The time that has passed since the events of April 16 have been full of reflection and regrouping, during which the Virginia Tech community has had a chance to reevaluate its mission in life, as well as the legacy that we and our school will leave behind.
Like so many efforts since that day to help students and the community recover and repair, the new program VT Engage is encouraging students to work together, along with their families and all community members, to help heal and memorialize those who were lost. What makes VT Engage unique is the opportunity it provides participants to make a positive impact in the name of our school and our community, by redefining our motto, 'Ut Prosim,' as well as the chance to move forward, and turn grief into something positive.
"The mission of VT Engage is to encourage and facilitate community service. It will connect the university with the community to help meet the needs of volunteer groups on campus and in the community at large," said Karen Gilbert, the coordinator of VT Engage.
The VT Engage program is a community-wide service initiative whose goal is to reach 600,000 hours of community service by April 16, 2008 in honor of the victims of the tragedy.
Members of the university community, Tech alumni and even family and friends of Virginia Tech are encouraged to pledge as many community service hours as they think they can fulfill in the memory of those lost on April 16.
"Imagine the power of 600,000 hours of community service," university spokesman Mark McNamee said in a statement announcing the initiative. "We can truly make a significant difference in communities around the world. We also hope other colleges and universities in the United States and abroad will join us by volunteering to honor the exemplary individuals we lost."
"The most important thing about (VT Engage) is the mission, and there is essentially a two-pronged mission," said Susan Felker, communications manager for Outreach and International Affairs and member of the steering committee for VT Engage representing university relations.
"First of all is to honor those we lost on April 16, many of whom were deeply committed to community service. Just reading their biographies, it was amazing what some of them had done at such a young age. "Secondly, we want to rededicate ourselves to the university's motto, 'Ut Prosim,' and work on reviving that spirit of service to society that has been a part of Virginia Tech since its founding."
The initial goal of the program was for Tech students, faculty and staff to complete 300,000 hours of community service by the goal date. However, the Virginia Tech Alumni Association executive committee also decided to extend the challenge to its members, as well as Tech alumni all over the world, asking them to match the outreach with another 300,000 hours.
The initiative estimates that if each member of the community pledges at least 10 hours of community service before the goal date, it should be no problem to reach the goal and beyond.
In order to organize the program and help match volunteers with the right kind of service for them, whether it is community service, service-learning, or another volunteer opportunity, VT Engage has established a Web site (www.engage.vt.edu) that has information for potential volunteers.
On that Web site, students can log and keep track of their volunteer hours, and post information about their experiences if they wish to share their stories.
The Web site also has registration forms for service groups who are looking to recruit volunteers through VT Engage and/or set up a booth at the Drillfield kickoff.
There are countless ways to get involved with the program, and the organizers want to stress that no matter who or where volunteers are, they can get involved.
"You can participate as an individual, you can participate as a group, and that doesn't mean it has to be a formal student group, just a group you decide to volunteer with," Gilbert said. "Another way that students can use VT Engage is to recruit volunteers for things they're already doing."
"VT Engage is there as a connector between groups and volunteers and assistants who are looking for a way to serve their community," Gilbert said. "As of right now, we have 60 service groups (registered to participate in VT Engage) and that number is still growing."
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As an American (born in an East Asian country), I felt particularly bad about the tragedy. Jotting down this note is an expression of my trust in our will of forgiveness and recovery.
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