BLACKSBURG – Frank Beamer, legendary football coach for the Hokies, will return to Lane Stadium on Friday, May 17 as Virginia Tech's commencement speaker.
Beamer will address the Class of 2019 during University Commencement exercises, which will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Speakers for other Virginia Tech commencement ceremonies include Melody Barnes, co-director of the Democracy Initiative at the University of Virginia. She will speak on Thursday, May 16 at Virginia Tech's Graduate School Commencement Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.
Joshua Johnson, WAMU radio program host, will address graduates at the National Capital Region Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. It will held at George Mason University's Center for the Arts in Fairfax.
Beamer, a 1969 Virginia Tech graduate, celebrates his 50th reunion this year. He retired in 2015 as the winningest coach in Tech football history, with a school-record 238 victories in 29 seasons. Under Beamer, the Hokies had five top 10 finishes and became one of only six programs in college football history to go to a bowl game for at least 20 consecutive seasons.
Of his many accolades, Beamer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection last year. In January, he received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, and in June, he will receive the 23rd Dick Enberg Award.
"Coach Frank Beamer has been and continues to be a model ambassador of the Hokie Nation," said Matt Winston, senior associate vice president for Alumni Relations at Virginia Tech. "He has served Virginia Tech with class and distinction, both in his role as the leader of our great football program and as someone dedicated to the success and progress of our beloved alma mater. I have no doubt that students and fellow alumni, alike, will enjoy the words of wisdom and reflection that Frank will deliver."
A complete schedule of commencement ceremonies and additional information can be found on the commencement website.
Beamer continues to serve Virginia Tech as an ambassador for athletics and the spokesperson for the Drive for 25 campaign that seeks to increase membership in the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund (aka the "Hokie Club") to 25,000 members.
"I know firsthand from both my experience as a player and from coaching just how important scholarships are to young people here at Virginia Tech," Beamer said. "Scholarships change lives, and that's why Cheryl [his wife] and I have always been willing to give to help these student-athletes not just to play sports, but also to be a part of such a special place and get a degree. Many of my former players wouldn't have received that opportunity otherwise."
If you haven't done so already, please consider joining the Hokie Club today and become part of the Drive for 25 by clicking DriveFor25.com .
