Don Orth honored with emeritus status
Don Orth, professor of fish and wildlife conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emeritus title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 43 years, Orth made significant contributions to the conservation and management of fishes through his work in streams and rivers, focusing on instream flow and fish habitat relationships. He served the university and his profession as a Certified Fisheries Professional, as the head of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, as the Thomas H. Jones Professor, and as an editor and reviewer.
In 2019, Orth received the American Fisheries Society Award for Excellence in Public Outreach, which honors society members who share the value of fisheries science with the broader public through popular media and other communication channels.
In the classroom, Orth taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses ranging across the fish conservation curriculum. He advised numerous students on master’s degree and Ph.D. dissertations and helped them develop successful careers in both academic and industrial settings.
Orth received his bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.
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