Invest in the School of Engineering
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Please contact the VCU School of Engineering Foundation at (804) 828-2909 or engineering@vcu.edu to discuss philanthropic opportunities.
Since first opening its doors in 1995, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering continues to be a remarkable example of the transformative power of public and private partnerships.
Private support made possible the construction of East and West halls and the establishment of professorships and scholarships — as well as the development of co-curricular programming that provides students with the tools they need to become the next generation of innovative engineers, and faculty with the funding to embark on groundbreaking research.
Engineering a difference
Approximately $7 million is provided annually to the School of Engineering by alumni, parents and corporate and community friends. This outstanding legacy of support is vital to the school’s growth and development and greatly benefits our faculty and students. The following are just a few examples of your dollars at work.
Academic and co-curricular program support
Unrestricted annual fund gifts and gifts to support specific academic departments and co-curricular programming in the School of Engineering are invaluable sources of funding. They fund such needs as visiting lecturers, career development programming, laboratory and facility maintenance, tutoring and support for student organizations and leadership programs. Annual funds provide opportunities to enrich the educational experience for engineering students both in and outside the classroom.
Student support
About one-third of incoming freshmen attend the School of Engineering on scholarship each year. Gifts to establish or supplement annual or endowed scholarships help VCU attract the highest caliber students and directly help those in need complete their degrees. Endowed fellowships enable graduate students to attend VCU and pursue advanced and highly technological research initiatives.
Support for faculty
Endowed professorships and chairs allow the School of Engineering to attract and retain top faculty from around the country to continue their teaching and research at VCU. Annual gifts also provide critical resources to support entrepreneurial research and teaching initiatives. Gifts from parents recognize faculty for their excellence in teaching and research mentoring.
Support for student innovation and STEM community programming
Private support of the senior design program provides critical funds that furnish students with the materials they need to create multidisciplinary design innovations of their choosing. These funds enable the School of Engineering to share the prototypes with the greater Richmond community at the Senior Design Expo, an event attended by approximately 1,000 visitors annually. Middle and high school students are invited to attend the expo free of charge.
Support for capital projects
The School of Engineering’s capital projects, both planned and under way, represent the aspirations of VCU in physical form. These projects include the construction of new facilities, additions and improvements to existing buildings on campus, and acquisition of land or buildings.