Constructing a life of service
The Clark Scholars Program helped Joe Tramontano '25 turn a passion for construction into a purpose-driven career.
Few Virginia Tech students can say they helped build the campus itself — but Joe Tramontano '25, who studied in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction as an undergraduate and continues now as a graduate student, can.
From summers spent on job sites to working during the school year, he contributed to major construction projects on the Blacksburg campus, including the new Undergraduate Science Laboratory, gaining hands-on experience long before graduation. But he would never have been at Virginia Tech as an undergraduate at all without the A. James Clark Scholars Program.
Established through a gift from the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation, the Clark Scholars Program was created to reduce financial barriers to education and cultivate the next generation of engineering leaders. The program currently supports 40 Virginia Tech students who show strong academic potential, leadership, and a dedication to community service.
“Being a Clark Scholar has allowed me to find my passion and define who I am and who I want to be in the construction industry and in society,” said Tramontano.
Clark Scholars receive full financial aid to cover their undergraduate tuition along with access to mentorship, hands-on research, and leadership development opportunities, empowering them to become innovative problem-solvers who can make a lasting impact in their fields and communities. It supports Virginia Tech’s commitment to provide a high-quality educational experience to all students regardless of income through Virginia Tech Advantage, a universitywide effort to increase financial support and resources for in-state undergraduates.
As part of the 2021 Clark Scholars cohort, Tramontano participated in the Summer Academy program, an initiative now called Summer Start that provided an academic head start on classes while fostering strong connections within his cohort, easing the transition to college and building a lasting peer network.
“I think one of the best things about the Clark Scholars Program is that it provided me with a community from day one on campus,” said Tramontano. “I had a group of fellow students who were also new to Blacksburg to foster good relationships with, and advisors like Christina Martin and Myers-Lawson School of Construction advisor Sharon Williams, who do an outstanding job of making sure that we have everything we need to be successful at Virginia Tech. The first few weeks on campus can be scary, but having that support was very helpful.”
Hands-on service
Inspired by years of watching his mom and dad take pride in their work at a construction company, Tramontano realized his true passion lay in following his roots by pursuing a degree in construction engineering and management.
“I decided to pursue a career in construction, not just for the cool buildings but also for the people,” Tramontano said. “I knew being around people who take pride in their work and go the extra mile would make going to work easier everyday.”
Tramontano pursued hands-on construction internships with companies such as Moore's Electrical and Mechanical, Skanska USA Building, and Gilbane Building Company, which allowed him to work on Virginia Tech buildings. He also led STEM outreach programs for local elementary and middle school students, exemplifying the Clark Scholars Program’s emphasis on experiential learning and professional development.
“It's been really cool to be immersed in a little bit of everything,” Tramontano said. “The Clark Scholars Program and the Myers-Lawson School of Construction put a lot of time and effort into making sure we are prepared to enter the workforce. It’s always a personal effort on the students’ part, but they also set us up for success by hosting networking events like Safety Day and the career fair to get us exposure to lots of different companies in the industry. It takes a lot of time and effort, but they greatly support us.”
Blueprint for success
The Clark Scholars Program covered Tramontano’s undergraduate tuition, reinforcing its mission to remove financial barriers for students.
After earning his degree in construction engineering management in May, Tramontano returned to Blacksburg this fall to pursue a master’s degree in building construction science and management. While the Clark Scholars Program does not extend to graduate studies, Tramontano earned a graduate teaching assistantship in part because the program laid a strong foundation for his academic success.
“During my time at Virginia Tech, I’ve heard many motivational speeches about kindness and living Ut Prosim,” said Tramontano. “I’ve always tried to be service-minded, doing small things every day because you don’t have to make a big impact in one day. For me, that’s the mission — helping the Virginia Tech community and creating spaces that improve everyday life. The Clark Scholars Program does an incredible job of teaching and modeling what it means to serve and support those around you.”
Tramontano is looking forward to joining the construction industry with Gilbane Building Company after graduation, but you might see him again on campus one day. Inspired by the mentorship and support he received as a Clark Scholar, he hopes to return to Virginia Tech as a professor of practice after spending time in the industry.
