Complete schedule of events for university's 2009 Day of Remembrance now set
April 16, 2008, remembrance activities
BLACKSBURG, Va., April 1, 2009 – The complete schedule of events for Virginia Tech's 2009 Day of Remembrance has been finalized.
Among the events are several “Expressions of Remembrance” programs scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, April 16, 2009. They include
- Images of Hope (1 to 5 p.m., Colonial Room, Squires Student Center): A digital exhibit of photographic images of hope and recovery will be on display. Members of the Virginia Tech community are invited to share their own hopeful images; submissions may be sent via e-mail to remembrance@vt.edu no later than Tuesday, April 7. These photos may have been taken at any time, not necessarily following the events of April 16, and each person may submit up to three images. Photographs will be selected for inclusion in the exhibit based on their alignment with the theme of hope and resilience.
- Reflection and Music (1 to 8 p.m., War Memorial Chapel): Musicians will perform to create a space for reflection and remembrance. Candles will be available to light in memory of lost loved ones.
- Video of the April 17, 2007 Convocation (1 to 5 p.m., Auditorium, Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown): A videotape of the convocation will be shown in its entirety throughout the afternoon.
- Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention and the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics Open House (3 to 5 p.m., Norris Hall): Guests may tour the center and learn more about the center’s mission to create and facilitate transdisciplinary research, education, and engagement opportunities that promote peace, prevent violence, and advance human security on a global scale.
- Dance/Performance (4 to 6 p.m., Burruss Auditorium): second annual “Remembrance Through Dance Performance: In Memory of Reema Samaha.” This is a free event, but tickets are required. Tickets may be picked up at the Squires Student Center ticket office, through will call, or online, click on “Other Events.” Doors open at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Contemporary Dance Ensemble website.
- Memorial Exhibit and Slide Show (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Holtzman Alumni Center): The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will display in the Alumni Museum selected memorial items presented to Virginia Tech in the days and weeks following April 16, 2007. A memorial slideshow, depicting images taken around the world that represented the outpouring of support after the tragedy, will be shown in Assembly Hall. Questions may be directed to the alumni association at (540) 231-6285; directions to the alumni center can be found online.
- Display of April 16 Archive Items (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Commonwealth Ballroom hallway and second floor atrium, Squires Student Center): View items sent to Virginia Tech in the days and weeks following the tragedy.
- Electronic Portfolios of Remembrance Projects (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Location information to be announced in the online We Remember event listing): View e-portfolios of service projects created by students, faculty, staff, and alumni in memory of those who lost their lives in April 2007. Additional major service projects will be featured. Explore the exhibit and learn how to get involved in these projects. Project coordinated by VT-ENGAGE and the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships.
In addition to these expressions of remembrance, the Day of Remembrance will feature other events throughout the day. A ceremonial candle will be lit early Thursday morning, at 12:01 a.m., at the April 16 Memorial. Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard by the candle during the entire day. The candle will be extinguished at 11:59 p.m.
The 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance will start at 8 a.m. The event is open to the public and preregistration is required.
At noon, a university-wide commemoration event will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial. The rain location is Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center. The program will recognize the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives that day with comments on the special qualities of each person read aloud. The Virginia Tech and extended community will be invited to bring a picnic lunch on the Drillfield following the ceremony.
At sundown (approximately 8 p.m.), a candlelight vigil will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial (rain or shine). The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will signal the start of the vigil with a Silent Drill. The event will be coordinated by Virginia Tech students representing a variety of student organizations. Following the candlelight vigil, candles will be collected to repurpose for the 2010 Day of Remembrance ceremonial candle.
For more information on the 2009 Day of Remembrance, contact the Office of Recovery and Support at (540) 231-0062.
- Mark Owczarski
- Assistant Vice President for News and Information
- 540-231-5223
- maowczar@vt.edu