Giving back, moving forward
Philanthropy at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech thrives because Hokies give — alumni, friends, students, parents, and partners collectively contributed nearly $241.6 million in 2024-25. Their generosity helps students pursue opportunities they might never have imagined, from scholarships to cutting-edge research.
As of June 30, the Boundless Impact Campaign has raised nearly $1.877 billion, surpassing its goal two years early, and supporting initiatives like Virginia Tech Advantage, expanding access for undergraduates, and Global Distinction, fueling faculty innovation and discovery.
Every gift — big or small — creates real impact. The following stories highlight the ways philanthropy transforms student experiences, advances research, and strengthens the Hokie community. Together, we ensure Virginia Tech remains a place where talent thrives, ideas flourish, and the next generation of leaders is empowered to make a difference.
Gift propels research
Thanks to the generosity of an alumnus, Virginia Tech has become one of the world’s first public research universities to endow a research center in the growing field that synthesizes philosphy, politics, and economics.
Electrical engineering graduate David H. Kellogg ’82 recently committed a $16 million estate gift to endow the research center that he helped launch with initial support. Virginia Tech introduced a minor in philosophy, politics, and economics in 2015 and a major in 2017. Over the past 10 years, enrollment in both degree programs has surged, making the university one of the few U.S. institutions recognized for excellence in both research and teaching in this interdisciplinary field of study. Today, more than 225 students are enrolled in philosophy, politics, and economics at Virginia Tech.
In addition to overseeing two degree programs, the centersupports research across the disciplines it integrates. The Kellogg Center also offers annual public lectures featuring Nobel Prize winners; MacArthur Fellows; renowned moral, political, and economic theorists; and prominent legal scholars.
Philanthropy supports student robotics team
Members of a student team at Virginia Tech are building more than robots. They’re building futures. With support from the Des Champs Chair, the VEX-U Robotics team is turning departmental backing from mechanical engineering into career-defining learning experiences.
The endowed chair, established by the late Nicholas Des Champs ’62, Ph.D. ’67 and his wife, Rebecca, in 2018, provides flexible funding that allows leadership to invest directly in student experiences. Endowed chairs, professorships, or faculty fellowships are prestigious faculty positions funded by a donation from an individual, family, or organization.
One of 120 university teams worldwide to qualify for the VEX-U Robotics World Championship, the team earned an impressive 16th place finish.
Generosity provides scholarships, fellowships
Through the vision and generosity of Gary Bowman ’80, the next generation of leaders in sustainable land development will receive critical support and recognition through a new fellowship and scholarship program within the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
In 2022, Bowman, founder of Bowman Consulting, committed more than $2 million to Virginia Tech to establish the Bowman Sustainable Land Development Program. This program trains students in sustainability and engineering design principles for land development at local, regional, and global scales. It is one of just six official program areas in the department and only the second to be endowed.
Bowman’s gift is already making a difference. For the 2025-26 academic year, three undergraduate students and three graduate students are the inaugural recipients of the Bowman Sustainable Land Development Scholarships and Fellowships.
Estate gift expands clinical trial opportunities
Scientific discoveries can change the landscape of veterinary medicine, but their true worth is never known untilthey cross the breach into real-life application for animals.Clinical trials bridge the gap between the laboratory and the veterinary clinic.
The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has newly expanded capacity to carry out clinical trials of potential new treatments and diagnostic procedures for dogs and cats thanks to a $15 million estate gift.
The Helen Dessin Spurr and Frank Arthur Spurr Jr. Endowed Research Fund for Domestic Canine and Feline Pets is a transformative gift that will enable novel treatments and diagnostic procedures to be applied in a compassionate, safe environment for the pets of owners who often have few other options and who can benefit through drastically reduced costs for treating their beloved animals.