President and COO Craig Albert says gift of undisclosed amount will address region’s “real shortage of construction capacity”
The University of North Carolina-Charlotte announced that it will establish the Albert School of Construction following what it says is a major financial gift from Bechtel Group Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Craig Albert and wife Darla Albert, who are both alumni.
Neither the school nor Albert disclosed the amount of the donation, but he termed it an “investment” to address an urgent need for construction professionals in the region. “If we want those ambitions to be realized, we have to grow the number of professionals who can build the systems that make it all possible,” he added.
“In every industry that improves people’s lives, whether it’s healthcare, technology or energy, none of those innovations reach the world unless we build the infrastructure that supports them,” said Albert in a video interview posted by the university on March 26.
According to university leaders, the school will focus on the full lifecycle of complex infrastructure projects—from design and engineering through construction and long-term operation—rather than a single phase of the delivery process. Part of the William States Lee College of Engineering, it will offer bachelor’s degrees in construction engineering, construction management, civil engineering and a master’s degree in construction and facilities engineering.
“This investment allows us to align education more directly with the needs of our region and the nation,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber about the Alberts’ contribution. “As Charlotte and North Carolina continue to grow, so does the complexity of the infrastructure that supports it. The Albert School of Construction will prepare graduates who understand the full scope of how projects are planned, built and sustained. They will be ready to contribute to that work not only in North Carolina but across the country.”
Earlier this year, Axios reported that more than $2 billion in new construction projects are planned for Charlotte city center by 2027.
Lingguang Song, who recently served as department chair and professor of engineering technology and construction management at the campus, will lead the school as executive director.
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“We are preparing students to step into complex projects with a broader understanding of how teams, systems and decisions connect,” Song said in a comment to a university news source. “That perspective is what the industry is demanding, and it is what will set our graduates apart.”
Craig and Daria Albert are co-chairs of “For the Love of Charlotte,” a $500-million campus fundraising effort that the university says is its most ambitious ever, with over half of the goal total raised so far.
“Charlotte is a growing region with a real ‘can-do’ culture,” said Albert. “That’s something I remember from my time as a student here. It’s a place where people want to achieve something and prove something. That mindset is exactly what the construction industry needs.»
Albert joined Bechtel in 1998 from Westinghouse Electric Corp. He most recently served for four years as president of Bechtel’s Infrastructure global business in London, overseeing power, communications, aviation, rail and civil infrastructure projects.
