RESOLUTION FOR EMERITUS STATUS

April 2, 2007

WHEREAS, Dr. Marshall S. White faithfully served Virginia Tech for 32 years in the College of Natural Resources, beginning in 1975; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the faculty in the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, he began his career as an extension specialist, serving the needs of the Virginia forest industry, and

WHEREAS, he advised and counseled undergraduates and graduate students, served on numerous doctoral committees, and served as major advisor to Ph.D. and M.S. candidates, helping students achieve their career goals and contribute to the forest industry profession; and

WHEREAS, he provided effective leadership as director of the William H. Sardo, Jr., Pallet and Container Laboratory from 1980 to 2007, bringing worldwide acclaim to Virginia Tech, the College of Natural Resources and the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products as the world leader in pallet and container research and service to the industry; and

WHEREAS, he provided visionary leadership in charting the establishment of the Center for Unit Load Design, serving as Founding Director from 1996 to 2007, and simultaneously being named one of the top ten materials handling professionals in the materials handling industry; and

WHEREAS, he visioned the establishment of the undergraduate degree program and minor in packaging science and through his leadership brought these degree programs to reality, and has successfully recruited undergraduate and graduate students to these programs and secured exceptional scholarship support for students studying packaging science; and

WHEREAS, he co-authored the development of the Pallet Design System (PDS), the leading engineering software platform for the pallet and container industry, and through his leadership helped Virginia Tech profit considerably through private sector commercialization and license fees for this platform; and

WHEREAS, as a result of his research expertise, Dr. White has written many national and international standards for pallets and containers and has served as the head of the US delegation to the International Organization of Standardization (IS) TC51 Committee on International Pallet Standards and continues to chair the American Society of Engineers MH1 Committee on Pallet & Container Standards; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong swimmer that has included training and tryout for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team in his youthful collegiate career, Dr. White has set an example of lifelong fitness, both mental and physical, and is recognized among his colleagues as a well-trained, tough competitor; and

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board of Visitors recognizes Dr. Marshall S. White for his service to the university with the title of Professor Emeritus of Wood Science and Forest Products.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the above resolution recommending Dr. Marshall S. White for emeritus status be approved.