Charles Bostian, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the "Alumni Distinguished 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 1969, Bostian has made significant contributions to the field of radio communications, which ranged from pioneering work on satellite communications to cognitive and software defined radio. He has written or co-written 47 journal and magazine articles and approximately 150 conference papers and presentations.

Bostian obtained more than $11.7 million in research funding during his career. Sponsors included the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, NASA, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He also has held several leadership positions within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

He also has made extraordinary contributions to the instructional program by teaching more than 5,400 students, advising and counseling numerous undergraduate and graduate students, and serving as the graduate advisor for 61 master’s degree students and 16 doctoral degree students. He has received numerous teaching and advising awards from the university community.

Bostian held the Clayton Ayre Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering for six years, and was an Alumni Distinguished Professor from 2003 until his retirement.

He received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.

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