Bernard Jortner honored with emeritus status

Bernard Jortner

Bernard Jortner

BLACKSBURG, Va., Oct. 8, 2010 – Dr. Bernard Jortner, professor of biomedical sciences and pathobiology in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine 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 1980, Jortner contributed to the research in neuropathology, neurotoxicology, and veterinary pathology. He serves as co-director of the Virginia Tech Laboratory for Neurotoxicity Studies and has written more than 100 publications, directed numerous sponsored research and development projects, and served on the Study Section of the National Institutes of Health.

Jortner was active in a number of professional organizations. He served on the editorial board of the Journal of Veterinary Pathology and was a member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, American Association of Neuropathologists, American Society for Investigative Pathology, Society of Toxicologic Pathology, International Academy of Pathology, International Brain Research Organization, Society for Neuroscience, Society of Toxicology, and the Peripheral Nerve Society.

He was active in university governance activities as the founding president of the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty association and as a member of the Faculty Senate, University Council, and Strategic Budgeting and Planning Committee.

Jortner received his V.M.D degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut.

The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is a leading biomedical teaching and research center, enrolling more than 700 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, master of public health, and biomedical and veterinary sciences graduate students. The college is a partnership between the land-grant universities of Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland. Its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, features the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and large animal field services which together treat more than 79,000 animals annually. Other locations include the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, and the Gudelsky Veterinary Center in College Park, Maryland.