The University of North Carolina-Charlotte announced it will establish the Albert School of Construction following what it says is a major financial gift from Bechtel Group Inc.’s president and chief operating officer. Craig Albert and wife Darla Albert, who are former students.
Neither the school nor Albert disclosed the amount of the financial gift, but he called it an “investment” in addressing an urgent need for construction professionals in the region. “If we want these ambitions to come true, we must increase the number of professionals who can build the systems that make everything possible,” he added.
“In every industry that improves people’s lives, whether it’s healthcare, technology or energy, none of these innovations make it to the world unless we build the infrastructure that supports them,” Albert said in a video interview released by the university on March 26.
According to university leaders, the school will focus on the full life cycle of complex infrastructure projects, from design and engineering to construction and long-term operation, rather than a single phase of the delivery process.
“This investment allows us to align education more directly with the needs of our region and nation,” Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber said of the Alberts’ contribution. “As Charlotte and North Carolina continue to grow, so does the complexity of the infrastructure that supports it. The Albert School of Construction will prepare graduates who understand the full scope of how projects are planned, built and maintained. They will be ready to contribute to this work not only in North Carolina but across the country.”
Earlier this year, Axios reported that more than $2 billion in new construction projects are expected in downtown Charlotte by 2027.
The school, part of the William States Lee College of Engineering, will offer bachelor’s degrees in construction engineering, construction management, civil engineering and a master’s degree in construction and facilities engineering. Lingguang Song, who most recently served as department head and professor of engineering technology and construction management at the campus, will lead the school as executive director.
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“We are preparing students to enter complex projects with a broader understanding of how teams, systems and decisions are connected,” Song said in a comment to a university news source. “This perspective is what the industry is asking for and it is what will set our graduates apart.”
Craig and Daria Albert are co-chairs of “For the Love of Charlotte,” a $500 million endowment. campus The fundraising effort the university says is its most ambitious ever, with more than half of the total goal raised so far.
“Charlotte is a growing region with a real can-do culture,” said Albert. “That’s something I remember from being a student here. It’s a place where people want to achieve something and prove something. That mentality is exactly what the construction industry needs.”
Albert joined Bechtel in 1998 from Westinghouse Electric Corp. He most recently served for four years as president of Bechtel’s global infrastructure business in London, overseeing energy, communications, aviation, rail and civil infrastructure projects.
