Myers-Lawson School of Construction's 20th Anniversary

We gather to honor two decades of vision, of leadership, partnerships, seeing top graduates in the nation, innovative research, and engaging outreach that have shaped this school from a mere experiment to arguably the number one school of construction in the country. We want students that are doing hands-on work and are not just learning about theory, but they're ready to go out into whatever job they take, right, and translate what they've learned at Virginia Tech into the real world. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the founders of the Myers Lawson School of Construction, Ross Myers and John Lawson. It was 1972. I was graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in civil engineering. And I was going back to work with my father in our family business. And I was sitting there at graduation thinking, man, I don't know what I'm getting into because they didn't have any construction courses. There's no magic formula. Continual improvement, trying to get better every day makes a difference. And surrounding yourself with really good people. I am so grateful to Virginia Tech for providing me the foundation to establish myself as a leader. Construction is cool y'all and I hope all of the students here tonight grow to love our craft just as much as I do. I'd like to conclude with a toast. So to the past and the foundation built by so many in this room and especially to our founders, Ross Myers and John Lawson, who made all of this possible. Here's to another 20 years.

campus experience 2:10 Myers-Lawson School of Construction's 20th Anniversary

By:

Clark Dehart

6 May 2026 57

For 20 years, the Myers-Lawson School of Construction has been shaping leaders in the nation’s critical construction industry. We spend an evening celebrating with the two visionary founders, A. Ross Myers and John R. Lawson II.

Academics

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Global Impact