Class of 2023: Sarah Downer uses art to share her Appalachian heritage

Name: Sarah Downer

College: College of Architecture, Arts, and Design

Major: Creative technologies

Hometown: Newport, Virginia

Plans after graduation: Starting work in January on a master's degree in natural resources

Virginia Tech initially seemed like an unattainable dream to Downer, who will graduate summa cum laude on Friday.

“I worked at the university beginning as a part-time summer hire, moving to full time after a couple of summers,” Downer said. “I didn’t think I had the knowledge that I’d need for college, and it seemed out of my realm financially. A group of co-workers who had attended Virginia Tech didn’t accept that thinking from me, and they got me on a group call with the student academic advisor from the School of Visual Arts. It all started from there.

“I started my Virginia Tech academic career later in life,” Downer said. “And I have been able to utilize the university’s tuition waiver program to take classes half-time toward my degree while I work a full-time job.”

Salaried employees who have been with the university for at least 90 days are eligible to apply for tuition assistance or waivers. The program applies to full- and part-time salaried employees who wish to take credit courses at Virginia Tech or other accredited institutions.

“My education has broadened my worldview and helped me become a better person and member of my community,” she said, “and I want that for everyone.”

Downer works at the Hume Center for National Security and Technology, part of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute, as program coordinator. There, she leverage two years of experience coordinating special events, managing student data management, and cultivating a student community as the executive assistant at the Apex Center for Entrepreneurs. She loves what she does and will continue her work post-graduation.

Prior to Apex, Downer worked for over 10 years at Continuing and Professional Education as a program support specialist, coordinating logistics and registration data for events, conferences, and workshops both within and outside the university.

Appalachian heritage

On Dec. 1, Downer presented an animated short film about her Appalachian heritage in front of hundreds of people at the December Aspire! Awards. Downer specializes in 3-D character design, and her short – her capstone project – showcased her meticulous and richly detailed designs.

"I was proud to represent Appalachian Hokies at the Aspirations for Student Learning awards breakfast,” Downer said. “Appalachian people are as varied as they come, but in general, they hold family and kinship near and dear to their hearts. They are strong, resilient, and hard-working. Their sense of community means helping neighbors and looking out for each other. Cooking and farming techniques often resulted out of sheer necessity and self-sufficiency. My heritage is something I like to represent through my art. It lets me share very special memories with my audience and allows me to foster an appreciation for Appalachia.”

Top senior

Using the tuition waiver program made it possible for Downer to attend two three-credit classes a semester.

“Faculty have been extremely accommodating and supportive along the way,” Downer said. “I cannot thank them enough for helping me get to this point. From making space for me to slowly progress through the required foundations courses, to climbing the learning curve of 3-D animation tools, to mentoring me in the art of storytelling, so many faculty and staff have been there for me.”

Over the course of her studies, Downer’s work did not go unnoticed by those around her. As a top graduating senior this fall in the creative technologies major in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, she was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Medallion Award, given to only one student at each college at Virginia Tech. Downer was also invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, a prestigious academic honor society.   

Future plans

Downer will be starting her maste'rs degree program in January, again leveraging the tuition waiver program.

Her ambition?

“I am hoping to be able to use my storytelling ability to make a difference in natural resources management in Appalachia,” Downer said. “When you go into the mountains, the sense of tranquility and peace is overwhelming. I don’t want the community’s heritage and its stories to be lost. Since natural resources are the foundation of rural Appalachian economies, strategic management will shape their future. It’s my way of giving back.”