Virginia Tech, Carilion Clinic partnership, athletics facilities improvements highlight board of visitors meeting
Leaders from Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic met Sunday and today to discuss with members of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors the growing partnership between the two organizations and the expanding university footprint in Roanoke to serve the region and the commonwealth.
On Sunday, the board learned more details of the partners’ vision for the Virginia Tech Carilion Health Sciences and Technology Campus in the Roanoke Innovation Corridor. And today, the board in turn passed a key resolution — an important next step — and voted to support an effort to fully integrate the academic and research missions of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine into Virginia Tech.
The integration process will take approximately two years to complete and it will result in the establishment of a ninth college at Virginia Tech. A full story on this is found in Virginia Tech News.
In other news, board members also approved resolutions for the demolition of Monteith and Thomas halls. The two residence halls, currently used for Corps of Cadet housing, will be unoccupied following the completion of a second new residence, which is all part of the plan to upgrade and improve the Upper Quad.
The board also approved several facility improvement projects in support of intercollegiate athletics. Those projects include a complete reconstruction of the school’s baseball facility, English Field at Union Park. Also included is a new hitting facility for the softball team and major enhancements and additions to Rector Field House, which will benefit not only the track and field programs, but also the lacrosse, soccer and softball teams.
Individual stories on these projects will run in Virginia Tech News starting Aug. 30.
The Academic Affairs Committee received updates on the new undergraduate degree programs in computational modeling and data analytics and neuroscience.
On Sunday, Theresa Meyer, vice president for research and innovation, spoke to the Research Committee on Virginia Tech’s global research profile, presenting data and information on how university’s research activities compare to research universities around the world.
The board recognized Professor Emeritus John Hosner with the additional tribute of “honorary founding dean” of the College of Natural Resources and Environment for his role in the establishment of the college as it marks its 25th anniversary.
In addition, eight individuals were honored with emerita or emeritus status, and seven faculty members received endowed professorships, fellowships, or chairs. Stories on each person will appear in Virginia Tech News beginning Wednesday, Aug 31.
The next full Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting will be held Nov. 6 and 7 in Blacksburg. More information on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors may be found online.
