Timeline

Fall 2007	Virginia Tech advances the Signature Engineering Building as the No. 2 new construction priority in its capital construction plan.
January 2008	A legislative committee is formed with company executive alumni living in Virginia. It is led by John Sparks.
Spring 2008	The Virginia General Assembly approves the Signature Engineering Building for $250,000 in pre-planning.
September 2008	Presentations made to visiting General Assembly members by John Sparks and Richard Benson, dean of the College of Engineering, during our Committee-of-100 Weekend.
Fall 2008	Individual visits made to General Assembly members by College of Engineering alumni.
December 2008	John Sparks meets with then-Virginia Secretary of Education Thomas Morris
January 2009	Legislative committee members meet with General Assembly members on “Hokie Day” in Richmond.
Spring 2009	The General Assembly advances the Signature Engineering Building to detailed planning with $1.1 million of “stimulus funds” and $980,000 of non-general funds.
March 2009	McKinney and Company is engaged by Virginia Tech as it “owners representative” in the planning of the Signature Engineering Building.
Fall 2009	Virginia Tech advances the Signature Engineering Building as the No. 1 new construction priority in its capital construction plan.
Spring 2010	Visits by industry representatives and Virginia Tech alumni during the General Assembly sessions spurs interest in the Signature Engineering Building. Virginia Tech President Charles Steger and his staff join in these outreach efforts.
March 2011	The Virginia General Assembly approves the Commonwealth's portion of the construction funds for the Signature Engineering Building.
April 2011	A $25 million anonymous private gift -- the largest ever single cash gift to the university -- is announced for the Signature Engineering Building. Additionally, College of Engineering alumnus Mike Quillen and family provide a $3 million gift for the building's construction.
September 2011	Ground broken on the Signature Engineering Building. Completion is expected in fall 2013.