Reimagining the land-grant university
Virginia Tech defines itself by serving the citizens of the commonwealth and beyond through education and research — and the Innovation Campus is an ideal expression of that long-standing tradition.
“While needs and challenges have changed greatly over the course of the university’s nearly century-and-a-half history, our commitment to make an impact has not,” said Virginia Tech Board of Visitors Rector Dennis Treacy. “Creating an Innovation Campus is right in line with Virginia Tech’s character — our drive to serve.”
President Sands briefed the members of the Board of Visitors, who shared their individual, unanimous support for the opportunity for Virginia Tech to open the Innovation Campus in Alexandria.
Carilion Clinic President and CEO Nancy Agee said Virginia Tech’s willingness to partner with other stakeholders was a major asset for Roanoke and Southwest Virginia.
“Amazon and other industry leaders will soon find that when it comes to economic anchors, there are few better neighbors than a forward-looking land-grant school like Virginia Tech,” Agee said.
Sands said Virginia Tech is uniquely positioned to strengthen the commonwealth’s global competitiveness in the technology sector due to the university’s world-recognized expertise and strongly entrepreneurial culture.
“Amazon’s challenge provided the catalyst to accelerate a plan that we already had in place,” Sands said. “By bringing together Virginia leaders who are committed to the vision to transform and sustain the commonwealth as a leading magnet for tech talent and innovation — with room to grow, adapt, and evolve.
“Many committed faculty, staff, and industry friends have been working for a long time to develop the concept and plan the business model that would allow our expansion in the Northern Virginia region. We recognized immediately that the opportunity that Amazon created was in perfect alignment with our vision. It was the right opportunity and we were the right university to make the most of it.”
