Welcome Back Mixer triples in size, brings veterinary college together celebrating the new semester
Saturday's Welcome Back Mixer proved that good things happen when you build them:
More than 140 students, faculty, alumni, and staff gathered in the veterinary college’s grove, tripling last year's attendance and creating the kind of buzz that makes a community feel alive.
The late afternoon event kicked off the fall semester with food, activities, and the sort of genuine connections that matter long after graduation.
Why this mattered
"This event was an opportunity for students to connect with one another and have fun as they prepared for the semester ahead," said Jasmine Bryant, director of alumni and practitioner relations for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. "We wanted them to come together and get to know Virginia Tech and the veterinary college in a relaxed, enjoyable setting."
The mixer plays an important role in helping all students feel fully connected to the broader Virginia Tech experience.
"We want every student to feel that sense of ‘Hokie’ home and belonging when they're here," Bryant explained. "We gave away tickets to football games so they could experience the full Virginia Tech spirit and be part of the larger university community, not just our corner of campus."
What students are saying
Class of 2028 DVM student Jillian Henok gets it: "I think it's important because just being able to reconnect with professors, reconnect with your fellow colleagues and your year, and then same for the first-years. It's a great way to really bond and kind of get to know people outside of school, and before we go back into the trenches."
Missing last year's inaugural event made this one even sweeter for Henok. "It's been amazing so far," she said. "Shout out to everyone who hosted this! So grateful to have such a great community within our vet school that really fosters that family program."
What's next
The math is simple: When students feel connected to their college community, everyone wins.
These relationships become the foundation for lifelong professional networks, mentorship circles, and collaborative opportunities that benefit veterinarians throughout their careers. And with triple the attendance, the message is clear — this community wants more opportunities to connect.
"Be on the lookout for more events. We want to do these more often if we can, and strong attendance gives us reason to expand our offerings," Bryant says. "We're always looking for new, exciting ways to get our students more involved and more engaged."
Because the best professional networks? They start with genuine community.
