Richard Fell honored with emeritus status
Richard Fell, professor of entomology 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 1979, Fell contributed significantly to the understanding of entomology through his research and extension work in apiculture and by conducting training workshops for beekeepers that focused on colony management, queen production, and the pests and diseases affecting honey bees.
In addition, Fell advised numerous students on master’s degree and doctoral dissertations and helped them develop successful careers in both academic and industrial settings. He taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses ranging across the full entomology curriculum, placing strong emphasis on standards and student learning. He has also taught study-abroad courses in South Africa, Mali, Ecuador, Belize, and the Dominican Republic.
More recently, he served as interim head of the Department of Entomology.
Fell received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Cornell University.
