BLACKSBURG, Va., July 3, 2008 – Michael E. Houston of Blacksburg, professor of human nutrition, foods, and exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, was conferred the "professor emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting on June 20.
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 1998, Houston contributed to the knowledge of muscle function and metabolism through a lifetime of scholarly research that led to the publication of numerous research papers, reviews, and book chapters. A dedicated teacher, he introduced the principle and techniques of kinesiology and human nutrition to thousands of undergraduate and graduate students.
As head of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from 1998 to 2004, he recruited several outstanding faculty and fostered the development of the Food, Nutrition, and Health Initiative.
Houston served as an officer in the Canadian Association of Sport Sciences and was a member of the American College of Sports Medicine.
He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada.