Peter Berquist, an assistant professor of geology at Virginia Peninsula Community College, has been selected as a 2025 Outstanding Faculty Awards recipient by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Dominion Energy.
Berquist and 11 other recipients will receive a $7,500 gift from Dominion Energy during a March 4, 2025, ceremony in Richmond.
Since 1987, these awards have recognized faculty at Virginia’s institutions of higher learning who exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship and service, according to SCHEV.
“I am honored to be the recipient of the 2025 SCHEV award,” said Bequist, chair of the geology department and Unmanned Systems program at VPCC and the only two-year college faculty member recognized this year.
“Being recognized for my 17 years of teaching, research, and public service work on behalf of the Virginia Community College System is both exciting and humbling. I’ve been afforded many opportunities to enhance the learning of Virginia Peninsula Community College students, and I love opening their eyes to our earth – from land, air, and sea,” he added.
Berquist joined VPCC in 2007 and teaches classes in geology, geographic information systems and uncrewed aircraft. Holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from William & Mary and Vanderbilt University, respectively, he has published highly regarded geoscience educational resources and provided numerous faculty workshops on improving student success.
He’s also nationally known for incorporating innovative course-based research experiences, having led the acquisition of VPCC’s Oceanographic Research Vessel, the R/V Investigator. Overseeing all operational aspects of this unique teaching platform since 2017, he has facilitated the vessel’s use across geology department courses, expanding the horizon for more than 400 students.
His professional background includes a National Science Foundation Fellowship, teaching middle school science in Nashville, Tenn., and a visiting professor stint at the College of the Atlantic, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Berquist has also been a geologist for the Geological Survey in North Carolina and Virginia and was a national park ranger in Maine’s Acadia National Park, teaching the public about geology and ecology.
For the prestigious 2025 Outstanding Faculty Awards, institutions select the nominees, and a panel of peers reviews the applications. A committee of leaders from the public and private sectors selects the final recipients. This year, the program received 83 nominations. This group narrowed to 24 finalists to arrive at this year’s recipients.
Nominations for Berquist came from VPCC President Towuanna Porter Brannon, the College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Kerry Ragno, and John “Scott” Stauble, dean of VPCC’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics division, among many others.
Dr. Brannon’s nomination read in part: “Pete’s journey with our college began as a dual-enrollment student while attending high school in Williamsburg. Since then, he has served our institution in numerous capacities and earned deep respect from his colleagues and the college's leadership… As President, I am honored to serve alongside Pete, who is unwavering in his commitment to our mission of changing lives and transforming communities.”
A portion of the nomination from Dr. Ragno stated, “In my tenure, I have had the pleasure of observing Mr. Berquist’s commitment to students and colleagues alike. He models and creates excitement in the scientific process for students while helping them surmount external barriers to learning, resulting in successful academic outcomes and persistence.”
Echoing their sentiments, Dr. Stauble wrote, in part: “His innovative teaching methods in geoscience courses foster critical thinking and professional skills, directly contributing to transformative education … In every aspect of his work, Professor Berquist strengthens lives and communities.”
Joining Berquist, other recipients (in alphabetical order) are listed. Asterisks denote Rising Star (early-career achievement) awards.
Congratulating his fellow educators, Berquist said collaboration is vital to success in his field.
“… I strongly believe that every great educator stands on the shoulders of colleagues, collaborators, and partners. So many of my accomplishments have come from close collaboration with colleagues from VPCC, VCCS, and beyond,” said Berquist.
“I am grateful for all who have joined me from the public, private, business, government, and community sectors to facilitate innovative teaching and learning opportunities for my students. To be recognized for the teaching career I will always be building gives me great motivation to continue transforming student lives through hands-on, field-based education.”