BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 11, 2004 – Gregory J. Buhyoff, of Blacksburg, Julian N. Cheatham Professor of Forestry in the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech, was conferred with the title "professor emeritus" by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting Monday, Nov. 8.
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 faculty since 1975, Buhyoff was a dedicated teacher and adviser to both undergraduate and graduate students. During his more than 30 years at the university, he consistently received top evaluations from his students for his teaching. Buhyoff also made important contributions to the research areas of computer applications, and quantification and modeling of visual quality of forests that form the basis of methods used today by a host of government agencies and private industries. He was a pioneer in using artificial intelligence technology in management of natural resources.
Buhyoff authored more than 100 scientific articles, one book, and five book chapters. He served in a number of scientific and professional societies, including the Society of American Foresters and Resource Technology Institute, and was the editor of two journals and editorial board member of five others. Buhyoff received his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan
The College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech consistently ranks among the top five programs of its kind in the nation. Faculty members stress both the technical and human elements of natural resources and instill in students a sense of stewardship and land-use ethics. Areas of studies include environmental resource management, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forestry, geospatial and environmental analysis, natural resource recreation, urban forestry, wood science and forest products, geography, and international development.
Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech has grown to become the largest university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, Virginia Tech's eight colleges are dedicated to putting knowledge to work through teaching, research, and outreach activities, and to fulfilling its vision to be among the top research universities in the nation. At its 2,600-acre main campus located in Blacksburg, and other campus centers in northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Roanoke, Virginia Tech enrolls 28,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 170 academic degree programs.