W. Michael Aust honored with emeritus status
W. Michael Aust. Photo by John McCormick for Virginia Tech.
W. Michael Aust, professor of forest resources and environmental 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 35 years, Aust made significant contributions to sustainable management of soil, water, and forest resources through his research on the development and implementation of sustainable forest operations and low impact forestry in the United States. In addition, he greatly contributed toward the adaptation and improvement of forestry best management practices with national and state agencies, forest industries, and private landowners.
Aust served as the de facto forest manager for the college’s Fishburn Forest for decades, helping to make the forest more productive and accessible for teaching, demonstrations, and research. In addition, Aust served as an elected official for the Society of American Foresters.
Aust held numerous college, university, and regional awards. In the classroom, he taught a wide variety of courses for undergraduate students, including Forested Wetlands, Forest Boundaries and Roads, Forest Soils and Hydrology, and Forestry Fields Skills. Aust taught Advanced Forested Wetlands and Advanced Soils and Hydrology for graduate students.
Throughout his career, Aust served as a mentor and advisor for numerous undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral research associates and helped them develop successful careers in academia, government agencies, and the private sector.
Written by Anja Hemesath, a senior and a student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications