Because of the university’s ongoing commitment to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the members of our extended community, Virginia Tech will alter its 2021 Day of Remembrance events to promote physical distancing and discourage large public gatherings.
On the Day of Remembrance, to be held on Friday, April 16, all members of the Virginia Tech community will be encouraged to pause and honor the 32 individuals who lost their lives on April 16, 2007, in a manner most meaningful to you.
On that day, the ceremonial candle at the April 16 Memorial will burn for 24 hours, but there will not be a public ceremony at midnight and 11:59 p.m. as has been university tradition. Flowers and wreaths will be placed at the memorial and individual memorial stones. All public gatherings traditionally held on that day will not be held.
As was done last year, Virginia Tech’s 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance will be offered as a virtual event. Between April 16 and 18, students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, and all others in the extended community may participate in the virtual run consistent with physical distancing and current public health guidelines. Participants may run, walk, or jog on their own and post a picture online using #VT32Run.
In addition, University Libraries plans to host a weeklong online exhibition to mark the 2021 Day of Remembrance. The exhibit will be curated by Special Collections and University Archives.
