More Than A Vacation

Judges give the 25th anniversary summer alumni college (More Than A Vacation) HIGH MARKS!! The watermelon seed-spitting contest is a throw back to some of the earliest gatherings of MTAV -- and turns out, it's still a lot of fun. Judges helped choose a spitter with accomplishments in distance as well as style.

What’s More Than A Vacation?

Our summer alumni college is called “More Than A Vacation” because it’s like a vacation…but it’s MORE! You’ll learn, laugh, explore, and find that a lifetime of learning is still not long enough. Each year we hear from alumni and faculty members who share about topics they’re passionate about. We visit sites in the region in and around Southwest Virginia. We talk about history, literature, current events, art, sports, nature, music, and more. In 2018 the event celebrated a 25th anniversary, and it was unforgettable!

Everyone needs a vacation…but we can give you more. Take a peek at last year’s schedule and get an idea of what happens. Then plan to join us for the next event!

Check out the 2018 Schedule.

More Than A Vacation began its 25th anniversary celebration with a “faux formal.” Longtime pals, Ginny Rowland Barker (’59) and Betty Allred Staples (’58) got into their faux outifts for real spirit!

At MTAV, Alumni gather with friends, family and even former faculty members. Dr. Beverly Clark III (’99) reminisced with his former Physics professor,
Dr. Mike Duffy in 2018.

MTAV Moments to Remember

Back in 2002, MTAV participants read "Big Stone Gap" together before heading to BSG for a tour of the town and a fried chicken lunch at the Methodist Church. In 2018, participants got to meet the author, Adriana Trigiani (right) and her sister Mary (center). Monica Hoel (E&H '85) was just happy to be there.

More Than A Vacation July 24-28, 2019.

Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!
Speakers at the 25th annual More Than A Vacation summer alumni college ranged from Physicist (Dr. Beverly R. Clark III) to Politician (Dr. Thomas R. Morris) to Ornithologist (Bill Williams) to Historians (Dr. Ken Noe and Dr. Charles Sydnor). We had a seed-spitting contest, a wine and chocolate pairing, a trip to West Jefferson, NC, and an evening with author Adriana Trigiani. What an anniversary!