History
Nearly a century ago, Virginia Tech awarded its first bachelor’s degree in business. This moment marked the beginning of what would become one of the nation’s leading public business colleges. The university introduced its first graduate degree in 1931, and by 1961 the growing business programs were formalized into a School of Business with 28 faculty members and 823 students. In 1965, business officially became one of the colleges of the university, setting the stage for decades of expansion and innovation.
A defining moment in the college’s history came in 1986 when the college was named in honor of two distinguished alumni, Robert B. Pamplin and Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Their exceptional achievements, service to Virginia Tech, and transformational philanthropy, which totaled more than 25 million dollars, made the Pamplin family central to the college’s legacy. Robert B. Pamplin Sr., a 1933 graduate and former chairman of Georgia-Pacific, and Robert B. Pamplin Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of the R.B. Pamplin Corporation, remain two of Virginia Tech’s most influential benefactors.
Pamplin Hall, long recognized as the college’s architectural and academic home, also has deep historical roots. Constructed in 1957 as Commerce Hall, it was renamed Pamplin Hall in 1969 to honor Robert B. Pamplin Sr. for his leadership and service. A major renovation in 1988 expanded the facility through a connecting atrium, preserving the Hokie Stone exterior of the original building. Additional updates in 2014 created modern collaborative spaces that strengthened the building’s role as a central hub for students and faculty.
From its early beginnings offering a single degree to its current position as a multifaceted business college serving thousands of students, Pamplin’s growth reflects both the evolution of business education and the spirit of Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Guided by a century of progress and the belief that from small beginnings come great things, Pamplin continues to build upon its rich history as it prepares the next generation of purpose-driven business leaders.
