BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech will observe the 2023 Day of Remembrance to honor the students and faculty members who lost their lives on April 16, 2007.
“Virginia Tech will forever honor these 32 lives and support their families and others affected by this tragedy,” said Associate Vice President Debbie Day. “It is also a time when we come together as a community and express our commitment and support for one another because so many Hokies were affected by this tragedy.”
On Saturday, April 15, the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance, an annual event that has attracted thousands of walkers, joggers, and competitive runners to campus since 2009, will begin at 9 a.m., rain or shine, on Alumni Mall near the Torgersen Hall bridge. The event, which will start with a moment of silence and takes participants across campus and into Lane Stadium, will end at the April 16 Memorial.
Virtual participation opportunities for the run will be available in addition to the in-person event. Virtual participants are encouraged to engage in a way that is meaningful to them and to share photos using the hashtag “#VT32Run” on Instagram and Twitter. Encouragement and communication also will be shared through the respective Facebook event.
Preregistration for this event is strongly encouraged. Visit the Department of Recreational Sports website for registration and event information.
On Sunday, April 16, the lighting of the ceremonial candle will be held at 12:01 a.m. at the April 16 Memorial, located in front of Burruss Hall on Drillfield Drive. The candle will be lit by representatives of the student body, and the names of the 32 Hokies lost on April 16, 2007, will be read. Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand in watch for the 24 hours that the candle is lit.
At 9:43 a.m., a brief wreath-laying ceremony and moment of silence will be held at the April 16 Memorial. Student members of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad will carry wreaths to the memorial, which will then be placed by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Laura Sands and Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke.
At 11:59 p.m., the ceremonial candle will be extinguished, and the light will be carried back into Burruss Hall, representing the university’s commitment to never forget.
Several other university events, including Black Alumni Reunion, Spring Family Weekend, and the Spring Game with a kickoff at 3 p.m. Saturday will be held over the April 15-16 weekend. Parking and transportation information is posted online to help those attending any event that weekend. Please visit that website for the latest information on parking, road closures, and related information.
For more information, visit the We Remember website.
Mark Owczarski for Virginia Tech