Virginia Tech's Corps of Cadets will host cadets from military schools across the country at the 2010 Leadership Conference.

The conference is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday and will feature a keynote address by Lt. Eric Greitens, founder of The Mission Continues, an organization that helps disabled and wounded veterans serve in leadership roles, according to a news release.

Greitens is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Thursday in Burruss Hall.

Seminars will focus on leadership and technology, recruiting and retention, and peer leadership.

The Tech Corps of Cadets was founded in 1872 and is one of two remaining military corps operating at a civilian university, according to a news release.

For information, call 231-9455 or visit www.vtcc.vt.edu/conference.

Radford eyes commuter emissions

As part of its newly instituted climate and sustainability program, Radford University has measured the emissions generated by employee commuting.

A study by the university's Sustainability Steering Committee shows that faculty and staff commuted more than 7 million miles in 2009, producing up to 2,500 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the release stated.

The average round-trip commute for full-time faculty was estimated at about 33 miles, compared with 27 miles for nonteaching staff.

The university is also studying is electricity use.

Both studies are part of an overall strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The studies will help in the development of programs such as ride-sharing and other conservation initiatives, the release stated.

The committee was formed in 2008 and is part of President Penelope Kyle's sustainability initiatives.

RU, area schools champion technology with grant

Radford University's education department is partnering with area public schools and New River Community College to boost technology education through a $1.6 million grant project.

The two-year Enhancing Education Through Technology grant will facilitate teaching and learning in Pulaski County and Radford schools, as well as Radford University and New River Community College through use of technology, according to a university news release.

The project has three major components: location-aware mobile games and simulations development, iPod Touch applications development, and faculty professional development and education.

Virginia Tech to hold Haiti quake discussion

Virginia Tech's Phi Beta Delta international honor society and the Graduate Student Assembly will sponsor an expert panel discussion on the Haitian earthquake and recovery efforts.

The event is set for 7 p.m. today at the Graduate Life Center on Otey Street.

Featured speakers will include Tech faculty and researchers, who will discuss issues such as national security, food supply, international aid and technology, and recovery.

For more information, e-mail bettyw@vt.edu or call 231-6452.

Tech adds hybrids to vehicle fleet

As part of a climate action plan approved in 2009, Virginia Tech has added five new hybrid vehicles to its motor pool fleet, the university announced.

The five new Honda Insights replace lower-mileage vehicles. The fleet already boasted some hybrid Ford Escapes and Chevrolet Malibus, all acquired in the past four years.

The Insight is expected to have a fuel efficiency rating of 40 to 43 miles per gallon.

Visit tinyurl.com/ye6ojzn for more information.

Free software helps save electricity

Software developed by two Virginia Tech professors that helps computer users conserve electricity is being offered free to Windows software users.

Blacksburg-based MiserWare Inc., founded by Tech professors Kirk Cameron and Joseph Turner in 2007, offers energy-saving technologies developed for PCs, laptops and servers.

The company is offering its software free of charge to Windows users, according to a university news release.

The software works on Windows-based computers and can extend the battery life of laptops. Server administrators could see energy savings of up to 35 percent, or $100 to $200 per year, the news release stated. Visit twitter.com/miserware for more information.