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Virginia Tech Raises $5 Million to Expand Sustainable Land Development Initiative
A Virginia Tech graduate has pledged his $5 million to the Charles E. Via Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to expand learning initiatives in sustainable rural development, the university announced Monday.
The Bowman Sustainable Land Development Program, named after 1980 alumnus Gary Bowman, incorporates an academic component of sustainable land development for undergraduate and graduate students and is currently in the second year of the master’s program. course is also included.
The program will also include a land development design initiative that will be renamed but will continue to serve as a portal for individuals and organizations in the land development industry to contribute to the curriculum and connect with students.
With a degree in civil and environmental engineering from the Institute of Technology, Bowman founded Bowman Consulting in 1995 as a small company focused on planning and designing his communities throughout Northern Virginia. The company has grown into a publicly traded design and consulting firm with her 1,700 employees and offices throughout the United States.
Launched around 2005, the Land Development Design Initiative began as a collaborative effort between the Via division and experts across the land development industry. As well as providing classroom mentorship, the initiative is also committed to introducing students to career opportunities in industries such as urban engineering, real estate, and sustainability specializations.
Bowman has served on the Faculty of Engineering Advisory Board and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association. He is also a member of Via’s prestigious Alumni Academy. In the early days of the Land Development Design Initiative, Bowman was a member of the program’s governing body. Bowman’s wife Terry and son Greg are both graduates of Pamplin College of Business.
“This program has stood the test of time and has grown into a mature program that trains a huge number of students,” Bowman said. “We hope this gift will be the beginning of a new level of support for the program, ensuring its long-term sustainability and providing the resources to continue to grow and evolve.”