Gregory S. Amacher, professor of forestry in the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech, has been appointed the Julian N. Cheatham Professor of Forestry by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting March 26.

The Julian N. Cheatham Professorship was established in 1989 by Alyce Cheatham in celebration of Julian Cheatham’s successful career in the forest products industry. The professorship is limited to senior faculty in the Department of Forestry.

A member of the Virginia Tech faculty for 12 years, Amacher has become a national and international expert in forest policy analysis. His research program centers on forest and environmental economics with a special focus on explanations of forest and natural resource user behavior under a variety of market assumptions. His work has opened several new areas of thought in forest economics, and his signature work in bargaining and environmental regulation has opened a whole new realm of discovery.

As a researcher, Amacher has written more than 100 publications and has received more than $5 million in research grants. His research in natural resources policy has found application in developing countries from Africa to China.

Amacher is also a dedicated and innovative teacher. His graduate students and post-doctorate students have moved on to important positions with the World Bank. Others have received Fulbright fellowships.

Amacher received a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and master’s degree and a 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. Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

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