2007 Black Alumni Reunion
7th Black Alumni Reunion
March 16-18, 2007
The 7th Black Alumni Reunion turned out to be a tremendous time of rekindling old relationships, and establishing new ones for the more than 250 Black alumni who made the return trip to Blacksburg. It all started with a dessert reception as all watched the Hokies come from behind last minute victory over Illinois in the first round basketball game of the NCAA Tournament. Hokie Fever was now high pitched.
The next morning the alumni attended breakfasts hosted by their respective colleges. The college breakfasts served as the appetizer to the interactive forum which was a discussion of how the alumni could better help Virginia Tech in many areas, particularly recruitment and the campus environment. The line for alumni waiting to share their comments and propose questions trailed out the door into the hallway of the ballroom. Vera Turner '83 was the moderator and guided a panel of university leaders to provide excellent updates on the progress of Black relations at Virginia Tech.
The forum seemed to give everyone an appetite, which was amply satisfied at the luncheon in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Black Cultural Center. A video history covering its first 15 years was presented. So many afros ago.
Then it was time for action as the Overton R. Johnson Step Show took center stage in the Squires. The action was high paced and everyone seemed to enjoy the show. The first place prizes for the step show were donated by the newly formed Multicultural Alumni Advisory Board. It's chairman, Dr. Calvin D. Jamison '77, '81, '88 presented the awards and provided historical background on the inception of this great Virginia Tech tradition.
The evening culminated with the banquet and dancing. A new video tape depicting Black Alumni speaking about their years of matriculation across the drill field was presented. And, if you listen carefully you can still hear the echoes of Nikki Giovanni's charge to the alumni to handle their business as Virginia Tech alumni and not risk someone else handling it for them. It was the basis of Student Empowerment: Lean On Me!