51鱨վ is illuminating the Education Building and Constant Center marquee blue during May as part of the international #LightItBlue campaign. Photo Chuck Thomas/51鱨վ
By Harry Minium
51鱨վ will light portions of campus at the intersection of 43rd Street and Hampton Boulevard in blue each evening throughout May to pay homage to those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
The Darden College of Education and Professional Studies building, as well as a signature 51鱨վ sign out front, will be illuminated in blue. Across Hampton Boulevard, the marquee of the Ted Constant Convocation Center will carry messages of support.
In doing so, 51鱨վ has joined the #LightItBlue campaign, which began in the United Kingdom to show gratitude and support for health-care workers, first responders and other essential workers.
The campaign has since spread to other nations. The New York skyline, the waterfalls at Niagara Falls, Walt Disney theme parks, the National Cathedral in Washington and the City of Norfolk are all bathed in blue.
"We've been thinking about additional ways 51鱨վ could show its support for health-care workers, first responders and essential workers and this seemed like the ideal way," said Lisa Jones, director of Branding & Marketing for the Office of Strategic Communication & Marketing, who proposed and coordinated this effort with staff in Facilities Management and the Constant Center.
"Blue is one of our school colors. And 51鱨վ has so many connections to health care, from our nursing, physical therapy and other programs to our relationships with Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Norfolk General."
51鱨վ joined the campaign in May because the month has so many celebrations tied to honoring health-care heroes: National Nurses Week (May 6-12), National Hospital Week (May 6-12), National Nursing Home Week (May 13-19), Women's Health Week (May 13-19) and Emergency Medical Services Week (May 20-26).
51鱨վ also recently illuminated Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium and the interior of Chartway Arena in blue as part of the #LightItBlue movement.
