Collegiate Times

Ut Prosim: That I May Serve. The mantra of this university finds its roots in a deep-seeded dedication to community service on a local, national and even global scale. As a student here, I feel empowered and I am grateful to be a part of an institution that prides itself on cultivating a passion for helping others in need. In times of tragedy beyond comprehension, Virginia Tech reaches within, where it finds an unprecedented camaraderie and kinship among peers, faculty and alumni. In an “anything goes,” “dog-eat-dog” society, it is that sense of community and loyalty that separates our university from those that foster the worldly values of bitter rivalry and relentless competition. 

At the heart of every Hokie is a desire to leave the world a better place than when he or she entered it. Whether expressed in small random acts of kindness or on a far larger scale, Hokies have forged a reputation of acceptance and empathy rather than the more common ideals of the world. From the Big Event, to the Clothesline Project, to Hokies for Haiti, Tech looks to help others find their way back from hardship no matter how much time, money and energy we have to expend in the process.

As we venture into the professional arenas of engineering, business, law, medicine, architecture, etc., I hope we can maintain our unique ability to find joy in helping others survive, thrive and succeed, while also pursuing our own dreams.

Graduates from this university find their time divided between demanding classes and equally important community service projects that run the gamut from volunteering at the animal shelter to joining the Peace Corps. My hope for every Hokie is this: 10, 20, and even 30 years from now, when you find yourself consumed by the stresses of everyday, think of those whose worries are insurmountable and continue volunteering to make their lives better. 

As humans, we are innately selfish and are consumed by the daily toils of our lives. Yet, when put in perspective, our problems rarely contend with those of the person in another country or even next door. Here at Tech, tradition suggests that we make community service a large part of our lives; unfortunately, when we add to the mix a family, a career and all the responsibility that accompanies such ingredients, it becomes easy to lose sight of the activities in which we found meaning and fulfillment. Our mission as graduates from this university is to impart on the world not only the textbook knowledge we acquire during our four years, but also the life lessons we learn along the way. 

In the words of Aesop, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” One small act of kindness performed by a Hokie can help to re-teach the world that our lives are only worth the legacy of service we leave behind. In the end, what people remember is not the letters behind your last name or how many articles you’ve published, but how you spent your time improving the conditions of others. Pursue your dreams, but do not forget what Tech has taught us. Let’s spread the true spirit of Hokie Nation to all corners of the world.

A version of this article appeared in the Feb 16 issue of the Collegiate Times.