Courtesy of Virginia Tech

Participants in the 2008 4-H State Congress spell out "VT" on the Drillfield.

Elements of the work-in-progress Virginia Tech solar house entry in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon will be on display in the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke from June 12 to Aug. 23. Students will showcase their house's louvering system, Eclipsis, as part of the museum's "Eclipsis/LumenHaus" exhibition.

The competition, in which universities design and build self-sufficient houses that use only solar power, will be held in October.

4-H State Congress heading to Tech

More than 600 teens, volunteers and extension agents will attend the annual 4-H State Congress at Virginia Tech from June 15 TO 18.

Virginia  4-H serves as the youth development service for the Virginia Cooperative Extension, teaching youth ages 5 to 19 skills through hands-on activities.

Workshops at this year's event will cover topics such as animal science, careers and economic education, communication and expressive arts, natural resources and the environment, citizenship and science and technology.

Program aims to boost business faculty

Eleven faculty from all over the country will take classes at Viginia Tech this summer as part of a post-doctoral program developed by the university's Pamplin College of Business to alleviate a national shortage of business school faculty.

Pamplin joined three other business schools in launching the "bridge-to-business" programs last year to prepare people with doctorates in nonbusiness disciplines for new careers as business faculty.

The program at Tech runs from June 1 to July 31. It offers tracks in finance -- for those with doctorates in economics -- and marketing -- for those with doctorates in psychology, sociology, statistics and related disciplines.

Campus prepares for garden gala

Virginia Tech's Hahn Horticulture Garden will host a "Red Carpet Gala" from 5:30 to 9 p.m. June 13 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the garden's founding. Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, drinks and music and stroll down a red carpet for a tour of the garden.

The fundraising effort includes a silent auction featuring unusual plants, art and garden items. Tickets are $50. For tickets or information, go to www.hort.vt.edu/hhg/gala.html.