Collegiate Times

In 1964, the Corps of Cadets became optional for all male students at the school. In the same year, the university reorganized itself into colleges: Engineering, Agriculture, Business, Home Economics, Architecture, and Arts and Sciences. William Walker Lewis became Tech's first Rhodes Scholar in 1964 as well.

The year 1965 marked a monumental time in Tech's athletic history, as both Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum were completed.

In 1966, cadets and civilians both first established the Student Government Organization at the school.

In 1970, the school officially changed its name to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

In 1973, the Corps of Cadets admitted its first females, a landmark for the institution.

Seven years later, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine held its first classes.

As for the town of Blacksburg, it too has a very rich history, with a few buildings in particular with long-standing memories.

The Lyric Theater at its current location in downtown Blacksburg opened in 1930 and is perhaps the most prominent feature of the town. At that time, it featured state-of-the-art equipment and was one of the very first theaters in the state of Virginia to show films with sound.

With new theaters opening in the area and technology for home videos rapidly improving, the Lyric closed in 1989, and served as a classroom and Democratic Party headquarters until 1994, when a group known as the Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg came together in determination to re-open the Lyric.

In 1996, the Lyric re-opened, and for two years served business again. It underwent a major renovation in March 1998 that forced it to close for seven months. Since its third re-opening, the theater has served as a non-profit theater and community center.

Some of the other historical staples of Blacksburg include Steppin' Out, an annual street festival in downtown the first Friday and Saturday of August. It began in 1976 as the Deadwood Days Summer Festival.

In 1980 it became known as Steppin' Out. The festival features over 150 artists and crafts people from around the United States. Merchants line the streets of downtown with the most unique items for sale, and the music scene has really grown for the event over recent years.

In 1982, the Draper Mile Run was added for runners of all ages, and it is always held the first evening of the festival.

It is one of the most highly anticipated events in Blacksburg every year, and attracts people from all over America to come and enjoy the town at its finest.

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