Andrew Dolby, professor of biological sciences, was awarded the 2015 Eike Award for outstanding service to the Virginia Society of Ornithology (VSO).

Dolby became active with the VSO soon after arriving at Mary Washington. He served on the VSO’s Board of Directors from 2005 to 2008. Dolby then served as vice president from 2009 to 2011, as President from 2011 to 2013, and as Past President from 2013 to the summer of 2015. Dolby began making significant contributions to the VSO in 2004 when he served as Research Committee Chair and organized the Northern Neck Foray. Over the next four years he coordinated four additional forays: Russell and Wise Counties in 2005, Virginia State Park System in 2006, Northern Saw-whet Owls in 2007 and the Riparian Area Breeding Bird Foray in 2008 in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. His reports of the first four surveys can be found in “The Raven,” the journal of the VSO, and were presented to both the VSO and the Virginia Academy of Science annual meetings. Dolby also organized and managed two successful VSO Annual Meetings, including one in Fredericksburg in 2009. Dolby currently serves as editor of “The Raven.”

The award is named in honor of James Eike, a member of the VSO from 1933 until his death in 1983. Eike’s long, faithful service, his dedication, and his enthusiasm in promoting the work of the VSO gave him a unique status in the organization. Dolby will be recognized by the presentation of a silver Raven pin.