Ryan Frederic ‘99

Giving in a high-leverage way: retaining the best and brightest junior faculty

As an aerospace major at Virginia Tech in the late 1990s, Ryan Frederic ‘99 wasn’t pursuing the major for the money. Although space wasn’t considered “cool” yet, the passion exhibited by the students and professors made the learning environment stimulating. Frederic recalls Professor Christopher Hall as a source of inspiration, not only to him but to everyone around him. It was professors like Hall who resonated with Frederic when he learned about the Moraco Challenge.

“I saw luminary professors from Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering end up going to other universities. After talking to Tony Moraco about how these fellowships would help retain that kind of top talent, I was in,” said Frederic. 

As an entrepreneur, Frederic saw the investment and long-term impact of establishing a fellowship in the College of Engineering through the Moraco Challenge. By setting a standard of retention with talented professors through proper funding and resources, Virginia Tech Engineering will stay at the forefront of problem-solving. Just as he’s analytical in the business world, Frederic saw the high-leverage investment of retaining the best candidates within the aerospace and ocean engineering department.