David Vaughan
BLACKSBURG, Va., Oct. 26, 2010 – David Vaughan, professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the “professor emeritus” 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 Virginia Tech community since 1973, Vaughan made significant contributions in research on energy use in agriculture and on sustainable agriculture. He has written more than 235 publications. He served the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in numerous capacities, chaired ASABE technical, conference planning, and awards committees, and received the ASABE Massey-Ferguson Educational Award.
Vaughan received the Sporn Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, was twice the recipient of the College of Engineering Certificates of Teaching Excellence, and was awarded the Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award of Merit. In addition, he obtained funding for and directed a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates for 11 summers with 110 student participants that resulted in the majority of participants pursuing graduate degrees.
He was instrumental in developing the proposal for the departmental Ph.D. program and coordinated the departmental graduate program during the decade when graduate student numbers quadrupled.
Vaughan received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.
Nationally ranked among the top research institutions of its kind, Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences focuses on the science and business of living systems through learning, discovery, and engagement. The college’s comprehensive curriculum gives more than 3,100 students in a dozen academic departments a balanced education that ranges from food and fiber production to economics to human health. Students learn from the world’s leading agricultural scientists, who bring the latest science and technology into the classroom.