Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Norris and Wendy – By Peter Means
December 7, 2021 — The largest ever gift by a Virginia Tech alumnus will advance a long-awaited project to replace an aging engineering building with what will be the largest building on the university’s Blacksburg campus. Norris Mitchell ’58 and his wife, Wendy, have committed $35 million to the Virginia Tech College of Engineering. The gift will go toward construction as well as activities and programming for a showcase building for the college, which will replace the more than 60-year-old Randolph Hall.
Per approval of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, the new building will be known as Wendy and Norris E. Mitchell ’58 Hall. Plans are for Mitchell Hall to be 284,000 square feet and contain classrooms, instructional labs, space for student team projects, research labs, and office spaces for faculty, staff, and students. Significant space is also earmarked for student advising and a variety of collaborative uses by students and faculty. Norris Mitchell’s personal story began in Virginia’s Carroll County, where he grew up without running water or electricity in his home. He entered college on scholarship and worked his way through Virginia Tech in a co-op program. Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1958.
“My mother was a schoolteacher and principal, and the value of education has been clear to me ever since I was a boy,” said Norris Mitchell, who was an aerospace executive with several leading firms before transitioning careers to found companies in real estate and banking. “Virginia Tech equipped me with the knowledge and skillset to have an extremely fulfilling career across several industries. I appreciate the university’s key role in my life. Wendy and I are happy to be able to make this gift to help Virginia Tech prepare tomorrow’s engineers.”
Schuyler Van Montfrans-VWCC photo
Its often difficult for high school students heading to community college – and then to 4-year school or a career a few years later. That’s why Virginia Western Community College employs “success coaches.” WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more on that, “In Depth.”
On this “Giving Tuesday” dozens of non-profits in the area are asking for donations large or small. That includes Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, which recently expanded to 12 sites from 7 and welcomes around 400 children every day for afterschool programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia looks to raise $50,000 today with help from a $5000 matching grant. At a fundraising event this morning, Director of Development Emily Pinkerton said grants don’t provide all the funds needed to operate.
Rescue Mission FB photo
Despite only about two days to move the Atlantic Union Drumstick Dash 5K – and thousands of runners or walkers – from downtown Roanoke to the Greenway near Wiley Drive, the Roanoke Rescue Mission appeared to pull it off without a hitch this morning. The Drumstick Dash had to be relocated after not enough police officers were recruited to work major downtown intersections. Proceeds from the annual 5K supports Rescue Mission food services. The Drumstick Dash raised around $300,000 this year; about 7000 runners and walkers took part. Lee Clark is the Rescue Mission CEO:
The Roanoke Times might be changing ownership. Hedge fund Alden Global Capital, one of the country’s largest newspaper owners with a reputation for intense cost cuts and layoffs, has offered to buy the local newspaper chain Lee Enterprises for about a 141-million-dollars – that according to The Virginian-Pilot which is owned by Alden Global Capital. They also own the Daily Press and if this deal went through, they would own the Richmond-Times Dispatch as well as the Roanoke Times.
Lee Clark -Rescue Mission/submitted
Next month Roanoke City could pass an ordinance that would make it a class 4 misdemeanor to sleep on a sidewalk in the downtown district. That could mean more homeless people will have to seek a shelter instead. Rescue Mission of Roanoke CEO Lee Clark says they are ready. Clark says the Rescue Mission and other shelters in the valley noticed an uptick in the number of homeless this past summer; he calls it “a tough time,” with the pandemic just making matters worse.
Thanksgiving is 8 days away – and so is the Atlantic Union Drumstick Dash that same morning. Funds raised from the 5K run or walk event in downtown Roanoke will support Roanoke Rescue Mission food service programs. So far around 5000 runners or walkers have signed up; all Drumstick Dash participants get a T-shirt and a finishers medal. Lee Clark is CEO for the Rescue Mission in Southeast Roanoke City, he was live in-studio this morning; hear the complete conversation below, watch it on Facebook.
Register for Drumstick Dash 5K
The legal needs of the community have shifted over the past few years in part due to the coronavirus pandemic. A local nonprofit is trying to figure out the region’s greatest needs. With the story, WFIR’s Caroline Moore: