Virginia Tech will celebrate Homecoming Oct. 14-19. with activities for students, alumni, community members, and friends.

The festivities begin Oct. 14 with the Campfire Kickoff and Sankofa Cultural Showcase. At the kickoff students can meet the Homecoming Court, enjoy food, and listen to musical performances from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Duck Pond amphitheater. The Sankofa Cultural Showcase will be held at 7 p.m. in the Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room.

On Oct. 15, the Black Cultural Center will host the Black Liberation Talk with Camille Brown at 6:30 p.m. Brown is a prolific Black female choreographer. Her bold work taps into both ancestral stories and contemporary culture to capture a range of personal experiences. She will also perform Oct. 16 at the Moss Arts Center.

Also on Oct. 15, Homecoming’s Got Talent will return to Squires Haymarket Theatre from 6 to 8 p.m., where the court will showcase their talents to students and a panel of campus celebrity judges. This is also an opportunity for candidates to promote their chosen service platform — a cause in support of the campus and greater community they will champion to spread education and awareness.

Senior Rachel Muscher, who is majoring in political science and is the Homecoming Board president, said the competition focuses on platforms instead of popularity, to celebrate what it means to be a Hokie and embrace Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

“Throughout the week, the Homecoming Court candidates are campaigning on their platforms and telling the campus about them,” explained Muscher. “At the end of the week, when voting is done, the chosen royalty each get $1,000 toward putting on an event in spring that supports their cause.”

Voting will take place from Oct. 14 at 12:01 a.m. to Oct. 18 at 11:45 p.m. Students can vote online via GobblerConnect. Winners will be announced during halftime at the Homecoming football game vs. North Carolina.

Two reunions and a Homecoming tailgate are planned for alumni.

The Class of 1969 will celebrate its 50th Reunion at Homecoming and be inducted into Virginia Tech's Old Guard Society of Golden Alumni. The Old Guard includes alumni who have graduated 50 or more years ago and represents the university’s most respected and passionate Hokies.

The Highty-Tighty Alumni Reunion also takes place during Homecoming, and Highty-Tighty alumni will march in the Homecoming parade and perform at the football pregame show with current Highty-Tighties.

The parade is at 9 a.m. Oct. 19 and will be followed by the Homecoming Tailgate at the Holtzman Alumni Center.

As part of the tailgate, the Class of 1969 and various colleges, groups, and schools below are hosting individual tents to gather alumni and friends:

  • College of Architecture and Urban Studies
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Natural Resources and Environment
  • Graduate School
  • Sankofa
  • Virginia Tech Union’s 50th Anniversary

To learn more and to see a complete listing of Homecoming events, visit alumni.vt.edu/homecoming. Events are open to the community. Registration is required for the tailgate and reunions.

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