Geosciences’ Kenneth Eriksson honored with emeritus status by Board of Visitors
Kenneth Eriksson, wearing mask with the Department of Geosciences logo, poses for a photograph whilst sitting down.
Kenneth Eriksson, a professor of geosciences in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of 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 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 since 1981, Eriksson was principal or co-principal investigator on research grants on Precambrian sedimentation and crustal evolution, geological history of the Appalachian Mountains, evolution of rift basins, and diagenesis of sandstones. His scholarship led to more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reviews. His research also took him to Australia, South Africa, China, and Zimbabwe.
Eriksson served as chair of the Department of Geosciences from 2008 to 2012 and is a member of the Academy of Faculty Service. In the classroom, he taught both undergraduate and graduate courses. Additionally, he directed more than 20 master’s degree and Ph.D. students and served on more than 50 master’s degree and Ph.D. committees. Eriksson also has taught in the department’s study broad program at the Steger Center for International Scholarship in Switzerland for several years.
During his career, Eriksson received many professional honors and awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and the Geological Society of South Africa, and served as co-chief editor of the journal Precambrian Research.
Eriksson earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D., in, respectively, 1967, 1971, and 1977, all from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
