2026 Student Send-Offs
Join your local chapter for a Student Send-Off to get new Hokies excited and ready for their next chapter at Virginia Tech.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 12:30-3 p.m.
- Location: Oaksmith Residence (Address will be in confirmation email)
- Details: Join us for a picnic! We will provide BBQ and drinks. Please bring a dish to share.
- Registration: Register online by Monday, June 22.
- Contact: Becky Oaksmith at boaksmith@comcast.net.
- Date: Sunday, June 14
- Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Location: Opie's Soft Serve & Snowballs, 1603 Edmondson Ave., Suite 105, Catonsville, MD 21228
- Details: Join us for a sweet treat with other Baltimore Hokies!
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 12.
- Contact: Gary Schropp at bmorehokies@gmail.com.
- Date: Wednesday, June 17
- Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Location: Teak Neighborhood Grill, 6400 Times Square Ave., Orlando, FL 32835
- Details: Join us for our Student Send-Off event! We look forward to wonderful conversations, great food, and Hokie company! Registration is free for incoming students and $10 for everyone else. Registration includes light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Registration: Register online by Monday, June 15.
- Contact: Christina Salisbury at cfl.vt.alumni@gmail.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 1-4 p.m.
- Location: Crush Yard Mount Pleasant, 3365 S. Morgans Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
- Details: Join us for our Student Send-Off! This annual tradition is a great opportunity for incoming and returning students and their families to connect with fellow Hokies in the Charleston area before the academic year begins. Enjoy a fun afternoon filled with community, conversation, light bites, pickleball, and other fun activities!
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 26.
- Contact: Mary Kate Quinn at emkay.quinn@gmail.com or Caroline Hirsch at carolinejohnsonhirsch@gmail.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: Noon-3 p.m.
- Location: Ramblewood Park, 10200 Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28273
- Details: Join the Charlotte Hokies for our Student Send-Off. Main course cookout food provided (burgers and hot dogs). Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 26.
- Contact: Brooks Aker at bfaker@vt.edu.
- Date: Sunday, June 14
- Time: 4-7 p.m.
- Location: Scott Family Residence (Address will be in confirmation email)
- Details: Bring your family and your lawn chairs or blankets and join us for a backyard BBQ to celebrate the class of 2030! Come ready for Hokie trivia, lawn games, and more! Congrats to the newest Hokies and their families!
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 12.
- Contact: Laura Leigh Scott at LauraLeigh.scott@edwardjones.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 14
- Time: 12:30-3:30 p.m.
- Location: Elawa Park Pavilion (adjacent to Elawa Farms), 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045
- Details: Join us for a Student Send-Off picnic with alumni in the Chicago area! We will provide drinks, BBQ cookout food (burgers, hot dogs, etc.), and picnic supplies (plates, napkins, and utensils). Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 12.
- Contact: Tracey Beck at lakeforesthokie@gmail.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 3-6 p.m.
- Location: Quarry Bluff Shelter, Lake Isabella, 10174 E. Loveland Madeira Road, Loveland, OH 45140
- Details: Join fellow Hokie alums, current and future students, family, and friends as we celebrate the summer and send off the newest batch of Hokies to Blacksburg. We will provide shredded smoked pork, buns, plates, napkins, utensils, and water. Please bring a side dish to share, as well as any personal beverage you would like besides water.
- Registration: Register online by Thursday, June 25.
- Contact: Erica Boyd at ericapboyd@aol.com.
- Date: Saturday, June 20
- Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
- Location: Chicken N Pickle, 4600 Merlot Ave., Grapevine, TX 76051
- Details: Join us as we celebrate graduating seniors heading to Virginia Tech this fall! This send-off is a great opportunity to connect, celebrate, and get excited for the journey ahead. Pickleball courts will be available for open play. Whether you are a beginner or pro, come have some fun!
- Registration: Register online by Thursday, June 18.
- Contact: Christine Malcolm at dfwhokies@gmail.com.
- Date: Saturday, June 20
- Time: 3-5 p.m.
- Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
- Details: Join the D.C. Hokies for our Student Send-Off event! This event is rain or shine. We'll be enjoying desserts and views of Potomac Yards and DCA. Registration is free for incoming students and $10 for alumni, family, and friends.
- Registration: Register online by Wednesday, June 17.
- Contact: Tricia Realbuto at trealbuto@vt.edu.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 4-6 p.m.
- Location: Pindustry (upstairs on the Skydeck), 7939 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80112
- Details: The Denver Hokies are awarding scholarships to Colorado seniors attending Virginia Tech in the fall. We’re throwing a party in their honor! Local alumni and future Hokies are invited. All ages are welcome. Look for orange and maroon, Virginia Tech flags, and lots of great Hokies. Registration is free and includes a drink ticket and Hokie-inspired local desserts.
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 26.
- Contact: Mark Hojegian at Mark@DenverHomeLifestyles.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 14
- Time: 4-6 p.m.
- Location: Northern Fauquier Community Park, 4155 Monroe Parkway, Marshall, VA 20115
- Details: Alumni, current Hokies, friends, and those heading to Virginia Tech this fall are all welcome! Wear your Hokie colors! This event is free and we will be providing picnic food.
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 12.
- Contact: Deborah Foulk Libby at mark_libby@msn.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 14
- Time: 1-4 p.m.
- Location: Home of Jim and Katheryn Driscoll (address will be provided in confirmation email)
- Details: Join us for this year's Student Send-Off and Alumni Picnic! We will be back at the Driscolls' home in Middletown, Delaware. The chapter will provide burgers, hot dogs, rolls, and water. Please bring a dessert or side dish to share. Once you register, you'll receive a confirmation email that will include a link to sign up! Follow our Facebook event for updates.
- Cost to Attend: Incoming students, current students, and children 10 and under are free. All other guests are $10.
- Registration: Register online by Thursday, June 11.
- Contact: Mary Sage at delawarehokies@gmail.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 7
- Time: 2-4 p.m.
- Location: Knights of Pythias Lodge 22, 330 Wallace Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
- Details: Welcome the Class of 2030 at the Knights of Pythias Lodge 22 during our Student Send-Off event! Alumni, current Hokies, and friends are welcome to join our celebration. This event is free and includes picnic food and swag!
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 5.
- Contact: Jamie Marshall Haughton at vtjmp78@gmail.com.
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 13
- Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
- Location: Burnside Pavilion at Founders Park, 405 N. Campbell Station Road, Farragut, TN 37934
- Details: Come join us for snacks and any last minute questions before you head off to Blacksburg! This event is open to alumni, current students, incoming students, and Hokie families.
- Registration: Register online by Monday, Aug. 10.
- Contact: Fred Gibson at gibsofc@gmail.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 4:30-7 p.m.
- Location: Foxridge Park Pavilion, 525 Catoctin Circle SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
- Details: Join us at Foxridge Park Pavilion for the Loudoun County Student Send-Off! The chapter will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, water, plates, napkins, and utensils. There are picnic tables in the pavilion. Attendees are welcome to bring their own folding chairs and lawn games. Each family attending is asked to bring a dessert, side dish, or salad to share. Registration is free to incoming students and $5 for alumni, family, and guests.
- Registration: Register online by Tuesday, June 23.
- Contact: Lynnette Mergler at lynnette.mergler@gmail.com.
- Date: Saturday, June 20
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Location: Triad Park, 9652 W. Market St., Kernersville, NC 27284
- Details: Please join us for the N.C. Triad Student Send-Off! We'll be at Triad Park, Shelter 4. We'll have catered barbecue with vegan options provided. Please notify us during registration if food accommodations are required. Every student receives custom Virginia Tech swag!
- Registration: Register online by Wednesday, June 17
- Contact: Sam Ashby at sam.e.ashby2@gmail.com.
- Date: Saturday, June 13
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Location: Olmsted Park/Daisy Field, 217 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA 02130
- Details: We'll be gathering to meet incoming students, alumni, friends, and family at a public park for snacks. If you are able, please bring something light to share. Paper products, utensils, and soda/water will be provided by the chapter.
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 12.
- Contact: Randy Abutin at randy.abutin@iamconsult.net.
- Date: Saturday, June 13
- Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Location: McPherson Park, 120 E. Park Ave., Greenville, SC 29601
- Details: Join the Palmetto Chapter for a Student Send-Off BBQ and celebrate future Hokies!
- Registration: Register here by Tuesday, June 9.
- Contact: Tyler Sites at tsites@vt.edu.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Location: Horsham Township Parks - Kohler Park (pavilion), 1013 Horsham Road, Ambler, PA 19002
- Details: Join the Philadelphia Hokies on June for our Student Send-Off! We'll be at Horsham Township Parks - Kohler Park (pavilion) for light refreshments and an opportunity to network and connect with alumni, parents, and students.
- Registration: Register here by Friday, June 26.
- Contact: LuAnn Patrick at lpatrick520@gmail.com.
- Date: Saturday, July 18
- Time: 2-5 p.m.
- Location: Flagstaff Hill, across the street from 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Details: Join us at Flagstaff Hill on Saturday, July 18 from 2-5 p.m. for our Pittsburgh Student Send Off! This will be a picnic/tailgate style event. We will have light food and drinks. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket, football, or anything else you’d normally bring to a picnic or tailgate. Attire is casual.
- Registration: Register here by Tuesday, July 14.
- Contact: Jimmy Knepper at jknepper@vt.edu.
- Date: Saturday, May 30
- Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Location: Robious Landing Park, 3800 James River Road, Midlothian, VA 23113
- Details: Future Hokies, their families, and local alumni are all welcome to the open house style Student Send-Off! The event is free and refreshments will be served.
- Register: Register online by Friday, May 29.
- Contact: Vernon Wildy, Jr. at mistav2000@hotmail.com.
- Date: Friday, June 12
- Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
- Location: Queen Anne Beer Hall, 203 W. Thomas St., Seattle, WA 98119
- Details: Join us for a Student Send-Off Happy Hour before Virginia Tech Night at the Seattle Storm at Queen Anne Beer Hall. All ages welcome. Light appetizers will be paid for by the chapter and drinks (alcoholic and non) are available for purchase. Queen Anne Beer Hall is within walking distance to Climate Pledge Arena for the game and accessible via public transit if you are planning to go to the game after!
- Register: Register online by Wednesday, June 10.
- Contact: Bethie Fulcher at Bethiefulcher@gmail.com.
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 4
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Lunenburg Country Club, 1008 E. 5th Ave., Kenbridge, VA 23944
- Details: Come join us as we welcome our new Virginia Tech students and hear from the great Mike Burnop, Virginia Tech's Hall of Fame network analyst, two-time Virginia Sportscaster of the Year, and Hokie alum. The evening includes a buffet chicken dinner for $25. New students and their parents are not required to pay for dinner. Please send questions or RSVPs by Friday, July 24 by emailing or calling: Beverley Hawthorne at bphawthorne@outlook.com or 434-917-9966; Frank Turner at frank_r_turner@hotmail.com or 804-363-3233; or John D. Clary at jdchokie@verizon.net or 804-731-2515.
- Date: Sunday, June 28
- Time: 4-6 p.m.
- Location: Shorebreak Pizza, 2941 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
- Details: Join fellow Hokies to welcome the Class of 2030 at our annual Student Send-Off event! Incoming and current students and their families are all invited. Pizza, non-alcoholic beverages, and Virginia Tech swag will be provided. There is no cost to attend!
- Registration: Register online by Friday, June 26.
- Contact: Robyn Walters at Tidewaterhokiespres@gmail.com.
- Date: Sunday, June 14
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Location: North Cary Park Picnic Shelter, 1100 Norwell Blvd., Cary, NC 27513
- Details: Join us to welcome our new Triangle Hokies to the Virginia Tech community before they head off to Blacksburg in the fall! The chapter will provide a variety of sandwiches, sides, and beverages, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Families of students, incoming students, and local alumni are encouraged to attend. All participants will receive custom Virginia Tech swag!
- Registration: Register here by 8 a.m. on Friday, June 12.
- Contact: Rich and Betsy Harris at trianglehokies@gmail.com.
- Date: Tuesday, June 23
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Trapezium Brewing Company, 423 3rd St., Petersburg, VA 23803
- Details: Help welcome our incoming Hokies, the Class of 2030! We had such a great time at Trapezium last year and we are returning again this year! If the weather holds, we will be outside on the patio and courtyard! There will be great swag available, so come decked out in your best maroon and orange.
- Registration: Register online by Monday, June 22.
- Contact: Julie Smart Koob at onevthoki@gmail.com.
- Date: Tuesday, May 26
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Frothy Moon, 1826 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185
- Details: Join us for the Williamsburg Student Send-Off! We'll be on the patio at Frothy Moon. We will get together and enjoy the nice weather outside while celebrating our newest Hokies. There will be pizza and swag for all incoming students. Registration is free for incoming students and guests five and under, and $10 per person for all other guests.
- Registration: Register online by Monday, May 25.
- Contact: Sarah Stephens at stephens.se123@gmail.com.
