Virginia Tech graduation Countdown

A land-grant school with a military heart

Virginia Tech began in 1872 as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, and its Corps of Cadets has existed since that founding — it remains one of only six senior military colleges in the country, with about 1,400 cadets drilling alongside 37,000 civilian classmates. The university is best known today for engineering and technology, extending to a new Innovation Campus near Washington, D.C. Even the nickname is a piece of history: 'Hokie' comes from a made-up word in an 1896 student spirit yell.

A Friday morning in Lane Stadium

The university ceremony unfolds in 65,632-seat Lane Stadium under the motto Ut Prosim — 'That I May Serve.' One beloved quirk: the students who secretly performed as the HokieBird all year finally reveal themselves by wearing HokieBird feet in the procession. The Corps of Cadets holds its own graduation and joint commissioning ceremony, sending well over a hundred new officers into the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, while individual college ceremonies fill the surrounding days.

Graduates, class by class

The Class of 1944 gave NASA its first flight director, Chris Kraft, whose name is on Houston's Mission Control. The Class of 1964 included Homer Hickam, the Rocket Boys memoirist, and the Class of 1969 a young Frank Beamer, who returned to build Hokie football. Kylene Barker, Class of 1978, became Miss America 1979; Regina Dugan, Class of 1984, became DARPA's first female director; Bruce Smith, Class of 1985, went first overall in the NFL draft; and Hoda Kotb, Class of 1986, woke America up on Today.

Planning your graduation weekend

Blacksburg is a small town hosting one of Virginia's biggest weekends, so The Inn at Virginia Tech and nearby hotels sell out far in advance — many families stay in Christiansburg or even Roanoke, about 45 minutes away. Lane Stadium is roomy, but check the official commencement site for current guest, parking, and weather-plan details before you travel. Graduating Hokies: share this countdown with your class and count down to that Friday in Lane together.

Quick facts

• Founded in 1872 as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College
• Enrolled 38,995 students in fall 2025
• The university commencement is held in Lane Stadium, capacity 65,632
• The Corps of Cadets dates to the 1872 founding — Virginia Tech is one of six senior military colleges in the U.S.
• More than 6,500 degrees were awarded at spring 2026 commencement ceremonies
• More than 60,000 alumni live in the greater Washington, D.C. area alone