A Conversation With...
Dr. Graham Hickman

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you get here, (A&M-CC)?

A: I was a “war baby”, meaning my dad was in the military so I was born in Wales, Great Britain. By age two, my family was living in New Jersey where I grew up. I attended Rutgers University in New Jersey where I worked for and received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Biology. Next, I attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where I received a Masters of Art (MA) Degree in Zoology. At Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, I earned my Ph.D. in Zoology. Then, I moved to Africa for fifteen years where I taught school and did research. I saw a job advertisement for a position here in Corpus Christi and I was getting lonely for home. I applied and got the position here at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. I’ve been here now twelve years and I’ve taught twelve different courses like Ecology and Vertebrate Biology to name a few. I’m married with two college age children, one girl and one boy.

Q: What motivates you and has helped you become who you are today?

A: I think it would have to be the students that keep me motivated. They always bring a fresh perspective on things. I’ve been teaching some of these courses for twenty-five years and it never fails that someone will raise their hand in class, and ask a question that I’ve not thought about before, (he chuckles). Ah yea, they always keep me up to date and help me keep a fresh perspective on things.

Q: What makes you passionate about your field and teaching students?

A: I have a basic love of animals. My parents were always interested in nature and animals. They introduced me to and showed an interest in all those sort of things. I think if you’re going to do something all your life, you need to love it! So, I’ve been passionate about this field for a very long time and I just love it!

Q: What course(s) are your favorite to teach?

A: Vertebrate Biology, (the study of animals with a backbone), is the introductory course that I teach that “jump starts” just about every other course that I teach. For example, Herpetology, which is the study of reptiles and amphibians, and Ornithology, the study of birds. Also, I teach Mammalogy, the study of mammals, which are “warm-blooded animals with hair (your warm and fuzzies)”.

Q: What co-curricular activities are you involved in, and how can students become involved with you in those activities?

A: I’m the Faculty Advisor for Tri-Beta (Beta Beta Beta), the National Biological Honors Society. This organization is of course for Biology majors but there is also an associate membership which means that even an Arts or Business major is eligible to join; they just have to come to any meeting to sign up. This is a pretty active group. They get involved in Island Days, Orientation Days and various other activities that are held here on campus. This is a real good way to have and keep students involved in school activities. This is also a good way to make new friends.

Q: Outside of TAMUCC, what extracurricular activities are you involved in; what do you do for fun?

A: My fun things are guitar and synthesizer. I love football, mostly the NFL. Also, I’m a big movie fan. Reason being, growing up in New Jersey, so close to New York, my dad, was always taking me to “shows” and plays in New York. I have a collection of autographs, which include movie stars like John Wayne, Judy Garland and a whole lot more. Finally, I like to travel, whenever time permits. “Seems like there is just never enough time.”

Q: Who inspired you the most or had the greatest impact during your collegiate experience which directed you to your field of study?

A: I’ve always had a love of biology and zoology, so I would probably have to say my parents first. Secondly, I’d need to mention a person when I started graduate school, Dr. Brown, who introduced and inspired me to study mammals.

Q: What is your greatest achievement and whom do you attribute this to?

A: I don’t know that I could pick a single achievement, because it just all depends on how you define “achievement,” and who’s giving the definition. The way I see it, I’ve always maintained a love, passion and interest for biology which I attribute to my parents. In an another sense, my students learning and passing their classes are also my achievements. By other standards, I guess having my biography published in Who’s Who in the World would be another achievement earned as my research became well known in traveling the world.

Q: What question does the study of Biology attempt to answer?

A: Biology tries to answer all of those questions about life. How did life come about, change, and how does it function? What is life and in what forms does it exist? Where does life exist? When did life first appear? And finally, Why does life persist and why is it important to be knowledgeable in the area of life sciences?

Q: Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?

A: A dress!