William Favrao
William Favrao. Photo provided by his daughter.
A Pioneering Spirit
William "Bill" Favrao, founder of the Building Construction program, came to his life's work in a roundabout way. The New Englander studied economics at Colgate University and received a Master of Fine Arts at Yale. After brief stints elsewhere, he came to Virginia Tech in 1941 to teach art and architectural history. But when World War II began emptying classrooms, Favrao was given a weekend to prepare to teach a course he’d never had: descriptive geometry. Family anecdote has it that he took up pipe smoking so he could stall when the math majors asked questions he couldn’t answer. Shortly after, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needed instructors to teach recruits how to quickly erect bridges abroad, and Favrao seemed their man. By the war’s end, his name was forever linked to building construction.
Post-war, a building boom brought frantic appeals from the construction industry for well-trained builders, and Favrao began advocating for a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction. His vision was realized in 1947, with Favrao as its head until he died in 1977.
An active member of prominent organizations including the American Institute of Contractors, the National Association of Home Builders, the Home Builders Association of Virginia, and Sigma Lambda Chi, he left an indelible mark on the construction industry. His influence soon extended beyond the boundaries of Virginia, as he helped establish the Associated Schools of Construction in 1962 and served as its national director and vice president.
In recognition of his exceptional teaching capabilities, Favrao received Virginia Tech’s most prestigious teaching award, the William E. Wine Award, in 1972. His dedication to academic excellence didn't stop there, with his induction into the Academy of Teaching Excellence in 1974 further attesting to his exceptional contributions to education and his profound influence on the student body.
William Favrao. Photo provided by his daughter.
Under Favrao's guidance, Building Construction became a powerhouse in producing leaders in the construction industry. He stuck to his ultimate and lofty goal: create a building construction department distinct from architecture. His legacy continues to inspire students long after his passing, a testament to his enduring impact.
One such student, Richard Bishop, who graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction in 1967, established a successful building company. In honor of the man who had laid the foundation for his own success, Bishop generously donated the lead gift for a new building on campus, requesting it be named after Favrao.
“I respected him. He was tough, but I admired him and he inspired me to get through school,” said Bishop of Favrao.
Numerous other alumni and friends of the university, moved by Bishop's generous act, joined in to contribute to the building. Private donations amounted to $5.75 million of the building's funding, with $3.55 million allocated from the state. Construction commenced in November 2006 and was completed by the end of 2007, with students being welcomed in the spring of 2008.
Today, Bishop-Favrao Hall stands as a concrete manifestation of William Favrao's enduring legacy, a testament to his life's work, his dedication to education, and his undying passion for building construction. Favrao's spirit continues to inspire students, faculty, and the construction industry as a whole, ensuring his legacy lives on in the heart of Virginia Tech.