Oct. 8, 2014

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collegiatetimes.com

111th YEAR, ISSUE 27

October 8, 2014

COLLEGIATETIMES An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

ALEXA JOHNSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES

2016 has arrived

The Class of 2016’s ring premiere finished with a bang after a rainy night with fireworks on the Drillfield. See page 5 for an up-close look at the ring.

Golf continues strong play Tech drone used in search for Graham throughout season MITCHELL VAN OSTENBRIDGE sports reporter

The men’s golf team is returning from a bye week to Jonesborough, Tennessee, to compete in the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate at Blackthorn Golf Club. The event, which begins on Friday, will mark the fourth event of the Hokie’s already successful season. The team enters the event having placed in the top-10 of every event so far this season. Alongside the top-10 finishes is a victory at the VCU Shootout.

The Hokies defended their back-to-back titles at the Shootout posting a three-day team total of one over par. The win marks the third year in a row that the Hokies have topped the leaderboard in the VCU-sponsored event. The Hokies were carried by scoring leader Trevor Cone and junior Maclain Huge. Huge finished in a solo second with a total score of two under par while Cone placed just behind Huge, tying for third with one under par, 215. The Hokies continued their positive play into the next week,

Virginia Tech sent drones to Albemarle County to aid in the continuing search for UVA student Hannah Graham.

finishing fourth at the Primland Collegiate Invitational. Hosted by Wake Forest University, the event took place over three days at the Primland Resort in southern Virginia. The Invitational was the first event of the year in which Virginia Tech faced off against multiple ACC rivals including UNC, Virginia and Wake Forest. Individually, Cone finished in the top-10 yet again, ending the tournament tied for seventh place with a stellar 10 underthree day total. Cone’s finish gives him a top

RICHARD CHUMNEY news staff writer

see GOLF / page 6

B is for... Blacksburg The Blacksburg Partnership recently released a picture book to showcase the town. CHARLOTTE I’ANSON lifestyles staff writer

A new addition to the Vi rgi n ia Te ch Book store arrived early this month, in the form of “Blacksburg A to Z,” an illustrated look at all things Blacksburg. “We’re thrilled to highlight the many great qualities of our community,” said Diane Akers, president of The Blacksburg Partnership, the non-profit behind the book. The book s h owc a s e s illustrations by James Balkovek and covers the most famous Blacksburg spots that continue to attract Hokies young and old. From the Lyric Theatre to Hokie football, this book aims to represent the arts, culture and sports that make up Virginia’s highest populated town. A lt hough most Hok ies would find it hard to miss icons like Burruss Hall and Lane Stadium, the book also explores lesser-known sights in and around Blacksburg.

COURTESY OF THE BLACKSBURG PARTNERSHIP

‘Blacksburg A to Z’ features illustrations by James Balkovek. see BOOK / page 5

Hannah Graham A Virginia Tech unmanned aerial system, or drone, was recently used by Albermarle County in the ongoing search for missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. The Aeryon SkyRanger, which features a 360-degree view ca mera a nd fou r propellers, flew two missions along the Rivanna River bank from Oct. 1-2, according to John Coggin, the Chief Engineer of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Pa r tnership, an organization within Virginia Tech’s Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences. Though the flights did not lead the police to any new information, it did help to clear large areas of previously uncleared land. “After two days police were developing new leads that had them wanting to look at another area further east,” Coggin said. “Knowing that the area had been searched was a helpful resource for the police.” The partnership began after Tom Dolan, a retired Nassau County Police helicopter pilot and search volunteer, suggested the use of an

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CAMPUS MOVIEFEST RETURNS

Discussion centered on scientific advancements.

Former MovieFest winner shares Hollywood experience.

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unmanned aircraft. Dolan contacted Aurora Flight Sciences who then connected the Albermarle County Police with Coggin. Coggin agreed to assist the search, but before the drone could get into the air, the MAAP team needed to receive per m ission from the Federa l Av i a t io n Administration. An emergency Certificate of Author ization, which according to Coggin is “a document which allows a public entity like Virginia Tech to fly a UAS in the national airspace under some rigorous constraints,” was submitted to the FAA on Sept. 30 at noon. Within the COA was a detailed explanation of possible search areas, launch areas and aircraft routes.

After two days police were developing new leads that had them wanting to look at another area further east.” John Coggin Chief Engineer

The COA was swiftly approved later that afternoon at around 3:30 p.m., a testament to MAAP’s preparedness in dealing with emergency situations, which is a priority of the organization’s mission. “Our plan was that the Virginia Tech test site would be a liaison between Virginia’s first responders and the FAA,” Coggin said. “That’s where

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see DRONE / page 2

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