Residential property management students benefit from VHDA scholarships

The Residential Property Management program at Virginia Tech was honored with a $150,000 gift from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). VHDA’s Board of Commissioners recently approved a strategic plan that includes a stronger focus on property management.

The Residential Property Management program, which is in the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, was the first program in the country and has served as the model for several other universities.

“I was thrilled when I learned VHDA was considering a scholarship for our residential property management students,” said Rosemary Goss, Residential Property Management Advisory Board Professor. “The VHDA wants to ensure that communities view affordable housing as an asset and quality management is crucial to its acceptance in the community,” said Goss.

VHDA Executive Director Susan F. Dewey recently traveled to Blacksburg to present a check to establish the VHDA Hokie Memorial Residential Property Management Scholarship Fund. Recipients must be juniors or seniors in the RPM program with at least a B average. Preference will be given to students from Virginia.

The first scholarship was awarded for the spring 2008 semester to Will Thomas, a senior from Midlothian, Va. “I am grateful to the be recipient of the first $2000 award,” said Thomas, noting that the scholarship will be a great help to his family.

“With the help of our generous donors and the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, VHDA far exceeded its goal for this scholarship fund,” said Dewey. “As a result, the authority will now fund two scholarships annually for qualified students in Virginia Tech’s Residential Property Management Program.”