Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approves decrease in medical school tuition, and veterinary hospital project
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors held an open session meeting Aug. 26, and university President Tim Sands welcomed the group in attendance to the start of the fall semester, while also touching on an array of important topics.
Sands publicly thanked the advancement division for the progress made in fundraising. Virginia Tech’s advancement team raised more than $356 million in new gifts and commitments in fiscal year 2026 – a total that included $52 million for Virginia Tech Advantage, $81 million for global distinction, and more than $125 million for athletics.
Sands also pointed out that the Boundless Impact: The Campaign for Virginia Tech has exceeded more than $2.2 billion, with more than 127,000 Hokies engaged.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important philanthropy is to our future,” Sands said. “It’s an indication of alignment with our stakeholders, their resonance with our vision, and the ability of our faculty, staff, academic leaders, key alumni, and students to articulate the compelling impact of gifts and engagement.
“The degree to which we can grow philanthropic engagement will determine the trajectory of Virginia Tech. It’s that simple.”
Sands also singled out the AI Futures Working Group that he established to create a compelling, principles-based approach that will distinguish the university in its AI orientation. Rishi Jaitly, professor of practice and distinguished humanities fellow in the Center of Humanities, and Warren Dixon, the new engineering dean, are co-leading the efforts.
“It’s important that we shape an institutional orientation to AI as an opportunity to enhance our ability to serve, with a healthy dose of consideration for responsible use, ethics, and critical analysis of the impact of AI,” Sands said.
Sands did acknowledge in his remarks that challenges are ahead for the university, including the changes in demand for talent in light of AI and fundamental shifts in the economy; the coming decrease in the number of high school graduates pursuing degrees; the profound shift of the federal government away from the longstanding partnership with higher education in advancing the nation’s science, technology, and security interests; and the inability to secure international talent.
“Yet all these challenges present opportunities to those who adapt quickly,” Sands said. “Virginia Tech is up to those challenges.”
Other actions and discussions during the meeting include the following:
The Board of Visitors approved a $15,000 reduction per year in the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine tuition rate for Virginia residents. The decision comes after the governor and General Assembly approved $6.5 million in recurring annual operating support for the medical school, marking the first continuing state investment to allow the medical school to offer an in-state tuition rate as part of its enrollment growth strategy. The tuition rate for out-of-state students remains unchanged since the state provides no funding for non-resident students.
The Facilities and Administration Committee approved the design review for the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Teaching Hospital Renovation and Expansion capital project. The board granted construction authorization and the project is set to begin in spring 2027, with completion anticipated for spring 2029. This action demonstrates continued support for Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission and its nationally recognized veterinary education and biomedical research enterprise.
The project will renovate and expand approximately 52,000 gross square feet to meet growing demand for advanced veterinary care, evolving enrollment, and expanded specialty services. Construction will be phased to maintain hospital operations and minimize disruptions. Improvements will increase the facility’s capacity for internal medicine, cardiology, theriogenology, community practice, and emergency services while modernizing clinical, instructional, and support spaces.
By aligning educational environments with contemporary clinical standards, the project ensures that students are prepared to meet evolving demands in veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences. The project represents a strategic investment in veterinary education and patient care, strengthening the college’s ability to prepare practice-ready graduates and meet the evolving needs of the profession.
Tom Wamsley, the senior vice president for advancement, gave a presentation Wednesday on the record philanthropy year for the university, as mentioned above. Alumni, friends, students, employees, corporations, and foundations invested in Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission at unprecedented levels and raised more than $356.2 million in new gifts and commitments during the last fiscal year.
For thousands of students, philanthropy makes possible a Virginia Tech education and related experiences that help them thrive after graduation. Giving provides researchers with crucial resources and equipment to pursue discoveries and tackle pressing challenges. And it enhances the university’s ability to prepare workforce talent, help the state economy, and draw more than 500,000 visitors per year to athletic events. This philanthropy will advance university priorities focused on access, student access, research prominence, and athletics competitiveness.
During the Academic, Research, and Student Affairs committee meeting Tuesday afternoon, Eric Paterson, executive director of the National Security Institute at Virginia Tech, and Maj. Gen. William Seely, commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, announced that Virginia Tech was selected by the Department of Defense/War to lead a new Senior Service College Fellowship program.
The program brings senior military officers to campus to conduct advanced research with Virginia Tech faculty and students, engage with the university community, and may attend courses without receiving credit. The designation builds on Virginia Tech’s status as one of the nation’s six senior military colleges and its growing strengths in national security research, engineering, technology, policy, and leadership development.
The Board of Visitors approved a resolution formalizing Virginia Tech’s participation in the program, which is designed to prepare senior military and national security leaders to navigate increasingly complex security challenges. The Virginia Tech National Security Institute will host the inaugural fellow, a U.S. Marine Corps officer, for 10 months as an unpaid visiting faculty member beginning this fall.
The board also voted to restructure the university’s living-learning community programs, approving a resolution that refocuses offerings around student demand and positions the university for stronger enrollment competitiveness. The changes take effect fall 2027 and build on Virginia Tech's more than 20-year history of LLC programming. A recent university review confirmed that demand remains strong – incoming students submitted more than 4,400 LLC applications last year.
The resolution exempts three programs – the Corps of Cadets, the Honors College residential program, and the Casa Maderni program in Switzerland — from the LLC and directs that on-campus beds be prioritized for incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Going forward, the provost’s office will conduct annual reviews of all LLC programs and report findings directly to the board, ensuring every program continues to meet student demand and deliver results.
On Wednesday, the board approved Ted Hanson ’91 to serve as its representative to the 10-member board of directors for Hokie Ventures, marking another significant step forward in the development of the university-affiliated nonprofit organization established earlier this year to strengthen the long-term growth and competitiveness of Virginia Tech Athletics.
The board consists of business executives, entrepreneurs, and university leaders whose collective experience will help advance Hokie Ventures' mission of creating new revenue opportunities, pursuing strategic investments, strengthening donor relations and building a modern enterprise positioned to support Virginia Tech Athletics in the rapidly evolving landscape of college sports.
Brad Hobbs ’90 will serve as chair of the board, while Hanson will serve as vice chair. Other Hokie Ventures board members include David Calhoun ’79; Brian Callaghan ’93; Lynne Doughtie ’85; John Lawson ’75; and Horacio Valeiras ’80. In addition, Sands, Wamsley, and Director of Athletics Brian White are on the board.
