Virginia Tech's former University Architect, Z. Scott Hurst, has been conferred the “University Architect emeritus” title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The title of emeritus is conferred on retired full professors and associate professors, administrative officers, extra-collegiate faculty with continued appointment, and senior extension agents who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1986, Hurst served the university as an architect in the division of Facilities Services. He directed the Office of the University Architect for 14 years.

As University Architect, Hurst guided the creation of the university’s 2006-2016 Campus Master Plan, which outlines the development of physical resources in a manner that preserves core qualities of the campus while planning for the long range highest and best use of university land assets. As a companion to the Campus Master Plan, he also developed the Campus Design Principles, which protects the character of the campus by defining its planning framework, palette of exterior materials, and major architectural and landscape design themes.

His leadership in creating the Campus Master Plan and the Campus Design Principles demonstrated his commitment to preserving the unique “sense of place” that is Virginia Tech.

Hurst also provided effective leadership and guidance for the renovation of the university’s European campus site, the Center for European Studies and Architecture.

He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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