Good morning, Blacksburg.

The Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program started in 1975 to help neighbors with bills, food, and clothing and has grown to support thousands of families over 50 years.

Local leaders will join a celebration on April 26 called Hot Dogs, Peanut Butter, and Jam!—organizers are also running a 50 for 50 Years fundraiser.

Following an investigation into a shooting incident on April 17, 2025, authorities charged Robert Leonard, 47 from Radford, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in a felony — Sidney Schwartz, 22 from Elliston, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony and conspiracy to commit aggravated malicious wounding — with no bond information available.

Virginia Tech theatre alumnus Dylan Bomgardner helped design stage lighting for Metallica’s M72 World Tour concert at Lane Stadium on May 7—it will include 48 light fixtures he helped select during the early design phase.

A wide variety of campus events will take place next week—featuring performances by longstanding musical groups, the Undergraduate Student Senate inauguration, and the 64th International Street Fair, among other activities.

Kay Edge, an associate professor of architecture at Virginia Tech for over 22 years, was conferred emerita status by the Board of Visitors for her work advancing sustainable architecture + solar energy and net-zero systems.

Virginia Tech honored Jonathan M.

Hankey (a senior research scientist at VTTI) by conferring emeritus status in recognition of his long career in transportation safety research. He served over 27 years (mentoring junior researchers and leading multi-million-dollar projects) and his work on the largest naturalistic driving study brought international attention.

Edward Fox, a computer science professor who served Virginia Tech for over 41 years, has been awarded emeritus status by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, recognizing his work directing theses (53 master’s and 35 doctoral) and leading 147 grants for multidisciplinary research.

His contributions in digital libraries and information retrieval brought global visibility to the university and earned him multiple honors.

Hokies enjoyed the warm spring weather on campus yesterday — students slacklined on the Drillfield and the Corps of Cadets took part in field day.

Virginia Tech's GenerationOne living-learning community—started in fall 2021—will see its first cohort graduate this spring as the first in their families to earn a four-year degree.

The program provides academic, social, and professional support to first-generation students and will accept new applications until June 6.

Bonsai Painting Night at Beliveau Farm Winery

6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — Ticket sales end March 21st, 2025 — Unleash your creativity while sipping wine and painting your own bonsai masterpiece.