A complete college experience involves more than just academic classes!
The Student Activities Office provides the opportunity for students to have fun and continue learning outside the formal classroom.
Virginia Western’s Student Activities Office offers recreation, sports, performing arts, student clubs, field trips and more!
Click here for a full list of Student Life and Recreation Activities or a printable version of the Fall Activities Calendar (PDF).
Participation Information:
Student Activities are for current students at Virginia Western.
Some Student Activities programs, including intramurals, fitness center, group exercise, and off-campus trips, are strictly limited to students who are currently taking a course. Eligibility to participate begins on the first day of the course(s) for each student, and eligibility ends on the last day of the course(s). Students who withdraw from all classes are ineligible for participation starting the day after the withdrawal. Eligibility is based on the course start and end dates, and does not deem a student eligible for participation in the entire term/semester. (For example, enrollment in a one weekend CPR/First Aid course does not provide eligibility to participate in intramurals, fitness center, or off-campus trips outside of the course dates or the entire semester.) Additional programs may have strict enrollment requirements on a case-by-case basis.
Student Activities
| Activity | Date(s)/Time | Location | Add’l Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peanut Butter and Jam | First Thursdays (Sept 4, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4) 12 PM | Student Life Center | All students are welcome to the peanut butter and jam sandwich making station to enjoy while students who play instruments are invited to this lunchtime jam. |
| Visits with Miss Louie – Destress and Pet a Therapy Dog | First Fridays (Sept 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5) 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Student Life Center, 3rd Floor | |
| Visits with Miss Louie – Destress and Pet a Therapy Dog | Second Fridays (Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12) 11 AM – 12 PM | Brown Library | |
| Drop the Beat – Deal the Cards! | 2nd and 4th Tuesdays (Sept 9, Sept 23, Oct 14, Oct 28, Nov 11, Dec 9) 12 PM | Student Life Center, 3rd Floor | Join your VP of Student Affairs for music, friendly UNO, and a chance to connect and share your thoughts and experiences! |
| Weekly Nutrition with Registered Dietician Holly | Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 AM – 1 PM (Drop-in) | Student Life Center, 3rd Floor | |
| American Red Cross Blood Drive: Save a Life! | Monday, Sept 15 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Student Life Center, 3rd Floor | Appointments available at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins welcome! |
| Constitution Day Celebration and Cupcake Bar | Wednesday, Sept 26 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Outside Chapman Hall | |
| Hispanic Heritage Month – Virtual Trivia Event | Kicks off Friday, Sept 26 | Find the link in your Student Bulletin or on Social Media! | |
| Pumpkin Celebration: Pumpkin Painting and More | Tuesday, Oct 21 10:30 AM – 3 PM | Student Life Center | |
| The Blood Connection – Bloodmobile | Wednesday, Oct 29 11 AM – 4 PM | STEM Parking Lot | Walk-ins welcome |
| Appreciation and Gratitude Cards Station | Tuesday, Nov 18 – Thursday Nov 20 | Student Life Center and Brown Library | |
| Exam Week Break Cart | Monday, Dec 1 – Thursday, Dec 4 | Look for us around campus! |
Special Events
Warm Welcome – Club and Resource Fair
Wednesday, Sept 10: 10 AM – 1 PM
Outside Chapman Hall
Learn more about Virginia Western’s clubs, services and resources for student success. Free Kona Ice and caricatures!
Catching Pinecones Documentary Screening
Wednesday, Oct 1: 6:00 PM
Whitman Theater
Recreation Coordinator Chad Heddleston has spent his spare time the last five years filming and directing a documentary about Jan Conn, a woman who lived a life of adventure. See the movie, followed by remarks and questions!
Off Campus Activities
Virginia Western Night at the Salem Red Sox Stadium
Friday, September 5: First pitch at 6:35 PM
Enjoy a night at the stadium with other Virginia Western students! Every student can receive up to 2 tickets, so bring a friend! Make sure to stay for the Friday night postgame fireworks! Get your FREE tickets at the Student Activities Fitness Desk (1st Floor) beginning August 25th! (Limit 2 per person)
Common Clay Pottery Studio “Try It” Class: Roanoke
Friday, October 10: 1 PM – 3:45 PM
Ever wanted to dabble in clay? This one-time class will let you try handbuilding or wheel throwing to give this artistic medium a try! Sign up with Student Activities to reserve your spot; $5 covers all materials and instruction.
Fall Train Trip: Charlottesville, Virginia
Sunday, October 12: Meet at platform by 8 AM; Return at approx. 10 PM
Start your day with a scenic train ride, viewing the Virginia countryside in autumn. Then, spend the day exploring Charlottesville before returning back on the train that evening. Sign up with Student Activities to reserve your spot; $10 covers Amtrak ticket.
Trip to the Historic Barter Theater: Abingdon, VA
(Anne of Green Gables: The Musical)
Friday, October 17: Leave campus at 2 PM; return approx. midnight
An imaginative orphan, Anne, is mistakenly sent to live at Green Gables farm, where she learns to find love, family, and belonging on Prince Edward Island. Sign up with Student Activities to reserve your spot; $15 covers ticket, transportation, and dinner.
American Shakespeare Center: Romeo and Juliet
Thursday, November 6: Leave campus at 8 AM; Return approx. 3:30 PM
See Shakespeare’s work in the world famous Blackfriar’s Theater in Staunton, Virginia. The group will eat lunch together after the show. Sign up with Student Activities to reserve your spot; $10 covers ticket, transportation and lunch.
STEM Speaker: Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Wednesday, November 12: Leave campus at 3 PM; Return approx. 11:30 PM
Everyone’s favorite astrophysicist will be in Charlottesville to deliver a talk. Virginia Western has secured a very limited number of seats. Sign up with Student Activities to reserve your spot; $20 covers event ticket and transportation.
Student Leadership
Advisor Inservice Meeting
Monday, Aug 18: 12 PM
Fralin Center HP208
VCCS Student Leadership Conference at Hotel Roanoke
Friday, Nov 14 – Sunday, Nov 16
Student Council Meetings
Monday, Sept 29; Monday, Oct 27; Monday, Nov 24: 2 PM
Student Roundtable with Dr. Treanor
Stay tuned for opportunities to connect with our new college president!
Staff
| Brown, Kayla | |
|---|---|
| Student Activities Specialist Student Life Center S307C | | |
| Caldwell, Sharon | |
| Group Fitness Instructor Student Life Center S113 | |
| Cosma, Lucy | |
| Group Fitness Instructor Student Life Center Fitness Ce | |
| Drougas, Holly | |
| Nutrition Instructor Student Life Center S100 | | |
| Heddleston, Chad | |
| Recreation Coordinator Student Life Center S113 | | |
| Kraemer, Rebecca | |
| Fralin Futures Success Coach Student Life Center S206D | | |
| Lee, Natasha | |
| Student Activities Coordinator Student Life Center S307A | | |
| Surface, Zachary | |
| Fitness Assistant Student Life Center Fitness Ce | |
Contact Us
Student Life Center S307
540-857-6326
nlee@virginiawestern.edu
Hours of Operation
Fall 2025 Semester:
Fitness Center (1st Floor): 8 AM – 6 PM, Monday – Friday. Closed Saturday – Sunday.
Student Activities & Food Pantry (3rd Floor): 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday.
The above hours are subject to change based on the campus events schedule.
All posted hours exclude holidays and school closings.
VWCC Alerts
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