Charlie Phlegar honored with emeritus status
Charlie Phlegar ’79, M.A. ’87 has been conferred the title of senior vice president emeritus for advancement 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 10 years, Phlegar made significant contributions serving as the university’s first vice president for advancement and as senior vice president for advancement, leading the Advancement Division to national and global recognition for excellence in fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing, and communications. Under his transformative leadership, the university more than doubled the undergraduate alumni giving rate, reached historic highs in annual new gifts and commitments, and achieved a five-year average of more than $232 million in new gifts, an all-time high for the institution.
Phlegar spearheaded landmark initiatives such as the Boundless Impact campaign, with a goal of raising $1.872 billion and engaging 120,000 alumni. His team coordinated the university’s 150th anniversary, and Phlegar played a central role in top university priorities, including the new Virginia Tech academic building in Alexandria, Virginia Tech Advantage, and Virginia Tech Global Distinction.
Under his leadership, Advancement successfully relaunched the university’s brand, established the Center for Advancing Partnerships, and strengthened the roles of university volunteer boards. He helped secure Virginia Tech’s place among the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, where he has been a leading voice in the advancement profession, contributing to the development of global metrics for fundraising and alumni engagement.
Phlegar brought a wealth of experience and impact from previous leadership roles at East Carolina University, the University of South Carolina, Johns Hopkins University, and Cornell University, where he helped launch a $6 billion campaign and served on the Cornell Tech Steering Committee, which secured a new campus on New York City’s Roosevelt Island.
Phlegar has exemplified the Virginia Tech spirit of service, using his deep knowledge and passion for the university to forge meaningful connections between donors and institutional priorities and to elevate the institution’s philanthropic culture and national reputation.
Phlegar received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Virginia Tech.
