For many years, Dr. L.A. Logan served as a mentor and friend to three young biology professors at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia. Dr. Henry Robison is the only one who still remains at the University, and he has been awarded the Dr. L.A. Logan Professorship in Biology.
“I am very honored to receive this professorship,” said Robison, “especially as how well I knew Dr. Logan.”
According to Robison, Logan took him under his wing when he joined the Department of Biology faculty. Logan referred to Robison, Dr. Dan England, and the late Dr. Hugh Johnson as “my boys.”
“I have the highest respect for Dr. Logan as an administrator, teacher, and person,” said Robison, who is a professor of biology. “This is such a personal recognition because I knew Dr. Logan for 35 years. He had a special place in his heart for our department and the people in it.”
Robison joined the SAU faculty in 1971. He earned his B.S. and M.S. from Arkansas State University and his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He has authored five books and 121 scientific publications during his 34-year tenure at SAU. He is a past president of the Arkansas Academy of Science and is a member of numerous scientific societies.
“Dr. Robison is, indeed, one of our most outstanding scientists,” said Dr. David Rankin, president of SAU. “His book, Fishes of Arkansas, is one of the best-known publications on this topic ever published. In addition, he is the co-author of Only in Arkansas, a study of the endemic plants and animals of the state. Recent publications include co-authorship of The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas and Fishes of Oklahoma. It is certainly fitting, and I am sure Dr. Logan would be proud, to have a professorship assigned to an individual of such outstanding accomplishment.”
Endowing professorships, chairs for the deans of colleges, and funding learning opportunities allows the University to attract and retain the finest teachers, scholars, and scientists for today and the future.
“The Logan Professorship was the result of Dr. Logan’s kindness and generosity through his thoughtful planning of his estate,” said Art Horne, director of the Office of Development at SAU.
