Giving Opportunities in English Writing Center
The Virginia Tech Writing Center was established on the principle that all graduates of Virginia Tech would have a solid foundation in writing, speaking, and critical reading skills.
This Center has the potential to have a significant impact on the university and its students. In addition to its tutoring services in Shanks 340, the Writing Center offers walk-in support in the library on three nights a week. Center staff collaborate with Engineering Education in peer-led study groups for first-year engineering students. The Center also collaborates with Student Tutoring Services in Athletics. If the Center expanded its services, it could work with architects, engineers, and business students in their senior capstone projects. It could expand services for English language learners.
Until 2006, all tutors were trained volunteers. Recognizing the value of the Center to the academic success of students, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and the Provost have generously provided funds to pay the tutors through spring 2008; additional support and long-term funding through gifts would ensure stability and growth in services.
Benefits beyond the University
Writing well helps employees at all levels and helps a company get its work done effectively. The Writing Center at Virginia Tech serves students in all disciplines. Writing Centers across the country improve retention rates and improve success not just in writing-intensive classes but any class where clarity of thought and expression matters. Students who learn to write well become employees who write well.
Gift Possibilities
A gift of |
would enable the WritingCenter to |
$10,000 |
Provide 80 additional tutoring hours per semester—for one year. |
$8,000 |
Staff the “Night Owl” center in the library with two tutors Sunday through Thursday—for one year |
$17,000 |
Provide an instructor to train and supervise peer tutors in the Athletic Tutoring Center as well as provide tutoring to athletes—for one year |
$2,500 |
Send two staff persons to professional development conferences to bring back the best new knowledge about writing centers |
An endowment of |
would |
$100,000 |
Establish capstone project support in a particular discipline by supporting tutors with specialized knowledge |
$100,000 |
Provide leadership and professional development opportunities to enable the Virginia Tech Writing Center to grow into one of the best in the country |
$250,000 |
Establish a strong collaboration with Athletics to ensure that student athletes are given the support they need to graduate with good communication skills |
of $2 million |
|
Throughout the country, some of the best Writing Centers are named for funding sponsors who have donated or endowed substantial amounts so that the Center can continue with some of the most crucial work on campus—teaching our students to be strong, independent communicators.
Centers like the following are known across the nation for their innovative work with students and their contributions to knowledge in the field of writing instruction:
- William L. Adams Center for Writing at TCU
- Gayle Morris Sweetland Writing Center at the University of Michigan
- Rutgers Writing Center
- Norman H. Ott Memorial Writing Center at Marquette University
- Phyllis A. Keltner University Writing Center at the University of Arkansas
- Wausau Homes Writing Center at Wisconsin-MC
Such Centers are able to contribute significantly to their universities’ goal of preparing students for the complex communication tasks that will face them after graduation.
For more information, please contact
Diana George, Director of the Writing Center, 540.231.6566, dianag@vt.edu
Carolyn Rude, Department Chair, 540.231.8466, carolyn.rude@vt.edu