E. Scott Geller honored with emeritus status
E. Scott Geller, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of Alumni Distinguished 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 55 years, Geller made significant research contributions to the study of behavioral community interventions for litter control, resource recovery, energy conservation, crime prevention, the reduction of alcohol-impaired driving, injury control, and child survival in underdeveloped countries.
He was the principal investigator on 73 externally funded research grants and contracts totaling almost $6 million and addressing critical issues of public safety.
In addition. Geller has authored 55 evidence-based books, 105 book chapters, 310 research-based magazine articles, and more than 300 peer-reviewed research articles.
Geller has represented Virginia Tech through numerous public lectures, webinars, and podcasts, including 1,349 conference presentations.
He was internationally recognized for pioneering the concept of Actively Caring for People, a nonprofit organization. He received lifetime achievement awards from the International Organizational Behavior Management Network and the American Psychological Foundation, and he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from The College of Wooster.
He served as editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, shaping the direction of psychological research and practice that enhanced the visibility and reputation of Virginia Tech.
Geller has served as a research mentor to many undergraduate students. He has chaired over 58 master’s degree thesis committees and 41 doctoral committees. In the classroom, Geller has taught various undergraduate and graduate classes on the topics of research in positive psychology, large-scale applications of behavioral science, and leadership principles for athletes.
Geller received his bachelor’s degree in pre-med and psychology from The College of Wooster and his master's and doctoral degrees in experimental psychology from Southern Illinois University.
Written by Emily Southern, a senior majoring in multimedia journalism and student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications
