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May 16, 2026
The Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) Board of Trustees has awarded longtime museum research associate and museum trustee Dr. Arthur V. Evans the title of Senior Fellow, a prestigious and honorary title acknowledging the exceptional contributions he has made to the museum's scientific research and collections programs over the course of nearly three decades. Evans, an accomplished entomologist specializing in beetle taxonomy, was awarded the title today during the board's quarterly meeting, which also marked the final meeting of Dr. Evans' board tenure.
"The museum has been incredibly fortunate to have benefited from Dr. Evans' leadership since 2015 and grateful for his countless contributions to the museum's research and collections endeavors ever since he was awarded the title of Research Associate in 2000," said Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Melany Clark. "Though his tenure on the board is ending, we're excited to know he will continue to be a mainstay at the museum as he continues to collaborate with our researchers on a wide variety of projects."
Dr. Evans' relationship with the museum began in 2000 when he became a frequent collaborator of the late VMNH myriapodologist Dr. Richard Hoffman. That same year, the association was formalized when Dr. Evans was awarded the title of Research Associate. As research associate, he helped the museum's entomology department become one of the most revered in the nation. His contributions have ranged from helping secure new and rare collections that are now housed at the museum to participating in numerous laboratory projects, as well as collaborative field work projects spanning the country.
As a trustee, Dr. Evans had the unique opportunity to enter the position knowing first-hand the ins and outs of the museum's scientific research programs and was able to skillfully work to ensure the research and collections programs at the museum were positioned to experience high levels of growth and success.
"The museum's research and collections program wouldn't be in the position it is in today without the contributions of Dr. Evans," said VMNH Executive Director Dr. Joe Keiper. "Since Day 1, he has been an ardent supporter of the sciences here at VMNH and he's worked tirelessly to ensure that our researchers are in position to succeed now and into the future."
Only three other individuals have been awarded the title of Senior Fellow. They include the museum's founder, Dr. Noel T. Boaz, arachnologist and myriapodologist Dr. William A. Shear, and conservation biologist Dr. Mitchell A. Byrd.
(Pictured are VMNH Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Melany Clark and Dr. Evans inside the museum's recent invertebrate collections.)
