VT receives Anthem Award for ‘1872 Forward: A Celebration of Virginia Tech’ event highlighting university’s history

James Dalpino
·2 min read

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — A Virginia Tech event highlighting the university’s history, ‘1872 Forward: A Celebration of Virginia Tech,’ was awarded a bronze medal in the Education, Art, and Culture: Community Engagement category of the Anthem Awards.

This year’s Anthem Award winners were selected from a pool of over 2,000 submissions from 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The purpose of the awards is to honor the work of the people, companies, and organizations worldwide in seven core causes: Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Education Art & Culture, Health, Human & Civil Rights, Humanitarian Action & Services, Responsible Technology, and Sustainability Climate & Environment.

1872 Forward: A Celebration of Virginia Tech presented by the Council of Virginia Tech History and More Than a Fraction Foundation was held on March 22-24, 2022, and brought to life how the past shapes the present and eventually leads the university into the future.

Virginia Tech breaks records for Giving Day 2024, raises over $13M

The events centered on the 150 years of Virginia Tech’s History and the land it stands on. This includes the communities of Native Americans who call the land home, descendants of Africans who were enslaved on the land, descendants of the European Americans who once owned the land, and the experiences of students, staff, and alumni who have made Virginia Tech what it is today.

“I am very proud of the work the Council on Virginia Tech History has done and is continuing to do,” said Menah Pratt, vice president of strategic affairs and diversity. “The council was initially established to create projects and events to help celebrate Virginia Tech’s sesquicentennial; however, our group always saw that as just the beginning. Many great works came out of this three-day event, and we are excited to continue building upon those outcomes.”

Throughout the week, the council carried out a free and open dialogue about Virginia Tech as an institution and as a community. Participants were able to share stories and histories about experiences that may not have been widely known, denied, or misunderstood. The event was able to open deeper conversations within the university community and beyond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.