John Reynolds (PhD 1973): Alumni Update
John Reynolds (PhD 1973) was the third person to receive a PhD from the Ecology program at UT. It is thanks to his input that the department has an alumni blog! This is what he had to say:
The attached article captures my scientific research up to 2012. In April, I published a major paper on Tennessee earthworms and will publish another in about one year. Earthworm research is only one of 12 disciplines in which I have published and these have been published in whole or in part in 51 languages in 55 different publications totaling over 350 articles and books. Earthworm research has been a family affair as I have co-authored 3 papers with my wife (Wilma), one with my eldest daughter (Kristin) in French, 10 with our middle daughter (Deborah) (9 in Spanish and one in English and Japanese), and one with our youngest daughter Jennifer. Wilma and I have been married for over 50 years and we returned to Canada in 1973 from Knoxville where our eldest daughter was born. The next two daughters were born in Fredericton, New Brunswick; each daughter has two children.
After graduation from UT I worked for Tall Timbers Research Station for three years. Then I was an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Forestry at UNB Fredericton for 3 years. I sold my earthworm collection to the Canadian National Museum (six countries bid for the right to purchase it). With the proceeds we bought a house and I retired for 3 years to complete a law degree. After which I joint the Fredericton Police Force for 10 years, 5 as a Constable and 5 as an Inspector where I taught at all the Police Academies across Canada.
I was then asked to apply for the position of Dean of Resource Technology at Sir Sanford Fleming College. I won the competition as served for 6 years until the government changed and education and health budgets were severely reduced. For a year I consulted on various projects in Canada, Bermuda, Argentina and the United States. Consulting on short term projects was stressful, wondering where the next job would arise.
I studied for a commercial licence and went to work for Schneider National in Green Bay, one year as a driver, 6 months as a trainer and then 7 and a half years as a manager. At the age of 65, I decided it was time to stop working for others and we used the office and lab in our house for consulting which I am still doing today.
Aside from my research work, I have been very active in the various Masonic Orders serving as the District Deputy Grand Master in all Orders. During the non-winter months, I am an avid lawn bowler.