BLACKSBURG, Va., Sept. 7, 2007 – Dr. Robert Lee Pyle of Blacksburg, professor of cardiology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Science at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, was conferred the "professor emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting August 27.
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.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1981, Pyle contributed to the research of cardiopulmonary diseases such as congenital heart defects and pulmonary hypertension, and to continuing education programs of the veterinary college. He served in many leadership positions in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians. In addition, he provided leadership to the professional programs in the college as the associate dean for development, facilities, and information systems.
Pyle received his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University, a V.M.D. and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) is a two-state, three-campus professional school operated by the land-grant universities of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the University of Maryland at College Park. Its flagship facilities, based at Virginia Tech, include the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which treats more than 40,000 animals annually. Other campuses include the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., and the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at College Park, home of the Center for Government and Corporate Veterinary Medicine. The VMRCVM annually enrolls approximately 500 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and graduate students, is a leading biomedical and clinical research center, and provides professional continuing education services for veterinarians practicing throughout the two states. Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.