Ed Dorsa, associate professor and former chair of the Industrial Design Program in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the university community since 1998, Dorsa is internationally known for his work in industrial design education reform. His retirement this month capped off a 19-year career at Virginia Tech – the last seven years as program chair.

The author or co-author of more than 16 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, Dorsa also served as vice president of education for the Industrial Designer’s Society of America, and as an accreditation commissioner for the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

He was named “one of the 40 most admired industrial design educators” by Design Intelligence in 2006.

At Virginia Tech, he was honored with his college’s Lifetime Contribution Award in 2017. He received the 2012 XCaliber Award, given to an interdisciplinary team for their use of technology in advancing student success. Dorsa is also the recipient of the School of Architecture + Design’s 2009 Excellence in Teaching Studio Award, the 2006 College of Architecture and Urban Studies Award for Excellence in Outreach, and the 2005-06 University Certificate of Teaching Excellence.

Dorsa received a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from The Ohio State University.

"I'm very proud of what we – the faculty and the students of the Industrial Design Program – were able to accomplish in a relatively short period of time,” Dorsa said. “Virginia Tech's Industrial Design Program is known and respected throughout the U.S. and our graduates have gone on to make an impact in some of the best design consultancies and corporate offices in the U.S. and abroad."

Related links

Industrial Design students on winning streak

Share this story