I grew up in the Chicago region, got my AB from Knox College in 1965, and finished my Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1972. From 1972 to 1994, I taught at Iowa State University, from 1987 on serving as department chair, associate dean, interim dean, and special assistant to the provost. From 1994 to 2001, I was Dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Wichita State University. From 2001 to 2005, I was President of Unity College, and now I teach here. I’ve researched, written and taught about prairie and forest ecology, including biodiversity, vegetation dynamics, response to fire, and natural area management and restoration. Much of this work has been in collaboration with the National Park Service, National Biological Survey, Soil Conservation Service, and various state and private conservation agencies.

At Unity College, I teach ecology, human ecology (which is an introduction to environmental science,) and various plant-related courses such as dendrology, environmental plant physiology, and plant systematics.

Student Presentations from Environmental Plant Physiology Spring 2007

Photoperiodicity

Nitrogen Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Heavy Metals

Seed Structure and Germination

Seed Dormancy

Secondary Compounds - Tannins

Secondary Compounds - Terpenes.ppt