Bill Boebel ’01

Investing in the future of engineering

For computer engineering alum Bill Boebel ’01, Virginia Tech was more than a place to earn a degree — it was the launchpad for a lifelong entrepreneurial journey. As a student, he and his co-founders took the bold step of starting an e‑mail hosting company in Blacksburg that eventually employed dozens of Hokies. Inspired by his experience, Boebel went on to found several more software companies over the years, and has invested in and mentored young entrepreneurs with big ideas, including many from Virginia Tech.

When Boebel heard about the Moraco Fellowship Challenge, he felt it was the right opportunity to give back in a meaningful way and support faculty that help shape future engineers. He was drawn to the matching component of the challenge and the power of endowed junior faculty fellowships to create compounding impact on students within the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

“I had been giving back to Virginia Tech for years in smaller increments, but I wanted to give in a way that had real leverage,” Boebel said. “Great faculty attract great students and enable stronger research, and that impact will multiply over time.”

His gift honors not only the department that launched his career, but also his father — Bob Boebel ’73, a Virginia Tech electrical engineering alumnus and entrepreneur whose example inspired him from a young age.

“My father passed away before he had the opportunity to make a meaningful gift to the university, so creating this fellowship is a way for me to give to our department on behalf of both of us.”