The late John Ryan, professor and former chair of the Department of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus posthumously by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

Ryan died in March of this year.

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 from 2001 to 2021, Ryan made significant contributions to the field of the sociology of culture, with a specialization in the production of culture and in community responses to violence. His scholarship led to the publication of five books and numerous articles, chapters, and research reports. For 16 years he served as a visiting lecturer at Wageningen University of the Netherlands, where he taught courses on the sociology of organizations and the sociology of culture.

From 2001 to 2019, Ryan served as chair of the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences and later in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. In that role, he led and managed the growth of the department to include programs in Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies. He was honored with the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Award for Excellence in Administration and the International Association of Administrative Professionals Executive of the Year Award.

Also in his career at Virginia Tech, he was honored with the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship.

Ryan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.