The Virginia Tech Women’s Club (VTWC) recently held its Annual Welcome Reception at The Inn of VT.
The event is held every year to encourage interested women and members to share experiences and begin a new year together.
The mission of VTWC is to raise money to provide scholarship for women students at VT. This year, six women were awarded $34,500 in scholarships at the April luncheon.
The scholarship recipients were Madison Blake, Krista Carlton, Sai Chegu, Lacey Ngo, Nicole Quiram and Leah Tillman. It was so heart-warming to have all these young women at the luncheon and to hear their educational goals and future plans.
A large group of 91 women attended the reception and enjoyed mingling and learning about the club. There was a display table showing the 14 interest groups that include Book Club, Women and Wine, Paper Crafts, Dine Around and many more, and sign-ups to join them. A display showing the scholarship giving history and the women who were awarded the scholarships could be seen, a poster showed the trips planned for Day Trippers, and more information about the Club was available for guests.
Sharon Chickering, president of VTWC, welcomed everyone and recognized special guests including founding members, Margaret Cates and Francis Frederick. Then she introduced Dr. Laura Sands, Honorary President of VTWC. When VTWC was formed in 1965, a tradition began with Peggy Hahn, spouse of VT President Marshall T. Hahn, being named Honorary President. Dr. Laura Sands continues the tradition as our fifth Honorary President and has served for 10 years.
Dr. Laura Sands said that she was always happy to host the welcome reception for VTWC as it begins its new year. She spoke about the commitment to fund scholarships for VT women students. She remembered working when attending college and how scholarships are so important in allowing promising young women to fully pursue their education.
It was so special to have two of the six 2025 scholarship winners attend the reception. Sai Chegu who is majoring in Civil Engineering, and Nicole Quiram, a student in Industrial Engineering, spoke and shared their career
goals, told what the scholarships meant to them and thanked members of VTWC for their scholarships.
At the reception, it is a tradition to choose someone important to the club and honor them for their service and support. This year, Deanie Heath, a long-time, special VTWC member was chosen. She was honored because of her “quiet strength, giving, competence, and friendship”. Several members shared how important Deanie is to the organization. One said, “Loving, caring, sharing, smart, wise, dedicated, funny, passionate about everything she does and Italian…she is so strong and a wonderful friend to all of us. I love her and all she encompasses.” Deanie is truly a leader among women and we are fortunate to have her.
Sharon ended the program by thanking Dr. Laura Sands, all the people at The Inn at VT and members of VTWC for their hard work in making the event such a success.
Not only does VTWC provide scholarships to VT women students, but it also strives to expand the intellectual and social horizons of members though involvement in interest groups, service projects, Friday Forums, and trips to explore the area. Membership is open to all women who support the stated purpose of VTWC and who embrace the club’s core values of friendship, education, service, and scholarship. Dues are $25 and help cover the operating expenses for the year.
Please go to https://www.virginiatechwomensclub.org for more information on everything VTWC offers to members.
Terri Lynn Howard, VTWC
