Donald J. Orth, the Thomas H. Jones Professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, has recently been honored with multiple awards for his teaching.

Orth received the 2016 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award from Virginia Tech’s Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research. The annual award honors faculty members who have shown ongoing dedication to scholarship in the realm of higher education teaching and learning.

The American Fisheries Society has named Orth a Fellow, honoring his outstanding contributions to the society through efforts in leadership, research, teaching and mentoring, resource management, and public outreach. In addition, the society has recognized his teaching practices with the Excellence in Fisheries Education Award.

“My role as a teacher is to help students find meaning in their work,” Orth said. His approach to education also emphasizes the importance of respecting his students and giving them “choice, challenge, and control over their own learning.”

“It was rather humbling to think about all the students I’ve taught over the years and to consider that their success started with something that I did,” Orth said. “It’s surprising and somewhat emotional. None of this is due to any one single contribution, but rather the culmination of a career.”

Contact: