Emeritus faculty member still serving SOE, VCU, RVA

William R. Muth, Ph.D., serves on VCU sustainability committee, SOE dissertation committees, and leads community activism efforts.

Casual headshot of Bill Muth, Ph.D., professor emeritus.
William R. Muth, Ph.D. (Courtesy Photo)

After retiring from the VCU School of Education last year, Professor Emeritus William R. Muth, Ph.D., continues to serve the university and the broader Richmond community through his activism and volunteerism.

Muth, who was a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning for 16 years, currently serves on the Sustainability Advisory Committee in support of the ONE VCU Sustainability Plan. The team is comprised of university and health system students, faculty and staff who are working to identify a 10-year path forward for VCU and VCU Health to sustainably deliver on our mission and support the well-being of future generations.

“It is an honor to be a part of this project,” Muth said. “Experiencing first-hand the vast pool of talent, courage and commitment that the VCU community brings to the climate crisis, I know VCU has the potential to become not only a truly sustainable university by 2030, but a world leader for other universities and health systems.”

The ONE VCU Sustainability Plan is a multi-pronged effort that includes transferring to renewable energy, greening infrastructure, increasing our investment in climate-related research, engaging all VCU units in expanding climate-justice curricula, and building service partnerships with frontline communities most impacted by climate change.

Muth has a history of direct action projects, service to the community and partnership with local community groups. Most recently, along with colleagues from many units across both campuses, he helped forge a Climate Emergency Declaration that was endorsed by the Faculty Senate, and later became an active petition for alumni, faculty, staff and students.

While working at VCU, Muth co-founded the Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Curriculum, Culture and Change program, and chaired the M.Ed. in Reading program. As a professor emeritus, he continues to serve on dissertation committees and lead other community efforts, including co-founding Third Act Virginia, part of a national climate justice organization for people ages 60 and older.