Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Office for Diversity and Inclusion to hold Black Alumni Reunion on March 18-21

Linda Edmonds Turner

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 11, 2010 – The Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion will host the Black Alumni Reunion at the Virginia Tech campus on March 18-21.

The 2010 Black Alumni Reunion weekend, which is held every three years, is filled with alumni and student events that aim to provide current students with a historical perspective on African American student life at Virginia Tech as well as networking and mentoring opportunities with successful alumni from many different career fields.

The weekend begins on Thursday with a welcome reception at the Holtzman Alumni Center where everyone can gather. Events, planned throughout the weekend, include career and professional development sessions, where alumni can learn how to maximize their Virginia Tech degree and speak with other black alumni who have excelled to the top of their career fields.

The career and professional development sessions are scheduled for Friday, March 19 from 9-11 a.m., are intended for participants of all age groups, and will cover topics about taking your career to the next level, building wealth in tough economic times, and entrepreneurial endeavors. The first session, “How to Kick Start Your Career,” will be presented by Christina Brogdon, Class of 1993; the second session, “Business Empowerment Workshop,” will be presented by Bob Holloman, Class of 1986.

A career resource fair will be held March 19 from 3-5 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom of Squires Student Center. Alumni will be present to represent their companies and career fields while speaking about career strategies.

Other events include

• Alumni and Student Lunch: Alumni will gather with current students at D2 in Dietrick Hall on March 19 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Reception hosted by Virginia Tech Athletics: Join current and former Virginia Tech athletes to mingle with friends and dance.
• Overton R. Johnson Stepshow: This historical stepshow will showcase the university’s black Fraternities and Sororities.
• Open Forum: The forum will include a student panel; diversity update and question and answer session Karen Sanders, vice president for the Office for Diversity and Inclusion; and an Alumni Association presentation
• Black Pioneers Lunch: Students and alumni are invited to attend lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Linda Edmonds Turner, one of the university’s first female African American students, will give the keynote address.

A banquet dinner scheduled for Saturday, March 20, will include a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and a program saluting some influential alumni members. The reunion will end with a Sunday farewell celebration and memorial service with The Gospel Experience, the Enlighten Gospel Choir, alumni ministers, and evangelists.

For more information, contact Laurie Brogdon at (540) 231-6285. Find a schedule and register online.

• Melissa Vidmar
• Media & Communication Mgr--CRC
• 540-231-5396
• vtnews@vt.edu