Marvin Blecher honored with emeritus status

11 Jun 2010

Marvin Blecher, professor of physics in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the "professor emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1968, Blecher made significant contributions to the understanding of physics through his work in nuclear physics focusing on precision measurements of extremely rare processes. He also served the scientific community as a leading member of productive collaborations at Los Alamos National Laboratory; Jefferson Laboratories; and TRIUMF, a consortium of 11 Canadian universities. He also supported the scientific research enterprise as a conference organizer and frequent reviewer for national and international journals and funding agencies.

As a faculty member for 42 years, he taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses ranging across the full physics curriculum, always placing a strong emphasis on standards and student learning. He also advised numerous students on master’s and doctoral dissertations and helped them to develop careers in both academic and industrial settings.

Blecher received his bachelor's degree from Columbia College, and a master's degree and Ph.D. from Illinois.

Written by Krystyne Hayes. Hayes, of Front Royal, Va., holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.