The Roanoke Times reports that Google CEO Eric Schmidt has given Virginia Tech a $2 million gift to the College of Engineering. Apparently, Schmidt grew up in Blacksburg and was the son of a professor. The longer I live here, the more successful former residents and alumni I read about.
Schmidt, who received master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, spoke at Tech’s commencement in 1999 at Torgersen’s request. He’s given to Tech before, establishing the Wilson E. Schmidt Endowed Professorship in Economics at the university with a $250,000 gift in honor of his late father in 1999.
The endowed chair will be used by Engineering Dean Richard Benson at his discretion to support students and programs in the college. Benson said in an e-mail Thursday that the gift will allow him to fulfill his vision for the college.
“The idea that Eric Schmidt would think so much of Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering, when he did not obtain his degree here, is overwhelming,” he said.
