board of visitors is the university’s primary governing organization responsible for the maintenance of the university, its property, and its students. The first board was established in 1872 by Virginia Governor Gilbert C. Walker. Since Virginia Tech is a public university, 13 of the board's 14 members are appointed by the Governor of Virginia. The fourteenth member, the president of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, serves ex officio. A minimum of 6 board members are required to be alumni of Virginia Tech and a minimum of 10 board members must be Virginia state residents.
== Academics ==
Virginia Tech offers 116 bachelor's degree programs through its nine undergraduate academic colleges, 160 master's and doctoral degree programs through the Graduate School, and a professional degree from the Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute is a public-private partnership jointly managed by Virginia …