Ernest Houck honored posthumously with emeritus status

The late Ernest C. Houck, former professor in the Department of Business Information Technology in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, was conferred the title, "R.B. Pamplin Professor of Management Science Emeritus," posthumously by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting March 26.

The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who have given exemplary service to the university and who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

Houck, who earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, joined the faculty in 1972. He directed the MBA program from 1978 to 1982. Since 1983, he had been his department’s graduate programs director.

An outstanding educator and scholar, Houck received the college’s Certificate of Teaching Excellence on three occasions. He was the college’s first faculty member to be elected to the university’s Academy of Teaching Excellence, in 1976. He was the college’s first recipient of the prestigious Wine Award, given for teaching excellence, in 1977. In 2002, he received the college’s Doctoral Teaching Award.

The author of numerous research articles published in leading academic journals in statistics and business, Houck was selected as a Fellow of the Decision Sciences Institute in 1994, in recognition of his career achievements in research, teaching, and service to his profession.

Houck also received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama.

Virginia Tech’s nationally ranked Pamplin College of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting and information systems, business information technology, economics, finance, hospitality and tourism management, management, and marketing. The college emphasizes the development of ethical values and leadership, technology, and international business skills. A member of its marketing faculty directs the interdisciplinary Sloan Foundation Forest Industries Center at Virginia Tech. The college’s other centers focus on business leadership, electronic commerce, and organizational performance. The college, committed to serving business and society through the expertise of its faculty, alumni, and students, is named in honor of Robert B. Pamplin (Class of 1933), the former CEO of Georgia-Pacific, and his son, businessman and philanthropist Robert B. Pamplin Jr. (Class of 1964). Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.