Tim Sands highlights progress, priorities, and athletics push in State of the University Address

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:26:00 -0500

During his 10th State of the University Address on Wednesday, Sands said the university will continue to focus on global distinction and Virginia Tech Advantage while also moving athletics to the forefront of priorities. He also said that the university could face challenges this year and is making contingency plans in preparation for those challenges.

Q&A with President Tim Sands

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:51:00 -0500

President Tim Sands marks 10 years at Virginia Tech

Thu, 30 May 2024 10:13:00 -0400

Sands began his tenure at Virginia Tech on June 1, 2014.

City of Alexandria formally commends Virginia Tech on reaching 150 years

The City of Alexandria, represented by Mayor Justin Wilson, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, and members of the Alexandria City Council, formalized a proclamation to commend Virginia Tech on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The special event was held at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus headquarters in Potomac Yard.

In Conversation: Post-Pandemic Leadership and Engagement

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Washington State President Kirk Schulz, a Virginia Tech alumnus, share their thoughts on higher education. In part three of this on-on-one conversation, the two discuss being leaders in higher education in a post-pandemic world.

In Conversation: Research Collaborations

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Washington State President Kirk Schulz, a Virginia Tech alumnus, share their thoughts on higher education. In part two of this on-on-one conversation, the two discuss collaborating on research opportunities.

In Conversation: The Modern Land-Grant Mission

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Washington State President Kirk Schulz, a Virginia Tech alumnus, share their thoughts on higher education. In part one of this on-on-one conversation, the two discuss the importance of the land-grant mission.

June 15 Town Hall: President Sands highlights impact of a vaccinated community

In a town hall conversation on June 15, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands shares the impact a more fully vaccinated campus community will have on the in-person experience.

Virginia Tech breaks ground on first building of Global Business and Analytics Complex

Virginia Tech leaders celebrate breaking ground on the first building of the Global Business and Analytics Complex.

Presidents Pickleball match showcases the new Rec Sports Field House

Tracy Vosburgh, Senior Associate Vice President for University Relations, challenged President Tim Sands and Frank Shushok, Vice President for Student Affairs, to a game of Pickleball at the newly built Rec Sports Field House.

A community update from President Tim Sands

A community message of thanks to the Hokie Nation as we manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Transcript: In my life experience, when we faced a national emergency, we've been able to come together as family, friends, communities, and as a nation to support each other.With COVID-19, coming together physically is not an option. That makes this crisis much different than anything we've faced in generations. Today we're supporting our fellow Hokies and our community by respecting social distance. In doing so, we protect the most vulnerable among us and safeguard our healthcare system. To our employees who keep our critical infrastructure open and operating, thank you. To our students, you are about to experience a completely different version of a Virginia Tech education, entirely online. The things we'll learn in this new environment will prepare us for the future.To our graduating seniors, your time at Virginia Tech is coming to an end in a way that none of us envisioned. As the picture becomes clearer we'll update you on commencement and summer opportunities to come back to campus. As Virginia Tech graduates, you will always be Hokies.Your degree is just the beginning of your life in the Hokie community. To our faculty, teaching assistants and academic advisors, thank you for taking on the extraordinary challenge of moving Virginia Tech online. To our researchers, I know you're working hard to maintain the continuity of the research enterprise. Nothing can diminish the connections we have to each other and as a community committed to service and each other. We have the opportunity to think ahead to a post COVID-19 world. I have the greatest confidence in your ability to be strong, resilient, responsible, and kind. I look forward to the time when we can come together once again as a community, face to face. Thank you.

Docs for Morgan 2020

The eighth annual Docs for Morgan charity basketball game was full of excitement. The faculty doctor team had won the last three years, but the students broke the streak this year, winning 67 to 59. There was a special guest player this year, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands, who split his time between both teams. The HokieBird also made an appearance to get the crowd fired up. Donations were taken to support the Morgan Dana Harrington Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

Advancing Diversity Mid-Year Summit

More than 100 stakeholders from around the University, attended the Advancing Diversity Mid-Year Summit. Abigail Stewart, professor of Psychology and Women's Studies at the University of Michigan, was invited to give her expertise on importance of inclusion and diversity on college campuses. Virginia Tech President Tim Sands delivered opening remarks. The InclusiveVT event also included panel discussions, poster exhibits, and workshops for participants.

President Sands 'Grand Marshal' of Scottish Walk Parade in Alexandria

University President Tim Sands was grand marshal of the annual Alexandria Scottish Walk Parade through Old Town Alexandria. Sands was joined by graduate students who passed out candy to people along the parade route. Many enthusiastic Hokies greeted Sands as he went by.

President Sands speaks on the Innovation Campus at ULI Fall Meeting

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands speaks on a panel at the ULI Fall Meeting about how Amazon searching for a new headquarters acted as a catalyst for the Innovation Campus.

Sights and sounds from the regional forum hosted by Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic

On Thursday, Sept. 12, 97 government officials settled into the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine auditorium in Roanoke for a first-of-its-kind joint regional public forum. Governments from more than 20 localities spanning the New River Valley and Roanoke-Alleghany Valley were represented.

State of the University 2019 Highlights

Highlights from the Virginia Tech State of the University address on September 6th, 2019. Presented by President Tim Sands.

President Tim Sands helps new, returning Hokies move in

Hundreds of Hokie Helpers, dressed in their signature blue shirts, welcomed new and returning students to their Virginia Tech residence halls. President Tim Sands and Laura P. Sands surprised some unsuspecting students and parents to help with their move-in.

President Tim Sands remarks on Virginia Tech receiving award for Excellence in Counterintelligence

August 19th 2019 - President Tim Sands speaks on behalf of Virginia Tech, receiving the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's (DCSA) 2018 Excellence in Counterintelligence award. The award is presented to companies and institutions, that provide the highest standards of counterintelligence. The recipient supports the U.S. government through cooperation in efforts to thwart the theft of sensitive or classified U.S. information and technology by foreign entities. The award was presented by Carrie L. Wibben, Deputy Director of the DCSA.

Location announced for Innovation Campus

On Monday in Alexandria — in front of a room packed with media and community, business, and political leaders — President Tim Sands announced plans to build Virginia Tech’s 1-million-square-foot graduate campus in the city as part of a new mixed-use development in National Landing.

2019 Undergraduate Spring Commencement

A little rain delayed the ceremony but graduates celebrated the end of their undergraduate careers in Lane Stadium on May 17, 2019.

'Hokies on the Hill' practice politics through undergrad program

Hokies on the Hill, a group of Virginia Tech undergraduates, wrap up a semester working on Capitol Hill. They have an opportunity to earn credit for a full-time course load and gain real-world experience while learning about the U.S. Congress and politics. The program is administered through the Virginia Tech Office of Government Relations in the National Capital Region.

President Sands joins panel discussion on Amazon HQ2

President Tim Sands joins economic development leaders from across the Commonwealth to talk about Amazon HQ2, how we got there and how the rest of Virginia’s cities benefit. The panel discussion took place at the annual Tom Tom Summit & Festival in Charlottesville, April 12.

President Tim Sands discusses impact of Innovation Campus

Virginia Tech’s bold decision to create the Innovation Campus is keeping with its longstanding emphasis on promoting economic development across the commonwealth as part of its land-grant mission. President Tim Sands shares how the campus will be transformative for the Blacksburg campus as well.

President Tim Sands delivers Giving Day thank you

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands delivers a special thank you to Hokies after alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends came together in 24 hours to make a joint impact on the future of Virginia Tech. Giving Day 2019 raised more than $2.8 million from more 6,600 donors.

Statewide tour offers insight into Virginia Tech extension research locations

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands, members of the Board of Visitors, and other university leaders tour more than a dozen university facilities located across the commonwealth. The Agricultural Research and Extension Centers conduct research at each of the unique locations.

Growley II Gives Out Valentines

For Valentine's Day, Growley II, canine ambassador for the Corps of Cadets, took to campus to hand out lollipops and show some Hokie love. He even made his way to Burruss Hall to wish President Tim Sands a Happy Valentine's Day.

Fall 2018 University Commencement

Virginia Tech's Fall 2018 University Commencement Ceremony, held Dec. 14 in Cassell Coliseum, recognized 1,380 undergraduates.

A historic gift: Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC

A historic announcement is made as the Fralin family donates $50 million to the newly named Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. President Tim Sands, Executive Director Michael J. Friedlander, and Heywood Fralin, all talk about the biggest gift in Virginia Tech's existence.

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC: President Sands message

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands thanks donor Heywood Fralin for his historic gift to the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC: President Sands

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands describes the impact of the largest gift in the university's history given by Heywood and Cynthia Fralin.

Virginia Tech's historic commitment

Virginia emerged as a winner in the fierce nationwide competition to house a headquarters for Amazon. The commonwealth stepped up with a standout higher education package, including a new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Alexandria, which will be located less than two miles from Amazon’s new location in Arlington.

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Announcement

President Tim Sands and College of Engineering Dean Julia Ross joined officials at the site of Virginia Tech's new Innovation Campus on Nov. 13.

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus: President Tim Sands

President Tim Sands speaks on the historic announcement of Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus.

A conversation with President Tim Sands on the Innovation Campus

The announcement of the Innovation Campus defines a pivotal moment in Virginia Tech's history. Watch as President Tim Sands discusses this once-in-a-generation opportunity with Dawn Jefferies.

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands talks about the value of Virginia Tech's unique footprint in engaging partners

Dawn Jefferies catches up with President Tim Sands at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab to talk about interdisciplinary research in Blacksburg, Roanoke, Northern Virginia and across the Commonwealth.

Virginia Gov. Northam briefed on VTCRI biomedical research

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam received an update on cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial efforts at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute in Roanoke on Oct. 2. In attendance were VTCRI Executive Director Michael Friedlander, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands, and Heywood Fralin of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

A construction milestone for Virginia Tech Carilion Biomedical Research

On Friday, September 28, Virginia Tech leadership gathered in Roanoke with leaders from Carilion Clinic and the City of Roanoke to mark a construction milestone in the expansion of the Virginia Tech Carilion Biomedical Research Addition.

2018 State of the University Address

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands delivered third State of the University Address on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. Read the full story.

2018 Welcome Message

President Tim Sands welcomes students, faculty and staff to a new year at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech Police Lip Sync Challenge

Are you ready? Start jumping! Here is the Virginia Tech Police Department's Lip Sync Challenge effort. Radford University Police Department, are you up to the challenge?

Hokie Roller - President Sands

President Sands caught a ride on the Hokie Roller this week to talk about commencement. He also gave some advice to the students graduating. His words may be meant for the seniors, but every Hokie can apply them.

InclusiveVT Town Hall

On May 3, President Tim Sands and Vice President for Strategic Affairs Menah Pratt-Clarke held a town hall event on inclusion and diversity initiatives at Virginia Tech.

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