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A Shared History of Growth -- 1873 to 2024

Today the YMCA at Virginia Tech, an independent non-profit organization, is one of the most respected and progressive campus YMCA programs. A large part of this is due to the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the YMCA and Virginia Tech.

 

Mission Statement:
The YMCA at Virginia Tech builds community through learning, leadership, and service.

 

In the early years of Virginia Tech’s history, the YMCA performed almost all non-academic functions of the university, and continually worked to improve and enrich the lives of Virginia Tech students. In fact, the YMCA published the first Student Handbook and held the first student orientation. This tradition continued from the late 1880s to the late 1950s.

The YMCA opened the doors to its first on-campus building in 1902 (now the Performing Arts Building), signaling the commencement of an era in which the YMCA served as the center of campus life. For most of the century, the YMCA has focused its energy on the religious, social, physical, and intellectual well-being of Virginia Tech students.

The 1970’s marked a radical change for the YMCA as the Student Union movement grew and Virginia Tech took over many of the programs the YMCA had launched. The YMCA responded by using its relationship with Virginia Tech to enhance and expand its service to the community. This community service continues today.

 

The key to the successful relationship between the YMCA and Virginia Tech has been the YMCA’s ability to adapt to the changing needs of Virginia Tech students and the surrounding community.