Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505090050
SECTION: DISCOVER NRV PAGE: DNRV-54 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia Tech in Blacksburg is the state's largest university, with about 25,000 graduate and undergraduate students.
Folks from around the community use the campus often, whether it's to walk the 3,000-acre main campus, check out the library, eat grilled cheese sandwiches at the Hardee's in Squires Student Center or take the kids down to the Duck Pond beside the golf course.
Throughout the school year, lecturers such as political odd couple Mary Matalin and James Carville give talks, even as chamber ensembles or other recitals and performances take place. School groups also bring in professional musicians or theatrical troupes. For information: 231-7117.
New River Valley residents also take personal pride in the accomplishments of Tech's sports teams, from the football team that's gone to a bowl game two years running, to the basketball team, which won the National Invitation Tournament championship this year. For game information, call (800) 828-3244 or 231-6731.
Tech also offers an abundance of courses regularly tapped into by the local populace. Call the registrar, 231-0134.
Radford University, with 9,100 graduate and undergraduate students, offers 112 programs in its five undergraduate and one graduate program. The former women's teaching college went coed in the 1970s, and greets a new president, Douglas Covington, on June 1.
Members of the community attend a range of dance and other performances at Radford, where student groups also bring in alternative acts like Offspring. For the older set, Elderhostel programs run each summer.
For information about classes, call the registrar at 831-5271. For performances or lectures, call the information office at Heth Hall, 831-5420.
New River Community College serves about 3,200 student at its Dublin campus, located at the intersection of Virginia 100 and U.S. 11. The range of courses on campus include one-day classes and seminars, primarily focusing on computer use. Noncredit courses include activities such as ballroom dancing, while the kids can attend science camp this summer. The college has some performances, such as magicians and a virtual-reality tour. Call 674-3600.
by CNB