Virginia Tech announced that President Emeritus Charles W. Steger passed away Sunday evening at age 70.
They said Monday that Steger became the school's 15th president in 2000 and led the university through a period of growth and transformation.
During his time as the university's president, Steger accomplished many major feats such as Virginia Tech's enrollment growing by from 28,000 to 31,000, more than $1 billion raised in private funding, and joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“No organization, no matter how big or small, rises above its leadership and Charles Steger was that leader who took Virginia Tech to new heights only dreamed of before,” said Virginia Tech alumnus Ben Davenport.
Senator Mark Warner said Steger was an advocate for educational opportunity for all Virginians at every level.
Steger is survived by his wife Janet, his two son along with other relatives and friends.