Virginia Tech honored its authors during University Libraries’ Authors Recognition Event, celebrating new books published in 2025 and the breadth of scholarship across the university. This event is made possible by the Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill Endowment for Special Events.
Now in its 18th year, the event recognized 83 books by 82 authors representing all nine academic colleges, along with administrative units, research centers, and institutes.
“This is what it means to be a comprehensive university,” Executive Vice President and Provost Julie Ross said during her remarks at the event. “What we see here tonight is what we mean when we say those words.”
Hosted by University Libraries, the annual event highlights the role of authorship in advancing research, creativity, and public knowledge.
“University Libraries is here to support creating and curating scholarship, to use it, to analyze it, really for people, whatever it is they want to do with scholarship,” said Tyler Walters, dean of University Libraries.
Recognizing scholarship and its impact
The event brings together the university community to recognize the work behind each publication and the impact those contributions have within and beyond academia.
“Authorship is creating scholarship, taking research and disseminating it into the world so others can learn and build upon the work that our authors at Virginia Tech are doing,” said Corinne Guimont, director of Virginia Tech Publishing & Press.
Books on display reflected a wide range of topics and approaches, from technical research to creative works, illustrating both the depth and interdisciplinary nature of Virginia Tech scholarship.
“It’s everything from the history of Virginia to artificial intelligence,” Walters said.
Expanding access to knowledge
University Libraries continues to support authors through publishing services, including open access initiatives and the growth of Virginia Tech Publishing & Press.
“We operate the Virginia Tech Publishing & Press. It’s a publishing service and a formal university press,” Walters said. “Everything we publish is open access, so that means it’s freely available online to readers.”
These efforts align with the university’s land-grant mission by increasing access to research and enabling broader use of scholarly work.
“That knowledge is out there. It’s open to everybody, whether you’re at a university or not,” Guimont said.
Authors and their work
Recognized authors said the event offered an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of authorship and connect with colleagues across disciplines.
“Authorship is important because the book is a piece of art,” said Soham Patel, collegiate assistant professor in the Department of English. “I admire my peers and my colleagues so much. To be here with them and celebrate their books with mine is really a great honor.”
A continuing tradition
As publishing continues to evolve, university leaders emphasized the lasting value of books and scholarly work.
“To write is to take on a particular kind of responsibility,” said Laura Belmonte, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. “It requires time, discipline, and a willingness to sit with complex thoughts long enough to say something lasting. Writing asks us to move beyond hot takes and instant reactions. It requires us to develop an argument, to test it, to refine it, and to stand behind it.”
“All of these books on display are really bridges between mind and meaning,” said Dan Sui, senior vice president and chief research officer. “They are cultural documents that communicate ideas across space and time. They speak volumes to future generations as well.”
