After a football rain delay, alumnus creates a game plan for student success
A new scholarship funded by Terra Constructs CEO Babur Mian ’92, M.S. ’94 addresses the hidden costs of bridge experiences, making construction industry internships more accessible for Myers-Lawson students.
An inspiring conversation between civil engineering alumnus Babur Mian ’92, M.S. ’94 and President Tim Sands during a rain delay at a Hokie football game led to transformative experiences for undergrads through the creation of the Terra Internship Scholarship for students in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction.
While they waited out the storm, Mian, the founder, president, and CEO of Terra Constructs, talked with Sands about Virginia Tech Advantage, a program to remove barriers to student engagement in the full wealth of experiences the university offers, such as internships, study abroad, and research.
An immigrant to the United States, Mian felt driven to contribute, asking himself, “How can we make sure that any student wanting experience in the construction industry can have it?”
That fortuitous rain delay led Mian to a series of conversations with Brian Kleiner, director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction; Aaron Myers ’00, executive vice president of operations for Allan Myers; and Cory Curtain ’01, vice president of operations at Allan Myers.
Together, they devised a program called Earn While You Learn that places Myers-Lawson students who need to work during the school year in jobs with construction companies, allowing them to pay their bills while gaining valuable industry experience.
Turning barriers into bridges
Because of Mian’s deep engagement with the School of Construction, he knows how vital internships are for students’ academic, personal, and professional development.
While construction management internships are paid — and some firms even offer housing allowances — many students still face financial barriers to participation. Most have 12-month leases with off-campus apartments in Blacksburg and must pay rent during the summer months. Others have car payments, insurance, and other obligations that make affording even paid internships a significant challenge.
When Mian discovered that some students turn down internships because of economic pressures, he was shocked. “I raised my hand and said, ‘I will take care of those students.’ No one should be denied an internship because of their financial situation.”
As a natural continuation of his support for student success at Virginia Tech, he created the Terra Internship Scholarship to offset students’ living expenses during summer internships, relieving a burden that puts this essential experience out of reach for some students.
A scholarship that builds future leaders
For Tyler Tierney, a senior in building construction, the impact of Mian’s scholarship was enormous. During his first internship, Tierney slept in his car until a friend offered him a place to stay. While that experience taught him resilience and resourcefulness, receiving the Terra Internship Scholarship the next summer allowed him to take an internship with Turner Construction in their Reston office without the pressure of worrying about finances.
With the scholarship, he was able to fully embraced the challenges, growth, and learning of his summer internship. “None of this would have happened without Mr. Mian’s help,” Tierney said. “[The scholarship] can help future students and future leaders in the construction industry for years to come at Virginia Tech — students who, like me, just need a little support financially to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them despite the circumstances they may face.”
Mian’s gift also helped Evan O’Connell, a senior in construction engineering and management, who used the funds to intern with Clark Concrete in its McLean office.
“Even the most promising students can be limited in developing their careers through an internship because relocation costs can be so cumbersome and place the ideal opportunity out of reach,” said O’Connell, a first-generation college student who plans to earn his master’s degree at Virginia Tech before accepting a full-time job offer with Clark Concrete. “I am grateful for the assistance and think providing to Hokies in need lives up to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).”
Mian hopes it won’t take a rain delay to inspire other alumni and friends of Virginia Tech to support students whose financial circumstances are a barrier to opportunity. “What might you make possible for someone?” he asks.
To support students in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, give to the school's annual fund.
