Keith O. Woodard has made a generous gift of $500,000 to name the Maker’s Suite, which will be located on the main floor of the new building. Woodard, a 1976 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Architecture, is the founder of Woodard Properties based in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Woodard was drawn to the Maker’s Suite – which will house the multiple fabrication labs in the new building –  for its interactive workspace that encourages student engagement and experimentation.

“In the Maker’s Suite, design education will be improved through student engagement by allowing students to fully explore design thinking and develop their personal skill sets,” said Woodard. “It is a privilege to be a part of this exciting new architecture building…enhancing opportunities for students in multiple disciplines.”

Established in 1981, Woodard Properties started by focusing on the need for student housing near the University of Virginia. To date, Woodard Properties provides housing for students attending UVA. The company has since gone on to offer affordable housing and commercial real estate to businesses and nonprofits in Charlottesville.