Virginia Tech will close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will cancel classes on April 16 to honor victims of last year's mass shootings on campus.

President Charles Steger has decided to close the school from now on to observe the King holiday, which this year falls on January 21. Classes have been canceled for several years to honor the slain civil rights leader, but this will be the first time the entire school has closed.

Meanwhile, administrative offices will remain open April 16 because there will be a number of programs that day. It's the first anniversary of the deaths of 33 students and faculty members on campus.

University Provost Mark McNamee said planned events will help students and staff with the recovery process.