End Note: Alumni perspective and passion
The keys to our alma mater's future
Hokies everywhere watched with excitement as we marked a major milestone in our university’s history — the opening of Academic Building One in Alexandria. You’ve read about Virginia Tech’s ongoing and growing presence in the D.C. region in this issue .
As an engaged alum, I was inspired to see such a transformative moment for Virginia Tech in the region I and more than 60,000 other Hokies call home.
Like so many, I am excited about Virginia Tech’s future in Blacksburg and beyond. As the president of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, I know the critical role that alumni play in the life of the university. A key part to our future success is our alumni base, which is more than 290,000 Hokies strong.
We bring an important perspective and passion to the work of advancing our university. While Virginia Tech leaders may change, alumni are the constant. When we choose to step up, volunteer with, and give to the university, we make our alma stronger.
For three years I have worked alongside Charlie Phlegar, who will retire later this year, to strengthen our alumni board. Our board implemented a new structure aimed at supporting presidential priorities and drawing on the deep expertise of engaged alumni who want to serve the university.
Now, we are working toward aligning and integrating alumni boards across the university. This is vital because our alumni community is not only vast and deeply experienced across industries and professions, but because we remain alumni forever.
The shift in board structures sets us up to elevate the top presidential priorities, including Virginia Tech Advantage and Virginia Tech’s aspiration to become a top 100 global research university. Both are essential to fulfilling our land grant mission.
We are also focused squarely on the transformative work of the Advancement Division. With committees for engagement, development, and communications and marketing, we are key thought partners in this important work that supports the university’s greatest aspirations.
MEET THE ALUMNI BOARD
The board is a dedicated group who advocate for the university and raise its visibility.
There is great power when Hokies come together, we know that. Our next chapter will be successful when we all step up and play a role. I hope you’ll join me on what will be an exciting journey, and one that we’ll all be proud of.
ABOUT KEITH STEMPLE
Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board President Keith Stemple is the chief legal personnel and development and practice management officer at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale).
Stemple earned a Master of Arts in education focusing on human resource development from George Washington University in 2005 and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in history and political science from Virginia Tech in 1995.
He served as the D.C. Metro Area Chapter scholarship chair for over 20 years until 2021. He is currently president of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors and a member of the Hokie Club. Stemple also serves as chairman of the Board of Directors for the German Club Alumni Foundation.