[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING VIRGINIA TECH PRESIDENT EMERITUS CHARLES WILLIAM STEGER, JR.

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                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2018

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Virginia Tech President 
Emeritus Charles William Steger, Jr., who passed away on May 6, 2018 at 
the age of 70. He was a Hokie through-and-through, and he guided the 
university to great achievements, bringing new acclaim to this beacon 
of higher learning in Southwest Virginia.
  Dr. Steger devoted most of his adult life to Virginia Tech. He 
graduated from the university in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in 
architecture, followed by a master's degree in the same subject the 
following year and a Ph.D. in environmental sciences and engineering in 
1978. Before becoming president in 2000, he taught and held numerous 
administrative posts, including dean of the College of Architecture and 
Urban Studies, acting vice president for public services, and vice 
president for development and university relations.
  As president of Virginia Tech from 2000 to 2014, Dr. Steger led the 
university to new heights. He presided over growth in enrollment and 
the construction of 40 major new buildings, including the arts center, 
the Virginia Tech Research Center--Arlington, and the College of 
Engineering's Goodwin Hall. Research blossomed as the university's 
expenditures in this area grew from $192 million to over $450 million 
during his tenure. He was passionate about raising Virginia Tech's 
profile in fields which promise the jobs of tomorrow, establishing a 
school of biomedical engineering and helping to bring together the 
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. Under 
the leadership of Dr. Steger, Virginia Tech grew in size, reputation, 
and academic excellence.
  It is hard to imagine a more terrible event to face a university 
president than the horrific shooting that took place at Virginia Tech 
on April 16, 2007. During that time of agony and grief, Dr. Steger led 
the university with remarkable dignity.
  Many honors and awards recognized Dr. Steger for his contributions to 
education, including the Michael P. Malone International Leadership 
Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, the 
Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for Advancement and 
Support of Education, District III, and the Compass Award from the New 
Century Technology Council. After retiring from Virginia Tech's 
presidency, Dr. Steger became executive director of the Global Forum on 
Urban and Regional Resilience.
  I, along with many in Virginia and across the nation, held Dr. 
Charles William Steger, Jr. in the highest esteem.
  He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janet, his son Christopher 
Steger and wife Elizabeth Schumann, and his son David Steger and 
fiancee Alison Nemeth. He will forever be remembered by the Virginia 
Tech community he loved and led.

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