Born and raised in Virginia, Robert A. Bland never thought he would be admitted into the University of Virginia, then an all white, male, southern, institution…but he was…and he graduated and later went on to get his Masters Degree and PhD!

Dr. Bland was one of three black students to enroll at Virginia in 1955…George Harris and Theodore Thomas were the other two.

While the three found that they could participate in all aspects of university life on grounds except for fraternity life, once they left the grounds they were back in the segregated south.

In the spring of their first year his two African-American student colleagues left…this served to only strengthen the resolve Dr. Bland felt towards his education…failure was NOT an option.

By the end of his second year, he was on academic probation and his energies were focused more than ever on academics…to quote Dr. Bland, “I had an obligation to myself…I had an obligation to my family….and I had an obligation to my people who had supported me and had been the reason why I was here in the first place.”

And he did succeed and in 1959 he graduated from the Engineering School with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering…the FIRST African-American student to graduate from the University of Virginia…history was made.

In January of 2007, Dr. Bland addressed an annual event organized by the office of African-American affairs where members of the first year class and transfer students are recognized for their high achievement. What he said to them is very telling of his recognition of his place in history…commenting on his connection to these students he said, “I think we are connected in a very special way. You are connected to me because I am your past. I am connected to you because you are my future.”

In recognition of this moment in history, the School of Engineering and Applied Science humbly presents to Dr. Robert A. Bland a revere bowl marking the inauguration of an award in his name to be presented annually “To recognize extraordinary contribution to the field of engineering and applied science by a University of Virginia Engineering School African-American student, faculty member, or alumnus/alumna, or by a University of Virginia Engineering School student, faculty member or alumnus/alumna whose contribution to the field is of particular significance to African-Americans. This award will be given in honor of the personal challenges and accomplishments of Robert A. Bland, the first African-American to graduate from the University of Virginia and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.”

Would Dr. Bland please come forward and accept this well deserved token of our respect and appreciation.