Students enjoy a cheesy snack in front of Newman Library during spring 2023 finals week.
BLACKSBURG — Cheesy Nights at Newman Library is back for the spring 2024 semester on May 2, 3, 5, and 6 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the library plaza on the Blacksburg campus.
Students enjoy a cheesy snack in front of Newman Library during spring 2023 finals week. Every semester during finals week, the delicious tradition captures the hearts and taste buds of students one grilled cheese sandwich at a time. Cheesy Nights, hosted by University Libraries, has become a beloved tradition on campus.
“Cheesy Nights is an event that started small but became very large based on the need around the campus of students who are hungry during finals week,” said Therese Walters, founder and co-coordinator of Cheesy Nights and wife of University Libraries Dean Tyler Walters.
Cheesy Nights began in 2011 with just $100 for cheese, butter, bread, and a small griddle. Therese Walters walked the halls of Newman Library feeding hungry Hokies with one cart full of food and two teenage volunteers.
Word quickly spread about the cheesy goodness, and students started showing up in droves for the tasty treats. Fast-forward to the present, and you can expect to see long lines of hungry students taking over the walkway between Newman Library and Squires Student Center as the irresistible aroma of butter, bread, and melted cheese lures in Hokies. The sizzle of the griddles and laughter of thousands provide the soundtrack for Cheesy Nights.
The once small and lesser-known event has now morphed into a gathering that draws in crowds of over 6,000 students, uses more than 100 volunteers, and is funded by thousands of dollars donated by Virginia Tech families, alumni, and friends each semester through crowdfunding. Campus partners including the Virginia Tech Police Department, Dining Services, and Virginia Tech Athletics help make this tradition possible.
“I am completely shocked at how big it has become,” Walters said. “It’s exciting to know that year after year we’ve been able to keep growing to meet the needs of these students.”
The success of Cheesy Nights can be attributed to several factors. First, the event offers a variety of foods, such as gluten-free bread and vegan cheese, so all students can enjoy a little bit of comfort during finals week.
The event’s growth is a testament to the dedication of its organizers, campus partners, and the volunteers who return year after year and sometimes travel from all over the country to be part of Cheesy Nights.
“The No. 1 thing you hear when it comes to traditions at Virginia Tech is the term Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). That’s what we’re doing here. We’re serving the community of students by giving something to them that hopefully they’ll remember,” said Phil Scott, a long-time volunteer and supporter of Cheesy Nights.
“I have a volunteer heart, and this is my favorite event of the whole year to volunteer at,” said D’Lyn Biggs, who traveled all the way from Austin, Texas, to lend a helping hand during the fall 2023 Cheesy Nights. “I came all this way because I believe that students can’t learn if they’re hungry. So this is a great chance to come and experience the Hokie Spirit and give back to this community.”
Students take notice of the volunteers who work tirelessly to make Cheesy Nights a memorable event.
“I know this kind of stuff isn’t happening at other colleges and universities that my friends are going to,” said student Toby Kuhns. “Cheesy Nights is a really special thing because we are able to come together as one and be a part of this Virginia Tech community.”
Ann Brown for Virginia Tech