A letter to Hokie Nation | Virginia Tech News

To Hokies in all places,

There is not any higher position in greater training than to function president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. With our dedication to service within the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), our engaged presence in each neighborhood within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our rising analysis influence throughout the globe, stewarding Virginia Tech as president over the past dozen years has been essentially the most fulfilling expertise of my profession. It is now time, whereas Virginia Tech has momentum on so many fronts, for me to begin the method of stepping apart in order that the subsequent president can take the baton in full stride. I’ve shared with the rector of the Board of Visitors my dedication to serve till my successor is in place to guarantee a clean transition for the college neighborhood.

Together, we now have remodeled Virginia Tech for the higher. Undergraduate enrollment has grown by 30 p.c, extramural analysis expenditures are up 70 p.c, our endowment has elevated by 185 p.c, our US News & World Report rating amongst nationwide universities has improved by 20 spots, and functions for undergraduate admission are up 200 p.c. I’m most proud that greater than 100,000 Hokies have earned their levels since I started in 2014. Our ambition to go additional is mirrored in our present priorities of Virginia Tech Advantage, Virginia Tech Global Distinctionand Invest to Win.

The late Nikki Giovanni, Hokie Nation’s world-renowned poet, so eloquently captured the Virginia Tech ethos when she mentioned, “We are better than we think and not quite what we want to be.” I’m assured that the subsequent president will lead us ahead with that very same spirit, new aspirations, and an incessant drive to advance Virginia Tech.

Laura and I’ll at all times be Hokies. We plan to keep rooted in Blacksburg as that is most positively dwelling.

Go Hokies!

Tim Sands
president