John Rossi, professor of mathematics 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 faculty since 1983, Rossi made deep contributions to complex function theory and potential theory. He published 60 papers on this work and presented it at more than 40 professional meetings and seminars in the United States and abroad.

Rossi received a North Atlantic Treaty Organization Postdoctoral Fellowship in 1981, a Senior Fulbright Fellowship in 1988, and a British Senior Research Fellowship in 1990. He later served as the head of Virginia Tech’s Department of Mathematics from 2000-07.

In the classroom, Rossi taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised two Ph.D. dissertations, and served as a graduate and undergraduate adviser to many students.

Rossi earned his bachelor’s degree from Queens College in 1972 and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in, respectively, 1978 and 1980.

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