Thomas H. Mills III honored with emeritus status
Thomas H. Mills III, associate professor of building construction in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emeritus title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 31 years, Mills published over 80 manuscripts, received recognition by the Associated Schools of Construction as an outstanding researcher, and taught over 2,000 students with nearly 5,000 enrollments in his classes throughout his career. Mills led the Center for Innovation in Construction Safety, Health and Well-being, utilizing substantial federal research funding to improve the welfare of construction workers.
Mills established the former Department of Building Construction’s first career fair with 24 companies and established an internship program that placed 18 students in its first year. Annually this career fair attracts more than 200 companies and places hundreds of students into jobs and internships.
Mills led the development of a practice-based experimental curriculum implemented by building construction, aspects of which have been studied and used by other construction management programs across the nation. In addition, Mills taught and mentored the alumni who founded Procon Consulting, whose owners just recently became benefactors for the naming of the Procon Innovation Center.
Mills held various recognitions for his work, including the 2022 College of Architecture and Urban Studies Lifetime Contribution Award. The College of Architecture and Urban Studies is now the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design.
Mills served as a coach for undergraduate students, leading Virginia Tech’s construction students to many wins in the Associated Schools of Construction competitions. In addition, Mills served as president of the International Honor Society for Construction Management, Sigma Lambda Chi, from 2008 to 2010. He has continued to serve on the board of directors for Sigma Lambda Chi.
Mills received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech.
Written by Anja Hemesath, a senior and a student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications