Larry Thompson, College of Engineering librarian and associate professor of University Libraries 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 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 faculty since 1996, Thompson served the College of Engineering faculty and students by providing in-depth research consultations, high quality instructional sessions, and ensuring access to information sources to support and enhance the degree programs and research initiatives of the college.

He was the author or co-author of numerous journal articles, presentations, and series with a focus of enhancing methods of teaching students to locate, evaluate, and use engineering information.

Thompson was a leader in the American Society for Engineering Education's Engineering Libraries Division, presenting and organizing sessions at the annual conference for more than 25 years, and received the Homer I. Bernhardt Distinguished Service Award for his many contributions.

He provided instrumental leadership and mentoring to the science and technology liaisons by leading the science and technology team at the university for five years, and his influence continues today through the liaisons who progressed their careers into leadership capacities.

In the classroom, Thompson co-taught the engineering and physical sciences section of the GRAD 5124 Library Research Skills course for more than 15 years and contributed to the regular updating and revision of core material for all course sections.

Thompson received his bachelor’s degree and Master of Library Science degree from the University of Buffalo.

By Mark Owczarski