University's College of Natural Resources gives Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources has given its Outstanding Young Alumnus Award to Dan Goerlich, resident of Nathalie in the Halifax, Va., area and forestry Extension agent for south-central Virginia.
J. Michael Kelly, dean of the college, said: “This award recognizes his service to his alma mater as well as his many fine accomplishments so early in his career.”
Goerlich received his bachelor's in forest and wildlife management from Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources in 1994, and a master's in forest management from SUNY-ESF in 1998. He currently develops and coordinates educational programs that provide science-based management information to forest landowners, loggers, natural resource professionals, youth, and the general public throughout Southside Virginia.
The Outstanding Young Alumnus, who serves on the Virginia Forestry Association Board of Directors, received the 2004 Society of American Foresters National Young Forester Leadership Award. He served as principle author of 4-H Virtual Forest, a web-based learning experience for youth that was recently awarded the 2005 Natural Resources and Environmental Management Flagship Award.
The College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech consistently ranks among the top five programs of its kind in the nation. Faculty members stress both the technical and human elements of natural resources and instill in students a sense of stewardship and land-use ethics. Areas of studies include environmental resource management, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forestry, geospatial and environmental analysis, natural resource recreation, urban forestry, wood science and forest products, geography, and international development.
Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech has grown to become among the largest universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, Virginia Tech’s eight colleges are dedicated to putting knowledge to work through teaching, research, and outreach activities and to fulfilling its vision to be among the top research universities in the nation. At its 2,600-acre main campus located in Blacksburg and other campus centers in Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Roanoke, Virginia Tech enrolls more than 28,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 180 academic degree programs.
