Smith named interim associate dean of the College of Natural Resources

Mike Kelly, dean of the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech, has announced that Bob Smith of Christiansburg, Va., professor of wood science and forest products, has been named interim associate dean of the college.

Smith’s appointment follows the departure of Jim Johnson, who has taken the position of associate dean of extended education in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.

Smith, who will coordinate activities for the extension outreach program within Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources, will also work with outreach divisions at the university and state level to plan extension programs.

“The College of Natural Resources is recognized throughout the world for its outreach mission. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the college, university, and commonwealth to continue this success,” said Smith.

Smith’s teaching and research focuses on the marketing of forest products. He is also the director of the Center of Forest Products Marketing and Management, and serves on the faculty advisory boards for the Wood-based Composite Center and the Sustainable Engineered Materials Institute.

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.