A Note from Desk of Dean Sarker

As we draw the curtain on this semester and on 2023, I want to thank each one of you for welcoming me to the Pamplin family and helping me make Blacksburg my home. 

I also want to equally extend my deep appreciation for the many contributions you have made throughout the year in supporting Pamplin and the success of our students.

Fall Commencement is today, and I hope you will find an opportunity to congratulate our graduates who will be carrying the spirit of Ut Prosim into the next phase of their personal and professional lives. 

Please take this holiday season to spend time with friends and family, as well as to recharge and rejuvenate. 

The Dean’s office will be working remotely next week but we will be available to answer any questions or help with any issue, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MPZ0pHpDCkQ?feature=share

Saonee

Announcements

We invite you to submit nominations for the Alumni Award for Research and Excellence!

The Alumni Association established the Award for Research Excellence (AARE) in 1975 to promote research at Virginia Tech.  To achieve this purpose, the Alumni Association awards up to two Alumni Awards for Research Excellence to individuals (or research teams) who have reached a level of research achievement judged to be the most significant within the University.

Awards are made in two categories: (1) science or engineering and (2) social sciences, humanities, or arts. One award may be given in each category, and there may be no more than one awardee from a single major unit (college or institute) each year.  

Alumni Award recipients will be awarded $2000 and a plaque; awardees will be announced at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony. The deadline for nomination is January 31st, 2024. Additional information may be found here: VT's Research & Innovation.

DEIB is seeking a Teaching & Research FACULTY lead for the CROWN Bar Project!

The CROWN Bar Project is an effort led by the More Than A Fraction Foundation, a Foundation created by the descendants of one of the families who were enslaved at the Smithfield and Solitude plantations (which today is part of the Virginia Tech campus). Each year, they set out goals to not only inform the community of the history of Virginia Tech’s campus, but to assist (and in some instances lead) projects and initiatives that take into consideration the history of slavery, its modern-day effects, and how the legacy and passions of our ancestors extend beyond their direct family. More than A Fraction Foundation developed the CROWN Bar Project in response to the needs of Virginia Tech students of African descent to enhance access to hair care supplies and products. The goals of this project include: 1) Assist with the access of hair care supplies and products for the students, (2) Meet this need in a way that is sustainable and will provide educational opportunities. Please contact deib@vt.edu if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.

Contemplating a master's program or know someone who is? Explore the possibilities with our esteemed Pamplin programs! Whether you're aspiring to advance your career or know someone ready to take the next academic leap, discover the excellence of our master's and Ph.D. offerings. Don't forget, VT offers tuition benefits to make your educational aspirations more accessible.

Employee Spotlight

Each employee below has been submitted for this recognition by their colleagues. 

Zhang

Kudos to Cassy Kost, DEIB Specialist!

Cassy has completed two VT educational programs: Creating An Inclusive Climate and Safe Zone 101. Thank you for your commitment to continuous education and learning to acquire knowledge and skills to support the diverse populations we serve and to advance DEIB holistically!

Venkatesh

Kudos to Coral Rojas, DEIB Assistant Director for Outreach, Recruitment, and Pre-Collegiate Programs

Congratulations on the prospective student feedback acknowledging the impact you are making:

  • “A while back you helped me revise my short answer questions for the Virginia Tech application. I wanted to let you know that I was accepted into Virginia Tech! Yay! I also wanted to thank you again for all your help. Thank you so much for all you did for me including virtually meeting with me while you didn’t feel well. I really do appreciate it!”
  • “Thank you so much for meeting with me to review my application. It means a lot considering Virgina Tech is my dream school. Also, it shows to me the commitment you have in cultivating an outstanding incoming class. Thank you for your time to help me ensure I am taking all the right steps to turn in the strongest application possible.”  

Submit staff and faculty for upcoming issues here: Tracidb1@vt.edu

Upcoming Events

Blacksburg Master Chorale in “Messiah”

Sunday, December 17 2023 at 4:00pm

The New River Valley’s own Blacksburg Master Chorale is joined by a professional orchestra and soloists to present one of the most iconic works of the holiday season, Handel’s Messiah. You won’t want to miss the voices of more than 80 singers filling the Fife Theatre for the glorious and resounding Hallelujah Chorus.

Save the date for the Advancing Diversity Gathering 2024.

Add the Advancing Diversity Gathering to your calendars on January 10, 2024!

For more events, check out https://pamplin.vt.edu/events.html

Committee Corner

For a full list of committees, http://pampl.in/Committees

Extra Items

Remember the Holiday & Winter Closing Schedule: Information Here

Did you know?

Trivia about Pamplin and Virginia Tech.

Each edition we will ask a question about Pamplin. This will include trivia questions, historical details, or current events. The answer will be published in the next edition.

Dec 8th:   What shape is the Virginia Tech Bookstore?

  • The VT Bookstore is the shape of the state of Virginia.

Dec 15th: Who was the first student to register at Virginia Tech?

Check back next week to find out….. 

Check back next week to find out…..