Andrew ’99 and Deborah Bishop

Advancing the future of mining through graduate support

As chair of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering Advisory Board, Andrew Bishop ’99 is deeply committed to giving back to Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Deborah, have established the Bishop Family Pylon Graduate Fellowship to advance the department’s mission of educating the next generation of leaders who will drive safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible production of energy and mineral resources. They hope their gift will help attract and retain exceptional graduate students who exemplify academic excellence and the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

“Creating this fellowship felt like a meaningful way for me to put into action the advisory board’s belief in giving back to the university through time, talent, and treasure,” Andrew said. “As alumni, it’s important to honor the strong educational foundation Virginia Tech provided us.”

Service is a defining thread in the Bishop family’s history, which includes generations of public and military service dating back to the 1600s. They hope that their graduate fellowship will extend that legacy, reinforcing their desire to cultivate future leaders in the mining profession and their belief in Virginia Tech’s pylons: Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim. 

“The Virginia Tech pylon values are deeply meaningful to us,” Andrew said. “Higher education is a tremendous privilege, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help others in ways that ultimately strengthen our society.”