John S. Husser, associate professor of music in the School of Performing Arts in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “associate professor emeritus” by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands. 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, Husser made significant contributions to music and the arts at Virginia Tech as head of the Department of Music for 22 years and as the founder of the music technology curriculum.

In the classroom, Husser taught a wide variety of undergraduate courses across the music curriculum, with special emphasis in applied bassoon and music technology. He advised a generation of music students as a departmental advisor. He prepared many junior and senior recitals and helped the students develop successful careers in both public school music and professional music settings.

He served the broader music community with performances on the University Chamber Music Series, many Virginia Tech faculty chamber music concerts, and performances with the New River Valley Chamber Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Roanoke.

In addition, Husser supported the engagement mission of the university. He provided critical support for the creation of the Virginia Tech Honor Band and Virginia Tech Summer Band Camp.

Husser received two bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree from Ohio State University.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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