Dining Services hosts Oyster Day

On Wednesday afternoon, Virginia Tech Dining Services teamed up with the Rappahannock Oyster Company to host the school's sixth annual Oyster Day at the university's West End dining hall. A variety of fresh oysters were served to students, bringing a taste of the bay to Blacksburg. One student reflected on the experience, saying, 'When you come to Tech and you go, oh yeah, I had my first oyster at Virginia Tech, not many people can say that. It's pretty cool to think about.' While enjoying fresh East Coast oysters was the main attraction, Oyster Day also offered students the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of aquaculture, also known as fish farming. Staff from the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research Center helped students understand the value of sustainable aquaculture and how they might find a path into this lesser-known field. One staff member noted, 'There's a world of new opportunities for students to get into the field. They can create their own niche within it, depending on whether they're more food safety, bioprocessing, or engineering focused.' For some students, the event was more than educational—it was personal. Will Townsend, who grew up dredging oysters, shared that the experience brought him a slice of home despite being hundreds of miles away. 'That makes me want to come back to Tech,' he said. 'It makes me think that Tech really cares about me, and everything that they do somehow brings back what I'm doing at home.' Virginia Tech Dining Services hopes to continue the annual event for years to come. Reporting in Blacksburg, I'm Jacob Jenkins.