Benjamin L. Pilcher, Ph.D.
Education
Earned degrees
B.S. 1961 Texas Technological
College
M.S. 1963 Texas Technological
College
Ph.D. 1969 The University
of New Mexico
Assistantships and academic
experience
1961-1963 Graduate Research
Assistant Texas Technological College
Instructor, The University
of Texas at Arlington
Graduate Teaching Assistant
The University of New Mexico
1969-1972 Assistant Professor
, McMurry University
Chair of the Biology
Department, McMurry University
1972-1977 Associate Professor,
McMurry University
1975 Granted tenure
1977-present Professor
Director of the Honors
Program, McMurry University
Employment outside academia
Summers of 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 Seasonal
Park Ranger (Naturalist) at Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
Faculty Development Activities
June 19-July 28, 1972. "The Scientific, Economic,
and Sociological Consequences of Nuclear Power" Atomic Energy Summer Faculty
Training Institute. L.S.U. in New Orleans
Oct. 1972 and March 1973. "Water Pollution" National
Science Foundation Chautauqua-type Short Course for College Teachers. University
of Texas
June 4-July 27, 1973 "Food Production and the
Ecosystem". National Science Foundation Summer Institute. Oklahoma State
University
October 1978 and March 1979 "Reproductive Biology
of the Flowering Plants" National Science Foundation Chautauqua-type Short
Course for College Teachers. Univ. of Texas
April 1985 "The Cassandra Conference" Texas A
& M University
From 1986-1998 Attended three (3) national meetings
of the National Collegiate Honors Council while serving as Director of
the Honors program
Publications and manuscripts
1962a Southwest Park Recreation Training Institute.
S-Parks.
April. Pp.3-4.
1962b Determining Present and Future Needs. S-Parks.
June pp.4-5.
1963a M.S. Thesis The Development of a biologically
oriented interpretive program in three Texas State Parks.
1963b Botanists affiliated with government expeditions
in the Southwest U.S. 1840-1865. (Manuscript in the Southwest Collection
of Texas Tech University. 51p.
1963c (coauthor) Texas State Parks--A general
report of functions, space requirements, financial considerations and policies
for the future. Report to the Texas State Legislature. 36pp.
1964 Interpretative programs in state parks surveyed.
Parks
and Recreation. 2pp.
Ph.D. dissertation: Vascularization in four species
of Opuntia.
Gernination of seeds of four species of Opuntia.
Cactus
and Succulent Journal. 42:6 pp281-282.
Public health in the ecosystem. Texzs Public
Health Association Journal. 26:1 p48ff. (5 pages)
Growing cacti from seed. The Texas Horticulturist.
3:2 pp12-13 (Also published cover photograph)
coauthor Abilene Energy Management Plan. City
of Abilene. 151p.
A Personal Diary of John Nelson Pilcher. Methodist
History. Vol. XXIII, No.3. pp169-190
1990 College/University. (poem) Mesquite Journal.
Issue 2, p.35
Grants
Wrote and received a grant for $92,212 as a subproject
of an institutional grant from Title III, Higher Education. The purpose
of the grant was to upgrade the Principles of Biology lab with technology
and equipment.
Bibliographic Listings
Outstanding Scientists of the 20th
Century, 2 Ed.
International Biographical Centre
Who's Who in the Southwest
American Men and Women of Science
Professional Memberships
American Association of University Professors
Cactus and Succulent Society of America
Sigma Xi
Texas Academy of Science
Non-teaching activities at McMurry University
1974-present. Maintenance and care of the University
greenhouse
1969-present Participation in faculty committees
Sponsored Alpha Phi Omega
Institutional Report: "A Report on the Collection,
Retrieval and Use of Data by McMurry College"
1982 Edited McMurry Faculty Handbook
Served on three SACS self-study committees
Served one term as chair of the Arts and Science
Faculty
Currently serving as vice-chair of the faculty
Faculty representative to Board of Trustee meetings
( 5 years)
Plan and supervise Principles of Biology laboratory
Arts and Sciences Dean Selection Committee
Planning Committee for the current Core Curriculum
Alpha Phi Omega section 40 liaison to local chapter
1999- Mentor for new faculty members
Teaching activities beyond the departmental curriculum
Taught four different courses in January or May
Term
Team taught "Energy Stewardship" twice as part
of the Honors Program
Taught " Golden Age of Biology" (Honors hour
in Biology)
Team taught "Human Knowledge" for the first three
semesters of the new Core Curriculum
Church activities
Member, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Served three terms as Elder on Session (1972-1999)
Active on committees
Representative to Buffalo Gap Trust (1999-2002)
Commissioner to Presbytery meeting (1999)
Served on Endowment Committee 3 years, 1 yr.
As chair
Community activities
Cofounder of West Texas Photographic Society
President of local Texas Tech Exes chapter
Member of the Citizens Energy Council, City of
Abilene
Member of middle school textbook committee, AISD
1984- Cofounder of Wylie Bandbooster Parent Organization
1985- Board member, Abilene Zoological Society
Boy Scouts of America
1980-1985 Committee member
of Pack 260
Committee member and
chair Troop 260
District Committee, Chisholm
Trail Council
Adult training- completed
Wood Badge (advanced training)
Served on training staffs
for adult training 10 years (12 courses)
Blood donor at Meek Blood Bank 2 gallons+
1998- Member of work crew for Habitat for Humanity
Local memberships
Abilene Zoological Society
Center for Contemporary Arts
Museums of Abilene
National Membership
National Parks Association- life member
Photography
Solo Photography Shows
1993- Center for the
Contemporary Arts
1999- Gypsy Ted Gallery,
McMurry University
Group Shows: Work in three McMurry faculty art
shows. (Curator and organizer for two)
Several photographs published in popular magazines
(1969-1985)