Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
I am a career college administrator and professor (biology). My publications include more than a dozen manuals and books, two dozen journal articles, and many abstracts, critiques and reviews. As a classroom teacher, I established a reputation as a fair-minded and effective instructor. I also participated in a broad range of professional service activities, including more than a dozen grants totaling in excess of a million dollars. Examples of recognitions, honors, and awards include: MTSU Foundation Career Achievement Award (2000); Society for College Science Teachers' Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award (1999): Tennessee Joint House/Senate Resolution for Outstanding Service to Tennessee Education (1999); American Association of Higher Education's National Exemplar of Faculty Citizenship (1994); MTSU's Presidential Merit Commendation (1994); and the MTSU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching (1985).
Serve on corporate and educational boards; author and publish poetry and short stories
Oversaw curricular changes that resulted in a four-fold increase in annual graduation rates; raised admission requirements; led efforts to bring literary magazine (COLLAGE) to the College and transform it into a nationally acclaimed publication; upgraded semi-annual newsletter into an award-winning publication; led efforts to enhance and diversify the Honors College student body; aggressively promoted study abroad; created building-wide art displays; organized the Martinelli Library; created scholarship display in the Honors Thesis Defense Room; instituted the BOOK OF TOWN AND GOWN as a ceremonial tradition; instituted the "tolling of the bells" ritual following each successful thesis defense; oversaw development and adoption of the Honors Creed; founded the Undergraduate Fellowships Office (UFO); founded the Institute of Leadership Excellence (ILE); founded the AT&T Advanced Classroom Technology Laboratory; founded the Martin Distinguished Lecture Series; developed and inaugurated the Buchanan Fellows Program; founded the Honors College Board of Visitors; and facilitated events that led to Dr. James Buchanan's multimillion dollar gift to the Honors College in 2013.
Teaching assignments included biology for non-majors, general courses in botany and zoology, human anatomy and physiology, genetics, advanced genetics, human genetics, biometry/biostatistics, and graduate seminars and thesis courses. Served as graduate coordinator for master's level degrees in biology, 1981-2002.