Virginia Tech’s official motto, “Ut Prosim — That I May Serve,” was adopted in 1896 under the leadership of President McBryde. This was the same year our well-known school colors were selected, which identify us around the world.
Our goal should be to become equally well known for the way we actively live out our motto by serving others.
In response to this goal, the university established the full-scale volunteer program VT-ENGAGE in October of 2007. VT-ENGAGE is now a part of the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships, which was established about a year later.
One of the easiest ways to get involved with service is to utilize the VT-ENGAGE website. You can find current volunteer needs on the VT-ENGAGE home page, and we also recommend that you use the Volunteer Solutions website link provided to find a volunteer opportunity posted through the United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd. There are also links to national websites for finding volunteer opportunities.
On the volunteer solutions website, there is a special tool that lets you take a survey about your volunteer interests. You can sign up to automatically receive an email whenever a volunteer opportunity related to your interests is available. It’s an excellent matching tool to successfully pair volunteers up with volunteer needs.
We hope you take about five minutes of your time to connect to this email alert program by going to http://www.engage.vt.edu.
You are especially encouraged and invited to attend Gobblerfest on Friday, August 27th. At this event, area non-profits and student organizations will be seeking volunteers to meet their program needs throughout the year.
Gobblerfest is a fun event that welcomes you to campus. You can discover organizations to join or to volunteer with, have fun playing games and listen to some great music — all for free.
The event will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. outside Squires and in downtown Blacksburg. Other free events are being provided for students into the early morning hours in Squires.
Both at Gobblerfest and on the VT-ENGAGE website, you can elect to participate in a brand new program sponsored by the student planning committee for April 16th. This new service initiative is called “32 for 32.” Participants are asked to perform 32 hours of service to honor the 32 people we lost on April 16, 2007. You can pledge and record your 32 hours of service on the VT-ENGAGE website. We will showcase the types of service students have done as part of this program on April 16, 2011.
We encourage students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to participate and support this major service effort all around the globe.
This year we are also having our first annual Fall Day of Service. In cooperation with Blacksburg United Methodist Church and many generous sponsors, we will be packing rice as a “Stop Hunger Now” event to benefit Haiti.
Student members of our Greek housing community will also be participating in a community-wide service project called Greeks Give Back on that same day — it is a huge day of service!
As a Hokie, you will always want to look for ways to serve others. Organized opportunities are provided for you all throughout the year. We have major service projects in April such as the Big Event and Relay for Life.
In addition to established events, you can always create your own service event. Simply look for a need in the community and find other people willing to help.
VT-ENGAGE can also help you recruit volunteers. If you need resources such as tools or transportation, VT-ENGAGE and CSECP are here to help you find those resources.
It is up to you to decide how you will join us in actively living out our motto as a true Hokie, both as a student and throughout the rest of your life.
