Susan Day, former associate professor of urban forestry in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emerita 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 in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.

A member of the Virginia Tech community from 2008 to 2018, Day made significant contributions to the field of urban forestry through her work in urban soils and tree response to soil management and site design. She authored or co-authored more than 36 peer-reviewed journal articles and more than 30 book chapters, edited books, or conference proceedings.

Day brought national and international visibility to Virginia Tech through her leadership in Urban Forestry 2020 and her service on the International Science and Research Committee of the International Society of Arboriculture.

She has been recognized by her profession for her work with awards and honors that include the International Society of Arboriculture’s L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research in 2017 and the Early Career Scientist award in 2010. She received the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture’s Award of Merit in 2008 and again in 2018 for exemplary service to the profession.

In the classroom, Day taught both undergraduate and graduate students in urban forest management, urban ecology, environmental site design, and plant establishment. She advised numerous students on master’s theses and doctoral dissertations and helped them develop successful careers in both academic and professional settings.

In 2018, Day was named professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia.

Day earned her bachelor’s degree at Yale University, her master’s at Cornell University, and her doctorate at Virginia Tech.

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