Starting today at noon EST, Hokies have 24 hours to join in and make a difference for what they love most about Virginia Tech. Giving Day has a long-lasting and far-reaching impact on Virginia Tech and Hokies everywhere. 

Last year’s Giving Day celebrations reached Hokies as near as Blacksburg and as far away as Anna Hawthorne in Melbourne, Australia, one of the farthest-away supporters.

Anna moved to Australia in 2018, where she currently lives with her husband, Matt, and their adopted rescue greyhound, but her roots are closer to Blacksburg. 

Anna grew up on a farm in Brunswick County, a small, one-stoplight county in Virginia. She comes from a family of Hokies, so when she was offered a scholarship to Virginia Tech, she gladly accepted. 

During her time at the university, she marveled at the diversity on campus and how much there was to do in Blacksburg compared with her hometown, but the one thing that still influences her today? The people.

“I had so much support from numerous faculty and staff members during my academic career. Some of the smartest and best people I've ever met, I met through Virginia Tech,” she said listing off names of half a dozen Hokies from across campus. “I'm grateful for their support and influence on me.”

This support is what inspired her to give back on Giving Day. 

“I felt like I needed to honor the people who were involved in various, important ways during my time at Virginia Tech and in Blacksburg. As a student and employee, I spent over 20 years on campus. It’s an amazing place, and I’m proud to be part of the Hokie community. Go, Hokies!”

Giving Day is a powerful display of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), and the generosity of Hokies like Anna has an impact every day. To join other Hokies in the spirit of Ut Prosim this Giving Day, go to givingday.vt.edu.

What Hokie Nation makes possible through giving 

Join Hokie Nation in a 24-hour celebration of Hokie Spirit this Giving Day! Game. ON.

Contact:

Tags

Share this story