000 students, nearly 300 degree programs, campuses at locations from Blacksburg to Roanoke and the greater Washington, D.C., area, as well as education centers around the globe, a $500 million research portfolio, a nearly $2 billion operational budget, and worldwide influence in numerous fields of study. Yet interestingly, the foundation for all that impact centers on two simple Latin words encompassing eight letters:
Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)
Use the links below to learn more about the history of Ut Prosim and what the motto means at Virginia Tech today.
Service is only as helpful as the people performing it. As we celebrate the university’s sesquicentennial, we recognize just a few of the students, faculty, and alumni who embrace Ut Prosim — and more importantly, live by it.
Use the links below to learn about them and how they put Ut Prosim into action today.
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Tom Bagamane '83 , article"Our legacy as Hokies should be measured not on the material value that we have created or possess, but on the impact our learning and success has on underserved lives in positive and sustainable ways.”
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Gabriela Carrillo '14, '22 , article“I see service as a way to build and strengthen our community. I think you can only do that when you truly integrate into the community, when you’re able to listen to other people’s stories and perspectives and understand the context of how your community has been shaped. Service allows you that opportunity.”
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Alivia Colon , article"I would encourage all students to try and do some service during their time at Tech. It doesn't matter — 10 hours or 400. To me, if you do one event every semester, that is a perfect way to kind of give back. You put attention toward something, and it grows."
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Madisyn Dalton '22 , article"The attitude of service on campus and among the faculty is so evident and empowering."
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Carla Finkielstein , article“I’m a person who believes that every scientist has a social responsibility. I think service should be part of being a scientist, so I think the university aligns very well with my beliefs of what science is all about."
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Collin Jessie , article"No matter what you want to do in life, you go to Virginia Tech to make a difference in this world, and I'm extremely proud to call myself a Hokie because of that."
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Ana Montoya , article"I like to devote my time and service for others, and I don't want to do it three hours a week or five hours a week. I want to be as involved as I can in the community."
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Aaron Rouse '07 , article"As an elected member of a governing body, I feel putting action toward words is so important because, at the end of the day, rhetoric only gets you so far."
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Emily Satterwhite and Rebecca Hester , article“One thing that I think about is how hungry the students are to be meaningfully engaged,” Satterwhite said.
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Emily Smith ’22 , article“I think service is a product of a small town and a product of Virginia Tech. People want to care about each other and want to be involved in each other's lives."
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Martha Sullivan , article“I think people need entry-level opportunities to really be mindful citizens and really be connected to their community and realize if we all give a little, the community is going to be just amazing."
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Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams '85 , article“We now face a critical juncture in our nation. Can our nation move into the next 250 years? Not just Virginia Tech's 150 years, but can we go into the next 250 years? I think Virginia Tech will be a key component of leading that way, so that, as a republic, we continue to thrive and to grow. "
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