Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – During Virginia Tech's 2019 Fall University Commencement Ceremony and the Graduate School Commencement, the school estimates it will honor more than 2,500 students who completed their academic degrees during the summer and fall terms, both of which take place in Cassell Coliseum on Friday.
The undergraduate ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. and the graduate commencement is at 2:30 p.m. There will be over a dozen Tech student-athletes honored Friday and includes five women's soccer players. Former goalkeeper Zoe Foxhall, who finished her career in 2018, will walk across the stage on Friday to pick up her diploma, while 2019 Hokies Kelsey Irwin, Mikayla Mance, Mandy McGlynn and Jaylyn Thompson have finished their academic careers at Tech as well.
As the departures of Tech's seven seniors from the 2019 season begins, it's a good time for those leaving this December to reflect on their time in Blacksburg. Voorhees, New Jersey native Jaylyn Thompson is next featured in this week's "Farewell" Q&A series.
Q: What will you be earning your degree in?
A: Human, Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise.
Q: Why did you pursue this educational path?
A: I wasn't sure what I wanted to be when I came in as a freshman but I knew for sure I wanted to do something in the health field. I have always been fascinated by science and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have learned in my major.
Q: Are you walking in December? Who will be here for the ceremony?
A: I am walking in December 2019. So far my mom has informed me of 15 of my family members that will be in attendance, so I will definitely be represented in the crowd!
Q: What are your future plans?
A: My future plans are to pursue a professional soccer career and then head to medical school.
Q: What will earning a degree from Virginia Tech mean to you?
A: Earning a degree from a school like Virginia Tech means everything to me. There has been an awesome balance here of athletics and academics and VT has provided me all the tools I will need in the future to be successful.
Q: What was your favorite memory during your time here with VTWS?
A: My favorite memory during my time here with VTWS was traveling to Costa Rica last summer as a team. Playing different competition and experiencing another culture was awesome and something I'll always remember. I know a lot of schools and players don't get to do this with their teams so I am grateful that we had this opportunity.
Q: What will you miss most about being on the VTWS team?
A: What I will miss the most about VTWS is being in the same town as all of my best friends. It is crazy to think that we will all be across the country or the world after graduation.
Q: What advice would you give to the underclassmen or the newest recruits coming into the program?
A: Enjoy every moment and take it all in because the four years will go by so fast.
Q: What was the most impactful thing to you, with being a part of this program?
A: The most impactful thing about being a part of this program and being a part of Virginia Tech athletics is all of the amazing people I've met and the connections I now have because of this school. Hokie Nation is such a family and I'm so happy I decided to become a part of a community like this!
Final thoughts from Jaylyn in an Instagram post