Architect's Rendering of Memorial
BLACKSBURG, Va., July 25, 2007 – To coincide with the start of the new academic year, Virginia Tech will dedicate the memorial to the victims of April 16 on Sunday, Aug. 19 at noon. At the conclusion of the event, President Charles W. Steger will dedicate the new memorial site.
"Our new academic year begins the next day, and we thought it fitting to have the ceremony when the entire university community, including families of students, could be together. This is a milestone along the path to healing for the university community and our extended family," said Steger.
All members of the Virginia Tech community and general public are welcome to attend.
In June, Virginia Tech announced it would construct a memorial to replace the temporary version placed in the days following April 16 by the student group, Hokies United. The memorial is located in the same location as the temporary site, and reflects the arc contained in the ad hoc version, with 32 substantial engraved Hokie Stones in a semi-circle in front of the Drillfield viewing stand near Burruss Hall.
The memorial consists of upright Hokie Stones etched with the names of each deceased victim, embedded in an arc of crushed gravel, and surrounded by a walking path for viewing. Construction began in June and will be completed by mid August.
The stones from the temporary memorial will be offered to the families after completion of the memorial.
The specific program of the dedication ceremony will be announced at a later date. Information as it becomes available will be posted to the Virginia Tech News website and the university homepage.