Judith Shrum honored with emerita status
Judith Shrum, professor of foreign languages and literatures and teaching and learning in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, has been conferred the “professor emerita” title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members 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.
A member of the university community for 30 years, Shrum brought international visibility to the university through her work on the national standards for teaching foreign languages and in teacher preparation for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The latter is a professional organization with more than 12,000 members.
During her tenure, Shrum co-authored numerous articles and leading textbooks on Spanish language and the teaching of languages. She presented more than 100 workshops, paper sessions, and speeches to local, regional, and national professional groups.
Additionally, Shrum held leadership positions in professional organizations such as the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, ACTFL, and the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Other contributions included directing 18 doctoral and more than 30 master’s students. Among Shrum’s numerous professional honors and awards are the William E. Wine Award for Excellence in Teaching at Virginia Tech, the Excellence in Service Award from the Foreign Language Association of Virginia, and the Anthony A. Papalia Award for Excellence in Teacher Education from ACTFL.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Clarion University, a master’s degree from Indiana University, and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
