VT BLACK ALUMNI SOCIETY
MISSION
The Virginia Tech Black Alumni Society (VTBAS) strives to provide an organized network for Black alumni and students to facilitate engagement through social activities, professional development, networking, mentoring, and advocacy.
A LEGACY AND PROMISE TO KEEP
Since Irving Linwood Peddrew III stepped on the campus of Virginia Tech as the first Black student admitted in 1953, Virginia Tech's Black alumni community has pledged to honor his legacy by setting positive examples of academic achievement and success for existing and future students.
BRIEF HISTORY
On June 28, 2021, after two years of planning, the Black Alumni Society Steering Committee (comprised of VT faculty and alumni) announced a proposed framework, timeline, and structure for a formalized Black Alumni Society. Elections were held in the summer of 2021 and officers were installed at the virtual Black Alumni Summit in August 2021. The officers then spent the next two years building the framework of the Society that included writing and adopting by-laws, creating standard operating procedures, defining its mission, delivering programs to engage alumni, and developing a strategic plan to ensure growth and long-term sustainability. In 2023, BAS appointed a Board of Directors and established BAS as a 501c3 non-profit.
LEADERSHIP
The five elected officer positions include president, vice president, second vice president, secretary and treasurer. The officers oversee day-to-day operations with the support of committee members. The standing committees are: administration and operations, budget and finance, communications and marketing, events and programming and student engagement.
MEMBERSHIP
All VT Black alumni are automatic members. There are no fees or membership dues required. Existing active members represent various disciplines, professional fields, geographic locations, professional associations, and class years.
STRATEGIC GOALS
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Organize events and programs in areas that contain a critical mass of Black alumni.
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Establish engaging programs for the social and professional benefit of alumni.
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Celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of Black alumni.
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Build deep and lasting relationships between Black alumni and Black alumni and current students.
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Collaborate with Virginia Tech to attract and support future generations of Black alumni.
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Encourage financial and intellectual giving from Black alumni to Virginia Tech.
WHY BLACK ALUMNI SOCIETY?
There exists a tremendous opportunity to leverage the untapped strengths, talents, and treasures of the 11K plus Black alumni. Creating an enhanced sense of cohesiveness among this alumni group gives us muscle to support the development and growth of VT’s Black student body which we believe is foundationally important.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
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The VTBAS website and monthly newsletter reach on average 3,000 alumni monthly.
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We reach on average 5,000 alumni and the general public through our posts on social media.
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BAS commissioned a new marker to celebrate our 70-year history on Virginia Tech's campus.
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We planned the largest attended Black Alumni Reunion event in history in 2023.
FUNDING
BAS generates operational funds through fundraisers and donations. The Society receives no university funding.