Irvin Watson "Bill" Carpenter, Jr., Ph.D.

Appalachian State University

Universities and colleges--Faculty

Dr. Richard D. Howe

1987

Biographical sketches

Boone (N.C.)

https://www.geonames.org/4456703/boone.html

1980s

2000-2010

Professor Emeritus

Professor Emeritus of Biology Irvin Watson (Bill) Carpenter, Jr. (November 29,1923, -), son of Irvin Watson Carpenter, Sr. and Ruth McCord Carpenter, was born in Washington, D.C. After gradu­ation from Western High School in 1941, Carpenter entered Purdue University in Lafeyette, Indiana. In July of 1942 he left Purdue to serve in the U.S. Navy. He served four years on the U.S.S. Wisconsin and dur­ing that time he received six battle stars. He was discharged from active duty in 1946 and joined the Naval Reserves and served as a lieutenant. After his tour of active duty Carpenter returned to Purdue University and received his B.S. degree in forestry in 1948. He also received his M.S. degree (1950) and his Ph.D. degree (1952) in botany from Purdue University. In 1952-53 he was employed by Purdue University as an instructor in forestry. Carpenter is married to Jessie Luella Carpenter (ASU associate professor emerita of speech pathology and audiology) and the couple have three daughters: Kim Jean (August 2, 1956-), Ruth Ann (October 11, 1955- ), and Carol Ernestine (May 23, 1959-). Kim (graduate of Wake Forest Univer­sity, 1974) married W. David Lee, an alum­nus of Western Carolina University and the Wake Forest Law School, on August ll, 1974. The couple have two daughters: Laura Elizabeth Lee, and Kathryn Diane Lee. The Lees live in Monroe, North Carolina. Ruth Ann (graduate of Wake Forest University, 1977) married Matthew R. Bee, (May 27, 1978), who is a stock broker with Merrill Lynch. Ruth is a Financial planner at R.J. Reynolds, and the couple live in Win­ston-Salem, North Carolina. Carol attended North Carolina State University from where she was graduated in 1981. She is now living outside St. Paul, Minnesota, where she is working as a medi­cal secretary. In 1953 ASU President D.D. Dough­erty appointed Dr. Carpenter to the faculty at Appalachian as a biology professor. Dr. Dougherty would surely be proud today if he could know of the tremendous dedication and service Bill Carpenter has provided to Appalachian over the past 33 years. He vol­untarily served as "cameraman" to take films of athletic events for the Mountaineers for 15 years! During most of that time he donated his services without charge. After he was required to accept payment, he donated his pay to the Yosef Club along with enough other funds to make him a member of ASU's most prestigious level of giving--The Chancellor's Committee. Dr. Carpenter has the distinction of having made a gift to the ASU Foundation every year since the foun­dation was formed. Carpenter was co-chair of the Ida Belle Ledbetter Scholarship, and a sponsor of the Chan Gordon Scholarship. Also, for a num­ber of years, Dr. and Mrs. (J. Lou) Carpenter served as sponsors of the ASU Cheerleaders. The list of accomplishments to Carpenter's credit clearly reveals his generous spirit of giving to his alma mater. The following are highlights of Dr. Carpenter's career at ASU: 1955 Established Appalachian's first Greek Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta, and was the organization's regional vice president for 20 years; 1958 Established ASU Herbarium, now listed in Index Herbarium (International listing); 1959 Began work with USNPS in establishing Naturalist programs at Price Lake; 1960 Began first use of overhead projection in teaching large lecture sections in general biol­ogy; 1962 Participated in planning and development of new science building (Rankin); 1963 Awarded National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for summer program to improve high school science teachers; 1964 Awarded NSF grant for optical equipment and cases for ASU Herbarium; 1965 Awarded NSF grant for two 4-wheel drive vehicles for Biology Department; 1966 First use of closed-circuit television for teach­ing biology; 1967 Awarded NSF grant for summer program for high school biology teachers; 1969 Participated in development of plans for en­largement of Rankin Science Building ;1973 Established Field Biology of Continental US A as a summer course and directed the first trip in 1974. Participated in trips in 1977, 1980, 1983, and 1986. Elected Chairperson of Biology June 30, 1973 ;1974 With grant from NSF and encouragement at Chancellor H.W. Wey, started a program at audio-tutorial labs for over 1400 general biology students. Largest program operator in southeastern U.S.A. ; 1976 Instrumental in obtaining greenhouse for re­search and teaching of biology; 1978 Added a new program, Naturalist, to the revised programs of instruction in biology; 1980 Resigned as Chair from biology to devote time to teaching and curating the ASU Herbarium. In 1982 ASU Herbarium reached 25.000 sheets (speci­mens) under Dr. Carpenter's direction. In addition to all the time he gave to his career, Dr. Carpenter also made time for community and church activities, as well as many professional organizations. He has been a member of these civic organizations: Master Snow Masonic Lodge (1960-61) and was a 32nd degree Mason; Shriners (Oasis Temple), Charlotte, N.C. (participated in several Shrine Bowl games 1960-70); Boone Rotary Club; Boone Lions Club; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Moose Lodge of Boone; and the Boone Chamber of Commerce. Professional organizations Carpenter has belonged to include: Trustee Highlands Biological Station; Society of American Foresters; Botanical Society of America: Indiana Academy of Science; N.C. Academy of Science; Society of Southeastern Biolo­gists; Southern Appalachian Botanical Soci­ety; Beta Beta Beta National Biological Society (Regional Vice-President); and Sigma Xi National Research Fraternity. Carpenter also has several biological publications to his credit, which are as follows: "Genetic investigation of Liriodendron." Journal Forestry. 1951; "Anatomy of Seedling Roots of Oak." Journal For­estry 1952; "Iron deficiency in Q. palustris." Proc. Ind. Academy of Science. "The hepatic flora of Watauga County." Appalachian State University Faculty Publication 1963; "Commercial Moss Use." Economic Botany 1964; "The Vascular Flora of Stone Mountain Slate Park in Wilkes and Alleghany Counties of North Carolina." Association Southeastern Biologists Bulletin. Vol. 23, No. 2. April l976. Carpenter has long been a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Boone, where he serves as a deacon. He was a Sunday School teacher for 10 years, a training union leader for four years, and a Baptist Student Union faculty advisor for six years. Due to his keen interest in young people, Carpenter served as a boy scout master troop leader for six years, and a girl scout master troop leader for one year. In 1971 Dr. Carpenter received the Trustees Award for Outstanding Teacher; in 1974 he received the Athletic Department Appreciation Award; and in 1986 he re­ceived the Alumni Outstanding Service Award. During retirement Bill Carpenter will do some botany consulting and he will be the curator and manager of the ASU Herbarium. He is also looking forward to spending lei­sure time Fishing and traveling. Dr. Carpenter resides in Boone with his wife J. Lou. Sources: Long association, personal interviews and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe