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Irvin Watson Carpenter, Jr., PH.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biology
Irvin Watson “Bill” Carpenter, Jr. ( b. November 29, 1923 -- d. December 11, 2007) son of Ruth McCord and Irvin Watson Carpenter, Sr., was born in Washington, District of Columbia. After graduation from Western High School in 1941, Carpenter entered Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. In July of 1942, he left Purdue to serve in the United States Navy. He served four years on the U.S.S Wisconsin and during that time received six battle stars. He was discharged from active duty in 1946 and joined the Naval Reserves to serve as a lieutenant.
After his tour of active duty, Carpenter returned to Purdue University, where he received his B.S degree in forestry in 1948. He also received his M.S (1950) and his Ph.D. (1952) degrees in botany from Purdue University. In 1953-53, Carpenter was employed by Purdue University as an instructor in forestry.
Carpenter is married to Jessie Luella (J. Lou) Carpenter (Appalachian associate professor emerita of speech pathology and audiology), and the couple have three daughters: Kim Jean (August 2, 1952- ), 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 11, 1974. The couple have two daughters: Laura Elizabeth (January 20, 1980- ) and Kathryn Diane (June 17, 1983- ). They live in Monroe, North Carolina, where David serves as a superior court judge and Kim teaches at Charlotte Latin School. Laura attends the University of North Carolina Law School and Kathryn is a senior at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ruth Ann (graduate of Wake Forest University, 1977, M.B.A degree from Wake Forest, 1981) married Matthew R. Bee (May 27, 1978- ), a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch. They live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The couple have three daughters: Jocelyn Nicole, Hilary Heather, and Monica Renee. Ruth is at home schooling Hilary and Monica. Jocelyn is a freshman at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.
Carol attended North Carolina State University for three-and-a-half years, then transferred to Appalachian State University-graduating in 1982. Carol married James R. Stoudt in April 1988. The couple have three sons: William Allen, Tyler James, and Caleb Michael. After living in Minnesota for sixteen years, they recently moved to Boone, North Carolina.
In 1953, Appalachian President, B.B 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 provided to Appalachian during his thirty-three year tenure. Bill voluntarily served as “cameraman” to take films of athletics events for the Mountaineers for fifteen years! During most of that time, he donated his services without charge. After he was required to accept payment, he donated his pay, along with enough other fund, to the Yosef Club to make him a member of Appalachian’s most prestigious level of giving, the Chancellor’s Committee. Dr. Carpenter has the distinction of having made a gift to the Appalachian 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. For a number of years, Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter served as sponsors of the Appalachian cheerleaders. The list of accomplishments to Carpenter’s credit clearly reveals his generous spirit of giving to his adopted alma mater. The following are highlights of Dr. Carpenter’s career at Appalachian:
1955 Established Appalachian’s first Greek Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta, and was the organization’s regional vice president for twenty years
1958 Established Appalachian’s Herbarium, now listed in Index Herbarium (international listing)
1959 Began work with United States National Park Service 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 a 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 Appalachian 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 the development of plans for enlargement of the Rankin Science Building
1973 Established Field Biology of Continental USA as a summer course and directed the first trip in 1974, participated in trips in 1977, 1980, 1983, and 1986, elected chair of biology, June 30, 1973
1974 With a grant from NSF and encouragement of Chancellor Herbert Wey, started a program of audio- tutorial labs for over 1,400 general biology students, largest program operation in southeastern U.S.A.
1976 Instrumental in obtaining greenhouses for research and teaching 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 Appalachian Herbarium
1892 Appalachian 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 for many professional organizations. He has been a member of the following civic organizations: Master Snow Masonic Lodge (1960-61) and 32nd Degree Mason; Shriners (Oasis Temple), Charlotte, North Carolina ( participated in several Shrine Bowl games in 1960-70); Rotary Club of Boone; Boone Lions Club; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Moose Lodge of Boone; and the Boone Chamber of Commerce.
The professional organizations Carpenter has belonged to include Trustee Highlands Biological Station; Society of American Foresters; Botanical Society of America; Indiana Academy of Science; North Carolina Academy of Science; Society of Southeastern Biologists; Southern Appalachian Botanical Society; Beta Beta Beta National Biological Society (regional vice president); Sigam Xi national research fraternity.
Carpenter also has several biological publications to his credit:
- “Genetic Investigation of Liriodendron.” Journal of Forestry. 1951.
- “Anatomy of Seedling Roots of Oak.” Journal of Forestry. 1952.
- “Iron Deficiency in Q. Paulustris.” Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science.
- “The Hepatic Flora of Watauga County.” Appalachian State University Faculty Publications. 1963.
- “Commercial Moss Use.” Economic Botany. 1964.
- “The Vascular Flora of Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes and Alleghany Counties of North Carolina.” Association Southeastern Biologists’ Bulletin 23:2 (April 1976).
After retirement, Carpenter did botany consulting and volunteer work for Project on Aging at Watauga Medical Center, where he earned his Senior Pin. He has also traveled extensively with his wife.
In 2003, Carpenter and J. Lou moved to the Gardens of Taylor Glen Retirement Community in Concord, North Carolina-one of the Baptist State Foundations retirement centers in North Carolina.
Sources: Appalachian State University files, and personal correspondence
-Dr. Richard D. Howe |
