What, Exactly, is a Hokie? and Other Things You Might Want to Know...

I'm going to go ahead and be real honest here...I don't know too much about Virginia Tech...or at least I didn't...but I'm learning. Although I consider myself a bit of a "college/university buff" (the way some people are "wine buffs" or "NASCAR enthusiasts"), I must admit that up until a couple days ago, I did not know the technical definition of a Hokie.

With all of the images we've been getting of the chaos and mourning, it's easy to forget that this is a vibrant, bustling university community...a place that students, faculty and staff love and cherish. So let's all take a minute and get to know Virginia Tech...

1) Virginia Tech was founded in 1872 as a land grant university. (I HEART LAND GRANTS!)

2) VT operates its own stone quarry, where they get all the distinctive limestone for their campus buildings. What is the stone called? Hokie Stone, of course!

3) Former Green Bay Packer, Antonio Freeman (for all you Wisconsinites), graduated from VT...so did the author Homer Hickam. Mr. Hickam wrote the book Rocket Boys, which was made into the movie October Sky. Check out all the other great alumni accomplishments...

4) VT has 6 regional campuses in the state of Virginia. These campuses provide research, outreach, graduate education and professional development. They also have 2 international campus centers...in Switzerland and the Dominican Republic.

5) Virginia Tech's school colors are Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon.

6) The Duck Pond is a favorite campus spot. It was created in 1937.

7) The War Memorial Chapel has 8 pylons that rise up out of it. They symbolize brotherhood, honor, leadership, sacrifice, service, loyalty, duty and Ut Prosim.

8) The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has a band called the "Highty-Tighties."

9) In the mid 1960s, students crafted their own cannon from Civil War-style plans. The cannon is called "Skipper."

10) Oh yeah, so what the heck's a Hokie? Is it a bird? A type of limestone? An agricultural or mechanical term? Yell HOORAY! and then click here.

For all this information and more, visit http://www.vt.edu/about/. Or try taking the Hokie Quiz and see how much more there is to learn!