Mining and minerals engineering; green engineering and geosciences minors
4th
Great Falls, Virginia
Cargill, Avery Island, Louisiana, January - August 2011, mining engineering co-op
Chi Omega sorority; Engineers Without Borders (EWB); Student Engineers Council (SEC); Women in Mining (WIM); Burkhart Mining Society; Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME)
I worked at a salt mine in Louisiana. I also went to Las Vegas to celebrate my 21st birthday!
The school spirit
Meet as many new people as possible in the beginning of the year, and get involved in clubs and student organizations!
George "Allen" Bowers (GUEST)
Civil and environmental engineering
4th
Woodstock, Virginia
Antioch Church of the Brethren, Woodstock, Virginia, summer 2010; ministry summer service intern
Engineers Without Borders (EWB); VT powerlifting cross-training; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); Relay for Life; Big Event; Haiti mission trips
Did undergraduate research in geotechnical engineering at VT
Building genuine relationships with awesome people
Don't stress out! Everything can seem so overwhelming at first but just take one step at a time and everything will work out!
Benjamin "Ben" Brainard (GUEST)
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
3rd
Stafford, Virginia
Intramural flag football
Internship with Military Sealift Command
Football
Find a balance between your social and academic lives, be open to new experiences and opportunities, and embrace the Hokie nation.
Chelsea Cady (WEST)
Mining and minerals engineering; geoscience minor
2nd
Catlett, Virginia
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); Hypatia; intramural sports
Took classes both summer sessions at VT
The wonderful people
Try to use all of the resources around you at VT and never be afraid to ask for help. Someone is always there to help you.
Rachel Carney (GUEST)
Industrial and systems engineering
2nd
Greensboro, North Carolina
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); Hypatia; Greek life intramurals
Worked and started looking for possible internships for summer 2012
Campus food
GET INVOLVED! It really helps you meet more people and make new friends.
Haley Cherniuk (GUEST)
Materials science and engineering; green engineering minor
3rd
Massillon, Ohio
The Timken Company, North Canton, Ohio, summer 2010, winter break 2010-2011, metallurgy intern
Alpha Omega Epsilon; Council for the Advancement of Minority Engineering Organizations (CAMEO); American Foundry Society (AFS); Materials Engineering Professional Societies (MEPS); VT Foundry Institute for Research and Education (VT-FIRE) undergradauate research
Returned to The Timken Company
Hokie spirit!
You will find friends and a place you fit in!
Zvonko Cindrich (AHORA)
Industrial and systems engineering; business and green engineering minors
2nd
Ecuador
Hotel Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Ecuador, summer 2009, financial assistant
National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS); Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. (SHPE)
Took some classes in a college in Ecuador and a did internship one month in Ecuador.
Engineering department buildings
Be responsible about your work always, and write down the deadlines of every assignment, quiz or test that you have.
Alexander "Alex" Clarke (GUEST)
Chemical engineering; green engineering minor
2nd
Richmond, Virginia
Theta Delta Chi fraternity; Leadership Tech; Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
Worked for part of the summer and took a couple of road trips to Arizona and California
The school spirit
Get all of your work done early. You will have plenty of time in the end to hang out with friends and have a good time.
Joseph Davis (GUEST)
Aerospace engineering; English (creative writing) and green engineering minors
2nd
Roanoke, Virginia
Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) at VT; Residence Hall Federation (RHF); intramural tennis and ultimate frisbee; University Honors; Lee Hall Council; Galileo engineering learning community
Took a few summer classes at a local community college and worked.
The campus
Always carry an umbrella in your bookbag. You never know when a downpour will begin in Blacksburg.
Carolyn "Carrie" Deutsch (GUEST)
Construction engineering and management
4th
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PJ Dick Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; summer 2010; project engineering intern
Chi Omega; Dean's Team; Constructors' Consortium (CC); intramurals; Associated Schools of Construction Competition team
Returning to PJ Dick Inc. to continue my internship
The Hokie spirit ... it's really something you have to experience
Work hard but don't overdo it..make sure you enjoy your time in college!
Tiffany Ellis (GUEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; business minor
4th
Norfolk, Virginia
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE); Expressions; Dean's Team
Summer internship with Verizon
Food!!!
Never be afraid to ask for help. VT is a wonderful community full of students willing to help others.
Neysa "Neisha" Fernandez Moya (WEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; green engineering minor
3rd
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Took classes and got in shape!
The student diversity and passion for VT
Be determined and never ever doubt yourself and give up. You are capable of accomplishing whatever is set in your mind.
Peter "Pete" Gunderson (GUEST)
Aerospace engineering; astronomy minor
2nd
Chesapeake, Virginia
Freshman Leadership Experience; Hokie Day 2011; recreational sports - flag football and volleyball
Took a coupole of classes at Tidwater Community College while working for my dad's landscaping business. On my days off, I went to the beach or traveled to see my friends and family along the east coast.
The people
Enjoy your summer because it goes by quick. Don't stress about school before you get here, you will have plenty of time to meet new friends and become acclimated to college life.
Undergraduate research for biological systems engineering; Newman Community College Campus Ministry; VT club-sport ski racing team; Society of Women Engineers (SWE); American Society of Agricultrual and Biological Systems Engineering (ASABE)
Study Abroad with VT: Diversity and Social Justice, London, 2nd summer session
Hokie Bird
The key to college is to learn balance: balance school, balance fun, and balance sleep.
Dane Harrington (GUEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; business and green engineering minors
3rd
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Delta Sigma Phi; class of 2013 leadership team- ring dance; Student Alumni Associates (SAA); undergraduate researcher institute for industrial engineers
Worked as an industrial engineering intern for Oshkosh in McConnelsburg, Pennsylvania
The sense of community
Find something you are passionate about and go and get involved doing it on campus! There are almost 30,000 people at this school, someone is more than likely interested in the same things as you!
Kelsie Hernandez (WEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; green engineering minor
3rd
Manassas, Virginia
ISE Ambassadors; Gamma Beta Phi honor society; Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Interned at Tasc, Inc. and went on a cruise to the Bahamas!
Football games!
Keep a master calendar where you can write down and everything you have going on. You'll be able to see upcoming tests easier and you won't miss appointments.
Meghan Heuser (WEST)
Electrical engineering; math minor
2nd
Towson, Maryland
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); Newman House - Catholic campus ministry; Make-a-Wish Foundation (VT team); National Society of Collegiate Scholars; University Honors
Traveled to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France for two weeks with the Rising Sophomore Abroad Program; Worked, babysat, hung out with family and friends, and during the second half of summer, I took physics II at a local college.
My Hokie family
Get involved early and in everything you are interested in!
Maxwell "Max" Holland (GUEST)
Mechanical engineering; business leadership minor
2nd
Charlottesville, Virginia
Student Government Association representative (SGA); Alpha Epsilon Pi; intramural inner tube water polo, indoor soccer, flag football, and soccer; University Honors
I was a camp counselor for the Virginia Governor's School of Agriculture at Virginia Tech
The sense of community
Pursue all your interests. There is a club or organization for everyone at Virginia Tech! Never pass up a chance to try something new you've always been curious about.
Alpha Omega Epsilon; Hokie Ambassador; Council for the Advancement of Minority Engineering Council (CAMEO); University Honors; American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); intramural sports Champs running club
Worked at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon as an innovation intern
The atmosphere and sense of community
Get a planner and write everything down! Be open-minded and get involved.
Kaitlin Kallini (WEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; business minor
2nd
Fairfax, Virginia
Tennis; Society of Women Engineers (SWE); VT Engage; Young Men's Christian Association (VT's YMCA)
Study abroad in Europe for two weeks for engineering program - Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy! Then I took summer classes at Northern Virginia
Outdoor activities
Do one thing that you really like and become active in it!
Lindsey Kostkowski (WEST)
Electrical engineering; math minor
2nd
Elliott City, Maryland
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); VT club volleyball; Gamma Phi Beta; University Honors
Worked, babysat, went to New York City, and hung out with friends and family. Most importantly, I caught up on some much needed sleep!
Hokie spirit
Get involved as much as possible!
Phil Kwon (GUEST)
Mechanical engineering
4th
McLean, Virginia
United Launch alliances, Decatur, Alabama, summer 2011, rocket intern
Undergraduate Researcher, VAL (Vibrations and Acoustics Lab); Electrical and Engine Team of VT Motorsports (Formula SAE team); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE); Student Engineer's Council (SEC); and Pi Tau Sigma (mechanical engineering honor society)
Interned with United Launch Alliances and prepared for 2012 Formula SAE competition.
The community
Be prepared for amazing opportunities at Virginia Tech!
Kristianne Macaraeg (GUEST)
Chemical engineering; leadership and social change and chemistry minors
3rd
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Alpha Omega Epsilon; Student Engineers' Council (SEC); Residential Leadership Community (RLC)
Took summer classes and waited to hear about an internship and lounged on the beach!
Hokie spirt everyday!
Get involved around campus and keep an eye out for opportunities!
Susan Maddox (GUEST)
Civil and environmental engineering; construction engineering and management
3rd
Front Royal, Virginia
Vantage Construction Corporation, Sterling, Virginia, summer 2010, assistant project manager
Gamma Beta Phi Society (GBP); Fitness and Nutrition Club (FAN)
Traveled to Europe with my family in June and interned with Vantage Construction Corporation the rest of the summer.
Hokie pride!
Get involved quickly, try out new things, and look for clubs to match your interests.
Jennifer "Jen" Maddrey (GUEST)
Chemical engineering; statistics minor
2nd
Chesapeake, Virginia
University Honors; Dean's List
Worked and went to the beach
School pride
Get organized. It is the only way to survive your hectic college schedule.
Katherine Mau (GUEST)
Civil and environmental engineering; green engineering minor
3rd
Roanoke, Virginia
intramural flag football, soccer, indoor soccer, ultimate frisbee
Interned at Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in Salem, Virginia; took a class
Beautiful campus and all of the people
Meet a couple people in your specific major so that you can work on homework together, study for tests, and go to class together. It makes a huge difference to have someone there with you.
Kathryn "Katie" McCann (GUEST)
Civil and environmental engineering
2nd
Horseheads, New York
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); intramural sports
Worked in an electro-chemistyr lab at Corning Incorporated in Corning, New York
Making lots of nice Hokie friends!
Come to VT with an open mind. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. Don't be afraid to try new things and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Residential advisor, West Eggleston Hall, VT; cheerleading; National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH); National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Internship and fun times with friends and family.
Hokie nation community
Be open-minded about new opportunities that are presented to you. They could be even more fun than what you would originally expect.
Linley Mescher (WEST)
Mining and minerals engineering; green engineering minor
3rd
Hilliard, Ohio
Diversity Summer Research Program, summer 2011, undergraduate researcher
Resident Adviser; Alpha Omega Epsilon; Diversity Summer Research Program; Scieneering Undergraduate Research Program
I did undergraduate research for Diversity Summer Research Program
I love the Pylons, and that everyone is united by Hokie spirit, no matter where you go!
Take chances and be open minded! You are going to learn so much, not just in class but outside also. This happens by being willing to try new things and open to meeting new people.
New Life Christian Fellowship (NLCF); VT Residence Life (VTRL); Intramural basketball
Interned with the Harris Corporation in Lynchburg, Virginia. I worked under a project manager in the radio frequency wireless division
Great sense of community
Time management is absolutely key. Don't feel like you have to abandon old ways of managing your academic work load, but be willing to adapt your methods to suit the demands of college.
Christopher "Chris" Mobley (AHORA)
Mechanical engineering; leadership studies minor
2nd
Newport News, Virginia
Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC); Air Force ROTC (AFROTC); National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NCCS); Society of American Military Engineers (SAME); Arnold Air Society (AAS)
Worked, took on-line classes at a community college next semester, worked out/ran, and most importantly, hung out with friends.
The atmosphere
My advice is that you treat your Monday through Friday from 9 - 5 as a work day. Go to your classes and get as much homework done as possible. This way your evenings and weekends are free for the most part and you can have some fun.
Nicole Mottes (WEST)
Materials science and engineering; green engineering minor
2nd
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Hokie Effect; Student Government Association (SGA); Delta Delta Delta; Homecoming Board
Worked, traveled, spent time at my shore.
Community
Apply for multiple positions and take part in as many activities as you can. It helps you meet many people and gets you involved.
Aneela Mousam (WEST)
Biological systems engineering; civic agriculture and food systems minor
3rd
Arlington, Virginia
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); Council For the Advancement of Minority Engineering Organizations (CAMEO); Muslim Students Association (MSA)
Took summer classes
The people
Don't slack off freshman year.
Eileen O'Shaughnessy (WEST)
Civil and environmental engineering
2nd
Stafford, Virginia
United Sprinkler, Fredericksburg, Virginia, summer 2010, CAD intern
Rising Sophomore Abroad Program (RSAP); Math Emporium instructional assistant, Kid's Tech student supervisor
Internship, went to the beach, and spent time with my family
The sense of community
Time management skills are the key to being a successful engineering student.
Kori Price (BEST)
Electrical engineering
2nd
Culpeper, Virginia
Society of Women Engineers (SWE); The Marching Virginians
Took summer courses; worked as a STEP residential assistant; relaxed!
It's my home away from home!
Don't be overwhelmed by college. If you manage your time you can have fun and get all of your school work done on time.
Cynthia Ramirez (GUEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; green engineering minor
Grado ISE Ambassador Program; Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE); Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE); National Society of Leadership and Success
Interned at IAI and hung out with my family and friends
School spirit
Networking is the key to success. Try to make as many friends, it will help you in school as well as in the future.
Eric Santure (GUEST)
Aerospace engineering
2nd
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Theta Tau; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); Leadership Tech (LT)
Hung out with friends and enjoyed my last summer at home before I start doing internships and summer classes.
Our school spirit
Meet your professors and go to their office hours
Stephanie Savoia (GUEST)
Construction engineering and management
5th
Chester, New York
Trevcon Construction, Brooklyn, New York, summer 2008 and summer 2010, superintendent
Alpha Phi Omega; Constructors Consortium; intramural flag football; intramural soccer; instramural basketball; intramural volleyball; intramural softball; engineering competition teams
Took summer classes and a vacation
The friends I've made
Time management is KEY!!
Amber Shaffer (GUEST)
Mining and minerals engineering; business and geoscience minors
2nd
Newport News, Virginia
Volunteered and worked to build my resume
The people
Make sure you get the full experience of college. Not only should you focus on academics, but participate in various clubs and activities as well.
Rebecca Shaw (GUEST)
Industrial and systems engineering
4th
Herndon, Virginia
U.S. House of Reprresentatives, Washington, DC, office of Congressman Chris Smith (NJ), spring 2008, congressional intern
Kappa Kappa Gamma; Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru); VT honors program
Attended University of New South Wales Summer Study Abroad Program, taking their international business course; travelled around Australia for six weeks, touring industries and other countries' embassies.
I love how beautiful the campus is in the fall! Everything is orange and maroon!
Take advantage of your professor's office hours! Start early and you won't regret it later on.
Corin Shirley (GUEST)
Engineering science and mechanics; psychology minor
I spent the first half of the summer at VT, taking summer classes. For the second part of the summer, I traveled with family and friends. Then I returned to VT for the start of another great year!
The atmosphere, the places, and all the smiling faces
Don't be afraid to take the initiative to find things and ask questions. If you want to do something do it. Don't hesitate to put yourself out there.
Yodahe "Yodi" Solomon (BEST)
Computer engineering
3rd
Alexandria, Virginia
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE); Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB); Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence (CAEE); Society of Individual Investors; Galileo theme housing
Worked for Dell as an undergraduate senior analyst intern in Austin, Texas
The opportunities, football, and, of course, the food
Work hard. Study smart. Get involved in leadership. Network. Try new things and above all, get ready for the best four years of your life.
Ashley Taylor (GUEST)
Mechanical engineering; leadership and social change and scieneering (biomedical engineering) minors
2nd
Max Meadows, Virginia
Scieneering Program, Virginia Tech/Carillion Health Center, summer 2011, research assistant; RoMeLa (Robotics and Mechanisms Lab), Virginia Tec, spring 2009, intern
Residential Leadership Community (RLC); Student Engineer's Council (SEC); Scieneering Program; Ware Lab tour guide
I worked as a research assistant at VT on a project that combined the mechanical engineering department with the Carilion health care community. I also hung out with friends, spent time with my family, soaked up some, laughed, smiled, and enjoyed every second of summer!
The people!
Keep smiling! Never become discouraged - you can do anything your heart desires! Always believe in yourself, love on the people around you, and enjoy life!
Nathanael "Nathan" Vandygriff (GUEST)
Electrical engineering
2nd
Williamsburg, Virginia
Intramural flag football, basketball, and softball; Newman Community
Worked at home and went on a couple of vacations to relax
Football and basketball games
Find something you like to do and pursue it. There are a lot of opportunities here at VT so get out of your dorm room and meet new people and enjoy yourself.
Interned with AstraZeneca and hung out with friends
The food
Learn to manage your time and adapt to the new environment as quickly as possible so that you may have a successful first year.
Rachel White (GUEST)
Industrial and systems engineering; green engineering and business minors
2nd
Chesapeake, Virginia
Marching Virginians; Intramural soccer, volleyball, and innertube water polo; Hypatia learning community; Society of Women Engineers (SWE); symphonic wind ensemble; pep band
Took as many classes as I could, went to the beach, and hung out with friends from home.
The people and sense of community
Learn time management, make as many friends as possible, and get involved.
Nadiah Younus (GUEST)
Civil and environmental engineering; green engineering minor
4th
Woodbridge, Virginia
District Department of the Environment, Washington, DC, summer 2010; engineering intern
Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS); Muslim Students Association (MSA)
Traveled to Ghana to assit with water and treatment efforts
The size of the campus
Don't buy your textbooks until after classes start and you're sure you need one!
Ezana Zewdie (GUEST)
Aerospace and ocean engineering
3rd
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
National Society Of Black Engineers (NSBE); American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA
I implemented the beginning stages of my senior project of aircraft design; I met with NASA and possibly Lockheed Martin officers in the DC headquarters to get more insight into my major and career. I also worked.
Football and the food
Come in very open minded, Virginia Tech has anything and everything to offer that you can possibly want. So cautiously enjoy the beginning of your college career.
