Hokie women got together for a weekend of community at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus, hosted by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association.

“We wanted a way to connect more women with the university,” Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Debbie Day said.

Day, alongside colleagues within Advancement and cross-campus partners, including the Division of Student Affairs and Athletics, planned Women’s Weekend for about a year. The university's Student Alumni Associates volunteered at the event.

On Friday, the women checked in at The Inn at Virginia Tech to kick off the weekend. Women with any connection to Virginia Tech were welcomed.

“It’s open to anyone. Not just alums. It’s focused on women who love Virginia Tech,” Day said.

Jennie Hamm graduated in 1982 with a degree in architecture. She remembers her time at Virginia Tech as fun and busy.

“I did everything I possibly could, much to the chagrin to my architecture professors,” Hamm said. “I enjoyed every minute of it.”

As part of the first day's events of the weekend, Hokie women spent time at artist P. Buckley Moss' art studio in Blacksburg.
As part of the first day's events of the weekend, Hokie women spent time at artist P. Buckley Moss' (right) art studio in Blacksburg.

The schedule for the weekend included panels with guest speakers and breakout sessions on mindfulness and communication.

“There’s social events, there are professional [and] personal development [events], and just hearing from incredibly successful women who are Virginia Tech alumnae,” Day said. "Part of it’s for fun. Part of it’s to connect with the university, to connect with each other. So they learned about what’s going on with Virginia Tech and about themselves,” Day said.

Hamm heard about the event from college friends who had been attending Women’s Weekend for several years. She was excited to join them.

“I was looking for two things: to have some fun and to connect with some people,” Hamm said.

The weekend concluded with a session by Rosemary Blieszner, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and alumni distinguished professor, called “The Importance of Friendship.” President Tim Sands and Laura Sands held a farewell brunch in Lane Stadium.

Written by Olivia Coleman

Seniors Kelsey Rosenbaum (left) and Alexa Amster manned the check-in table for Women's Weekend as part of the Student Alumni Association.
Seniors Kelsey Rosenbaum (left) and Alexa Amster, representing the Student Alumni Association, tended the check-in table for Women's Weekend.

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