Joel Watkins, laboratory coordinator for biology and chemistry, prepares the labs for the lab sections of science classes. Even in labs using hazardous materials and relatively dangerous supplies, Watkins makes sure students work in a clean, safe environment.

He also is somewhat of a mentor to part-time faculty, helping them master new lab procedures before teaching their classes. He regularly uses his own time on weekends to set up experiments or during his vacation to care for plants in the new greenhouse. He also donated hundreds of hours to co-author a new lab manual for Biology 101 classes with four biology faculty members.

Watkins’ workload has grown over the years, with the number of biology course sections alone doubling since 1989. Add to that the new greenhouse, which is twice the size of the old one. His next challenge will be to help set up the labs in the Biomedical Tehcnology Building for its opening in September 2008.