Alan P. Druschitz honored with emeritus status
Alan P. Druschitz, professor of practice of materials science and engineering in the College of Engineering 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 for 15 years, Druschitz is considered an international expert in metal casting and corrosion. Druschitz led the development of the nationally recognized Foundry Educational Foundation certified metal casting program at Virginia Tech, bringing Virginia Tech national recognition as one of 20 Foundry Educational Foundation–certified schools.
Druschitz served as the director of the Foundry Institute for Research and Education, managed the day-to-day operation of the Kroehling Advanced Materials Foundry, served as the Foundry Educational Foundation Key Professor, and also served as the chair of the foundry safety committee. He was charged with creating and supporting the metal casting program curriculum.
He mentored more than 120 undergraduate researchers, many of whom pursued graduate degrees, and hosted international undergraduate researchers from China as part of their academic training. He significantly enriched students’ educational experiences through study abroad programs in China and Australia that integrated cultural engagement with hands-on research. His extensive and dedicated service to Virginia Tech earned him the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service in 2018.
Since 2014, one of Druschitz’s senior design teams and one of his undergraduate researchers have been awarded first place in the Foundry Educational Foundation/American Foundry Society Student Technology Contest, and numerous senior design teams and undergraduate researchers presented and published their projects at professional conferences. Druschitz helped over 144 students receive a total of more than $512,000 in scholarships. Druschitz and his students also devoted considerable time to outreach activities that introduced students, prospective students, and the local community to metal casting.
Druschitz received his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.
