David L. Trauger honored with emeritus status

David L. Trauger of Frostburg, Md., director of the National Capital Region's Natural Resources Program in the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech, was conferred the "professor emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting on Nov. 3.

The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who have given exemplary service to the university and who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

Trauger played a key role in recruiting faculty members and building student enrollment for the Natural Resources Program at the Falls Church, Va., campus. A dedicated teacher, he developed and delivered courses in Conservation Ecology, Sustainability Science, Global Issues in Natural Resources, Graduate Seminar in Natural Resources, Modern Wildlife Management, Land Use Planning, and Ecosystem Management. His research focused on wildlife management through studies of waterfowl and of the balance between economic growth and biodiversity conservation.

In addition to his teaching and research, Trauger served as interim associate dean of the Graduate School for the National Capital Region from 2007 to 2008 and provided 13 years of dedicated service to the College of Natural Resources as a member of its advisory board. Prior to his arrival at Virginia Tech, Trauger spent 32 years working in natural resource agencies of the Department of the Interior, including an appointment as chief of the Division of Wildlife Research for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington D.C.

He received his bachelor’s degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.