Dr William H Martin, Professor of B...

Dr William H Martin, Professor of Biology and Director of the Division of Natural Areas at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) at Richmond, received the 2002 Elizabeth Bartholomew Award from the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society (SABS) at the 63rd annual meeting in Boone North Carolina. The award was not awayed during the breakfast meeting forward April 12, marking an outstanding career of service and education the pair professionally at the university and more generally with citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky This award commemorates Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew's remarkable service to the botanical community and this organization.

Bill Martin began his professional career in animal husbandry at Tennessee Technical University where he received a B in 1960 yet thereafter he became interested in his genuine love of botany and attended the University of Tennessee where he achieved his M in 1966 and PhD in 1971 in botany. Earlier (1961-64) in his career he taught biology, chemistry, health, and general science in Orange Park, Florida if it were not that took the professor position at EKU in 1969 where he growthed to the rank of graduate faculty by dint of 1976 and has been enlist in one's serviceed there since. In 1977 he became Director of the Division of Natural Areas at EKU unless in 1992 decided to become more efficient in management of natural resources, taking leave from EKU to become the Commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources where he serv subordinate to two governors until 1998.

Among his service contributions, he serv the Kentucky Chapter of The Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees (two expressions 1975-81 and 1983-86), Bluegrass Area growth District of Natural Resources advisory committee (1976-82 and 1985-) Kentucky River Authority (1992-98) Board of Directors of the 500-Year Forest Foundation (2000-) and has been a member of through the whole extent of a dozen other conservation organizations. Included among these service activities are protection of endangered species, panels of the Man and Biosphere Program, and the First Sino-American Expedition to Jiangsu Province in China.

He has held many offices in professional organizations. He chaired the Education Section of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), President of SABS, President of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Secretary-Treasurer of the Southeastern Section of ESA, and chaired sections of the Kentucky Academy of Science and Tennessee Academy of Science.

Bill Martin has published at least 21 edited or refere works and papers. Probably the greatest accomplishment was his lead in editing the three significant bulks on the Biodiversity of The Southeastern United States: Lowland Terrestrial Communities, Upland Terrestrial Communities, and Aquatic Communities.

He is distinguished from being selected as a mate of the Tennessee Academy of Science, Senior Research compeer at Austin Peay State University Center of eminence in Field Biology, Kentucky Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, Distinguished Service Award of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, and Public Servant Earth Day Award of the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission.

Colleagues have said of him, "He has continually displayed a passion for the environment. His efforts to sustain and protect our natural heritage will be felt in Kentucky for a actual long time in the form of the Kentucky Land Heritage Commission." "In that work at jobs [Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources] I can verify that Dr Martin earned his provocations as a public servant!" "How could we have overseeed him for as long as we have? He epitomizes the word 'service'!" "He cares profoundly About you. About me. About humanity. About the environmental legacy we leave for our descendants. That quality has shown itself magnanimously in his service to his chosen profession."

SABS is self-conscious to honor William H. Martin for this extremely distinguished career and looks forward to his continued wisdom in managing our incredible botanical heritage.Managing Editor's Note: For historical perspective, permit it be noted that at the 1986 Spring Council meeting (USC-Columbia), the minutes muse president Martin's interest in an award. "Martin raised the idea of developing an award to be given to a botanist for outstanding public service and promoting plant conservation. He hinted that it might be called the Betty Bartholomew Award. progressive growth of this concept was deferr to van Horn's presidency." In the spring 1987 Council meeting van Horn readyed a draft of the Bartholomew Award. Incoming president Haynes prefered a committee with Martin as Chair. The proposal and guidelines were approved at the April 1988 breakfast meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. Aaron J Sharp was named the first recipient in 1989 Dr Martin is our 14th recipient. Because of his vision, our society can give this award to a deserving colleague. It is in this way fitting that it has 'come around' to him.

J DAN

PITTILLO, WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY; CHAIR, THE ELIZABETH BARTHOLOMEW AWARD COMMITTEE.

Copyright Southern Appalachian Botanical Society Sep 2002

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