Members of the Department of Biology and colleagues in the College of Science and Mathematics dedicated the Entomology Museum in Fribourgh Hall in memory of the late UALR professor, Dr. Robert L Watson.

Chair of UALR’s Department of Biology for 19 years and acting dean of the College of Science and Mathematics for two years, Watson died in April at the age of 75.

The idea for this dedication came from graduate student Robin Verble, a Donaghey scholar who has spent many hours over the past year getting the museum organized in a manner that makes it a valuable resource.

Among attendees at a reception Monday following the dedication were Dr. Patrick Pelicane, vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school; Dr. Mike Gealt, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics; and Dr. Tom Lynch, associate dean of CSAM.

A former captain in the U.S. Army, Watson earned a Ph.D. in entomology from Auburn University and went on to be a professor at UALR for 33 years, retiring in 2000.