A lack of students during the summer is giving the campus a chance to reload with numerous construction projects.
University spokesman Mark Owczarski said the many construction projects show growth in the university as a whole.
"What that says is that Virginia Tech really is growing and growing well," Owczarski said. "Really in the last five to ten years, as the campus has changed, there have been a lot of alumni over the years who don't recognize the place."
He said new projects are a sign that quality of education and quality of life on campus are being improved.
"People believe in Virginia Tech," Owczarski said. "And as a result of that it's growing."
Graduate Life Center
Using funding from the Class of 2009 and the Class of 1959, Virginia Tech's Graduate School is adding a new public gathering place on campus.
Graduate Life Center Plaza and Amphitheater will soon occupy the space between the GLC, Squires Student Center and the University Bookstore.
Graduate School Dean Karen DePauw said the project is meant to make the GLC a center for campus activities.
"It is a space for people to interact, be part of the community," DePauw said. "Everyone will be able to use the area. Graduate Life Center just identifies the area. It's for everybody."
DePauw herself came up with the idea for the project. She "envisioned a different use of that space" and felt that it was previously not well used.
Students, faculty, and others who would like to put their name on the new amphitheater may purchase pavers.
These stones will be engraved with a message and made a part of the amphitheater itself.
Lynn Eichhorn, executive director of University Planning, Design and Construction, said the project would begin in August. Construction costs are estimated at $300,000.
The grand opening of the space is scheduled for October.
Shultz Hall
Shultz Hall is already surrounded by construction crews.
Eichhorn said the project is not the beginning of the arts center, but improvements to infrastructure.
She said the work at Shultz involves replacement of the main sewer line. The work has been coordinated with the plans for the Center for the Arts, but is independent of that project.
The project is scheduled for completion in early August.
Henderson Hall
Patty Raun, theatre department head, said the building would be showcased to the community in late October.
Leave a comment 0 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.