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2023 Student Send-Offs

people sitting a picnic table smiling

All across the country, Virginia Tech Alumni Chapters host Student Send-Offs to celebrate local students who are starting at Virginia Tech in the fall. This is a great opportunity to connect new students and their families to other new Hokies and the local alumni who support their chapter. It is a wonderful send-off to Hokie Nation!

Check back regularly for updates. 

  • Date: Sunday, July 30
  • Time: 12:30–3:30 p.m.
  • Location: 15 Romar Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403
  • Details: Please bring a dish to share. Barbeque and drinks provided. There will be Virginia Tech items to be raffled off for our scholarship.
  • RSVP: RSVP to boaksmith@comcast.net by Sunday, July 23.
  • Contact: Becky Oaksmith at boaksmith@comcast.net.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 17
  • Time: 3–5 p.m.
  • Location: Adams-Ricci Community Park in East Pennsboro Township, 100 East Penn Drive, Enola, PA 17025
  • Details: We will be at the Keystone.
  • RSVP: Register here.
  • Contact: Brenna Traver at traverb@vt.edu.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, June 25
  • Time: noon–2 p.m.
  • Location: The Johnson House
  • Details: Come join us for our annual Student Send-Off BBQ! We are having the event at the Johnsons' again, so don't forget your swimsuit! New and current students and their families are free to attend. There will be BBQ and sides (some beer will be provided but please BYOB), yard games, swimming, and, of course, we will be announcing this year's scholarship recipient! You don't want to miss out! Hope to see you there!
  • Price: New and current students and their families are free to attend. We are asking that all others contribute $10 towards the event (Venmo, Paypal, cash, etc. are all accepted.)
  • RSVP: Register here by Monday, June 19. Address will be shared in the confirmation email.
  • Contact: Caroline Johnson at chj1021@vt.edu.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Thursday, June 8
  • Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Timberwood Grill, 3311 Worth Crossing (across from Target), Charlottesville, VA 22911 
  • Details: Meet other first-year students and alumni from the Charlottesville area, hear from rising sophomores on how to have a successful first year, and learn all of the words to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica while jumping up and down. 
  • RSVP: Register here by Tuesday, June 6.
  • Contact: Martin Harar/Laura Leigh Scott at cvillehokiesscholarship@gmail.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Wednesday, Aug. 9
  • Time: 7-9 p.m.
  • Location: Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242
  • Details: Please plan to join fellow Hokie alum, current students, future students, family, and friends as we celebrate the summer and welcome/send off the newest batch of Hokies to Blacksburg. We will have ice cream and some non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Contact: Ryan Eifert at CincyHokies@gmail.com
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 24
  • Time: 1–3 p.m.
  • Location: River Rat Brewery, 1231 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Details: Wear something with Virginia Tech colors or something Virginia Tech related!
  • RSVP: Register here by Tuesday, June 20.
  • Contact: Dan Moore at colahokies@gmail.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 17
  • Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (come and go)
  • Location: Chicken N Pickle, 4600 Merlot Ave., Grapevine, TX 76051
  • Details: Don't forget your maroon and orange!
  • RSVP: RSVP to dfwhokies@gmail.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, June 4
  • Time: 4:30–7 p.m.
  • Location: Barking Rose Brewery, 9057 Old Culpeper Road, Warrenton, VA 20186
  • RSVP: Event is free. No RSVP required, but you can check our Facebook page for any updates.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, June 25
  • Time: 1–4 p.m.
  • Location: Glasgow Park, Pavilion 1, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702
  • Details: The chapter provides burgers, hot dogs, rolls, chips, water, and soft drinks. Please bring a dessert or another item to share.
  • Price: Virginia Tech Students and 2023 graduates are free. The cost for non-Virginia Tech students 11 and older is $9. Cash, checks payable to First State Chapter VTAA, and Venmo accepted the day at the event.
  • RSVP: Register here by Wednesday, June 21.
  • Contact: Howard G. Sholl, Jr at delawarehokies@gmail.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, June 11
  • Time: 2–4 p.m.
  • Location: Knights of Pythias Lodge 22, 330 Wallace Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
  • Details: It’s time to welcome the Virginia Tech Class of 2027! Join your fellow Hokies for our annual picnic and student send-off. We plan to meet at the Fredericksburg Knights of Pythias lodge to have a cookout, enjoy the start of summer, and connect with fellow Hokies in the area. The funds raised at the event will help support scholarships for local high school seniors entering Virginia Tech. In fact, we will be holding a drawing for a $500 scholarship for the recent graduates in attendance planning to enroll at Virginia Tech in the fall. Please register to attend so we can keep track of numbers. Help us welcome the newest members of Hokie Nation!
  • Price: Cash or check will be accepted the day of the event. Checks should be made out to the VTAA-Fredericksburg Chapter.  
    •  Adults (13 and up): $25
    • Children (6-12): $10
    • Children (5 and under), incoming first-year students, current Virginia Tech students, and Class of 2023 graduates: Free
  • RSVP: Register here by Sunday, June 4.
  • Contact: Addison Pock at apock89@vt.edu.
  • Chapter Information

 

  • Date: Saturday, June 3
  • Time: 11:30 a.m–1:30 p.m.
  • Location: Burnside Pavilion at Founders Park, 405 N. Campbell Station Road, Farragut, TN 37934
  • Details: This is a small outdoor pavilion just three minutes from the I-40 exit.
  • RSVP: Register here by Friday, May 26.
  • Contact: Fred Gibson at gibsofc@gmail.com or clkrause10@gmail.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, July 30
  • Time: 1–3 p.m.
  • Addtional Details: For location and to RSVP, please email Jill Heyman at jheyman03@yahoo.com at which time she will communicate the location of the event. 

  • Date: Thursday, June 22
  • Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Triad Park Field of Honor, Shelter 4 9652 W. Market St., Kernersville, NC 27284
  • Details: Join us and other Hokie families in welcoming the Virginia Tech Class of 2027 at our annual Student Send-Off picnic! We will recognize our 2023 scholarship recipients and give our best wishes to current and newly enrolled students from the area before they head off to Blacksburg for the fall semester. 
  • Price: $25 per person and includes dinner catered by Little Richard's BBQ, with proceeds benefiting the N.C. Triad Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Admission is free for students enrolled at Virginia Tech and children under 8.
  • RSVP: Register here by Monday, June 19.
  • Contact: Jim Goff at jgoff717@triad.rr.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 10
  • Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Location: Castle Island State Park, 2010 William J. Day Blvd., Boston, MA 02127
  • Details: Please join the New England chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association for a picnic to welcome our new class of Hokies. We will gather by the water at Castle Island State Park. Just look for the banners and the orange and maroon. Barbecue, sides, and soft drinks will be provided by the chapter. Those who'd like to bring a dessert or snack to share may do so. Bring a chair, hat, sun screen, and perhaps a windbreaker depending on the weather. And, of course, Hokie gear is strongly encouraged! Rain date (in case of severe weather) will be 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 11. 
  • RSVP: Register here by Sunday, June 4.
  • Contact: Jonathan Hirst at nehokies@gmail.com. 
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, June 11
  • Time: 2–5 p.m.
  • Location: Loantaka Brook Park, 468 South St., Morristown, NJ 07962
  • Details: Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket, wear your maroon and orange, and come to meet your fellow students hosted by your NJVTAA!
  • RSVP: Register here by Sunday, June 4.
  • Contact: Theda Blackwood at thedablackwood@gmail.com.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 24
  • Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Location: Cleveland Park Shelter 30, 150 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville, SC 29601
  • Details: Summer picnic and student sendoff. Will be catered BBQ event!
  • RSVP:  Register here by Monday, June 19.
  • Contact: Tyler Sites at tsites@vt.edu. 
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 24
  • Time: 1–3 p.m.
  • Location: War Memorial Stadium, 1889 W. Pembroke Ave., Hampton, VA 23661
  • Details: The event will be on the Pavilion deck at the War Memorial Stadium. There is an elevator at the front of the building to get up to the deck and a stairway on the end of the building to get up there too. There will be snacks, desserts, and drinks for the event there. We will also have a raffle of several Virginia Tech items. The cost for raffle tickets will be $1 for 1 ticket, $2 for three tickets, and $5 for eight tickets.
  • RSVP: Register here by Thursday, June 22.
  • Contact: Louise Schaeffler at weaze@vt.edu.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 24
  • Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Location: Kohler Park, 1013 Horsham Road, Ambler, PA 19002
  • Details: We will welcome new Philly Hokies with a special event for incoming students. Meet at the pavilion. $10 adults, $5 children, incoming students and dogs are free!
  • Contact: philadelphia.hokies@gmail.com for questions.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Saturday, June 3
  • Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Location: Robious Landing Park, Shelter #1, 3800 James River Road, Midlothian, VA 23113
  • Details: Welcome to Virginia Tech! The Richmond Hokies are excited to celebrate YOU and want to welcome you into the Virginia Tech family by inviting you to our Send-Off Picnic. Current students, young alumni, and other Richmond Hokie parents will be in attendance to answer any questions you may have about life at Virginia Tech. Lunch will be provided. Don't forget to wear your maroon and orange. We can't wait to see you and welcome you to Hokie Nation!
  • RSVP: Register here by Wednesday, May 24.
  • Contact: Steve Smith at president@richmondhokies.org.
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Sunday, June 25
  • Time: 1 p.m.
  • Location: Pittsfield Pavilion, 701 W. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
  • Details: Picnic and send-off. BYOB. Bring a dish to pass. Chapter will provide water, pop, and chips. Don't forget your Hokie apparel.
  • RSVP: RSVP to Shankar at shankarhokie@gmail.com. 
  • Chapter Information
  • Date: Tuesday, Aug. 1
  • Time: 5–8 p.m.
  • Location: New Hope Baptist Church, 255 Union Mill Road, La Crosse, VA 23950 (next to the new VCU CMH Hospital on Route 138)
  • Details: Join the Southside Chapter in welcoming the newest Southside Hokies, the Virginia Tech Class of 2027! Alumni, current students, and new students and their families are invited to attend. The chapter will also recognize the 2023 Southside Alumni Chapter Scholarship recipients. The event is free of charge with complimentary food and drinks provided. Please help spread the word and don't forget your maroon and orange!
  • RSVP: Register here by Saturday, July 29.
  • Chapter Information