LuAnn Gaskill, professor of apparel, housing, and resource management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emerita 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 community since 2000, Gaskill has contributed to the understanding of clothing and textiles research as it applies to retailing, small business management, entrepreneurship, and international business development and sustainability, including seminal work on modeling retail product development.

In her career, she served as a reviewer of numerous books, conferences, and journal manuscripts, including those for key professional journals including the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal and the Journal of Small Business Strategies. Gaskill was active in the International Textile and Apparel Association and participated in many international projects as a researcher, a consultant, and a teacher.

At Virginia Tech, Gaskill served as head of the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management for a decade, and as associate dean for outreach and external relations in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences for two years.

In the classroom, she taught undergraduate courses in social, cultural, and historical aspects of apparel, fashion industries, and merchandising and graduate courses in orientation to research. She enhanced student experiential learning by leading international and national study tours, independent studies, and field studies.

In 2014, Gaskill received Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in International Outreach. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green University, a master’s degree from Ohio University, and a doctoral degree from Ohio State University.