George Corton Closes Largest Gift in FIU’s History from Alumnus
By Cindy Kent
Chad Moss, executive vice president of the Fort Lauderdale-based construction company Moss & Associates, has presented a $10 million gift to Florida International University''s College of Engineering & Computing, the largest donation by an alumnus to date.
In recognition of the gift, on behalf of the Moss Foundation, FIU's College of Engineering & Computing will name the school as the Moss School of Construction, Infrastructure and Sustainability. The naming coincides with the academic reorganization of the school, FIU officials said, reflecting a broader view of the industry and new approaches and methods for building sustainable urban infrastructure.
Moss, who graduated from FIU in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in construction management, was recently recognized as Alumnus of the Year at FIU's Torch Awards ceremony.
Moss emphasized that the gift is a reflection of his own passion and curiosity for learning. He said the gift is designed to create a sustainable educational platform for opportunity, where people can share knowledge, learn and develop new skill sets "to provide innovative solutions to the industry challenges of the future."
On its website, Moss & Associates features a kaleidoscope of its construction projects both inside and outside Florida. They include a solar installation project in Hawaii; Brightline rail stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach; renovations for Terminal One at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport; construction management services at the Rikers Island prison admissions/mental health facility in New York, and Marlins Park in Miami, which features a retractable roof and twin 450- gallon saltwater aquariums.
FIU's Ranu Jung, College of Engineering & Computing interim dean, said the Moss gift will impact generations of students and transform the school into an institution that addresses "the Grand Challenge to, 'Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure' put forth by the National Academy of Engineering."
Watch Chad Moss speech, here.
