Douglas Cannon honored with emeritus status
Douglas Cannon, professor of practice of communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor of practice 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 since 2010, Cannon was an accredited public relations professional for more than 30 years, with military communication accreditation since 2010, and certification in crisis communication from the Institute for Crisis Management since 1996.
In addition, Cannon served 28 years in the U.S. Army and retired as lieutenant colonel, was inducted into the Public Relations Society of America College of Fellows in 2014, and served on the board of governors for the Religion Communication Council for more than 10 years.
In the classroom, Cannon taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses in public relations. He also served as associate director and interim director for the School of Communication. He was a key leader during the transition from a department to a school of communication and the launch of its graduate option in reputation management.
A leader in educational and professional standards in public relations, Cannon chaired the Universal Accrediting Board of the Public Relations Society of America to assist and to mentor public relations professionals and educators in achieving accreditation in public relations.
Cannon also led the School of Communication effort to secure accreditation from PRSA and led the school’s efforts toward accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Cannon received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the Ohio State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
