2024–25 Frederick A. White Distinguished Professor of Professional Service

Volker Bahn, associate professor of biological sciences.

Volker Bahn, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences, has made a lasting impact on Wright State University through his commitment to the environment, university service and academic leadership.

For his wide-ranging contributions — from preserving the Wright State woods to serving in faculty governance and supporting global science — Bahn has been named the 2024–25 Frederick A. White Distinguished Professor of Professional Service.

In his 17 years at Wright State, Bahn has distinguished himself through consistent excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. His work engages people across disciplines and communities, from local students to international researchers.

“Through his professional service, Volker engages diverse peoples at many levels of community and academia, ranging from the local community to the global scientific community,” said Jeffrey Peters, Ph.D., professor and associate chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. “He is passionate about his conservation efforts and invests a lot of physical, mental and emotional energy into them.”

An advocate for the preservation of the Wright State woods, Bahn works to ensure this natural resource remains a living laboratory for students and faculty across disciplines. He also co-organizes the annual Runkle Woods Symposium, which celebrates research tied to the campus woods.

“The woods are one of our university’s core resources,” said Ayşe Şahin, Ph.D., dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, “home to some of the oldest growth forests in the state and a core research facility for environmental scientists locally and globally.”

Bahn also serves on the development committee for the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, the ad-hoc exploratory chair search committee and on committees for several graduate students.

Beyond his environmental work, Bahn plays an active role in shared governance, serving as vice president of Wright State’s AAUP-AFT chapter since 2024. As treasurer from 2021 to 2023, he went above and beyond by continuing to teach his full course load instead of using the standard course release, prioritizing student learning.

“Volker’s efforts helped to ensure fair and safe working environments for faculty, staff and students,” Peters said. “He has often served as a voice for our faculty, including underrepresented minoritized faculty, as part of this role and beyond.”

Bahn’s service extends beyond Wright State. He is an associate editor of the peer-reviewed journal Global Ecology and Biogeography and a member of the editorial board of PeerJ, a journal focused on the biological and medical sciences.

He also leads Greene County bird counts, has mentored youth, served on the Rotary Peace Council at Sinclair Community College and maintains an ongoing relationship with the Rainforest Alliance.

“His expertise and professional service bring recognition of Wright State at an international scale,” Peters said.