Tech Recruits Underrepresented Populations With Equal Doses of Celebrity, Reality
By Neal Turnage

Michael Vick was back on campus over the weekend to aid in recruiting, but the recruits he spoke to will likely never suit up or even set foot onto Worsham Field.

A guest of Virginia Tech’s Gateway program, his visit was the final activity of a two-day long recruiting affair. 

The NFL superstar, in fact, hardly mentioned football as he addressed 118 high school students on the importance of academics and the benefits of coming to Virginia Tech.

“The key to everything is preparation and dedication,” Vick told the students.  “Prepare yourself the right way.  Dedicate yourself to be persistent so whatever you’re doing can happen.  Whether it’s on the football field, the basketball court or on the job.  It’s about applying yourself, not being a quitter.”

Vick also urged the students to take advantage of the many resources the university provides such as tutors and computer labs. 

“I spent a lot of time with a tutor,” he said, citing personal experience. “I had a lot of things I had to attend to off the field dealing with football…and I really couldn’t study at home.  I had four roommates that were really rowdy, so it wasn’t getting done there.”

The Gateway program is a yield program designed to bolster the underrepresented student populations on campus.  Virginia Tech Admissions classifies those populations as African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Alaskan natives.

Each student in attendance had already been offered admission, though many were still in the process of deciding which school to attend.

“It’s a tough decision,” Vick said. “You’ve got to start early, investigating campuses and everything that goes along with it (like) the environments, the atmosphere, the majors.  So you can make the right choice for you.”

The event gave students the opportunity to see Virginia Tech in person and settle their curiosity about the diversity climate on campus.  Current Tech students acted as hosts allowing the applicants to stay overnight in a dorm.

Some students were bused in from northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, while one participant drove all the way in from Kansas.  For making the long journey, Steven Diaz was brought on stage where Vick presented him with an autographed t-shirt.

Upon arrival Friday the students were treated to a welcome speech from poet, author and current Tech professor Dr. Nikki Giovanni.
Giovanni had lofty expectations for the students and for the university as a whole.  “Diversity is important.  We have a goal here at Virginia Tech to be a top 30.  I think we’re shorting ourselves on that…For God’s sake, Clemson is in the top 30 and we beat Clemson in everything.”

Her speech touched on the many reasons one should attend Virginia Tech, from its Arts and English programs to the sports facilities and even the school colors.  The main focus of her address, however, was activism.

“I am not the guru,” she said.  “I’m not trying to tell you this afternoon what it is you should do, but you should do something besides sit around and suck up air.”

Brittany York, a participant from James River High School, was riveted by Giovanni’s speech.  “She was so brutally honest with everything that you couldn’t help but pay attention whether you agreed with her or not.  At least she has the guts to say that stuff.  That was a real treat.”

Giovanni went on to speak about how NASA needs African-Americans.  She read her poem “Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars)”, expressing the unique qualities of the Negro that can make the mission to Mars a plausible reality.

Aurelia Holmes, chaperone and mother of 16-year-old participant Lance, was particularly impressed with the Gateway program.  “I have no reservations in sending my son here.  This experience has been fantastic.”

Vick even acknowledged Giovanni’s contributions to his own college experience.  “Nikki Giovanni…followed me and really supported me, not only on the field but off the field as well.  I have a lot of great memories from being in her class.”

Following their speeches, both guests answered questions and signed autographs.  Vick spent two minutes at each table greeting students and posing for pictures.

In addition to the featured speakers, Gateway allowed the students to address a student panel, attend departmental information sessions and attend an on-campus party at Squires Student Center.