FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Effective today, Dean Donald R. Bobbitt has appointed Dr. Johnnie Gentry director of the University of Arkansas Herbarium, a collection of more than 90,000 pressed and dried plant specimens, some dating back to the late 1800s. Dr. Gentry has resigned as Director of the UA Museum.

"Dr. Gentry has spearheaded the Arkansas Vascular Flora Project, which entails studying 181 families of rare, endangered, or invasive plants in the state. In his new role, he will be able to continue this important work, oversee maintenance of the state’s largest herbarium for teaching and research use, and teach botany courses in the biological sciences department," said Dean Bobbitt.

In addition to serving as full-time director of the University Museum since 1983, Gentry has also served as curator of the Herbarium since 1998. Students and faculty in the biological sciences department regularly use the Herbarium collections to support their teaching and research. Gentry will also ensure that these collections are available as research loans to qualified students and to other research institutions in the country. His salary will be $66,872.

Serving as Interim Director of the Museum will be Dr. John Hehr, professor of geosciences and an associate dean in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Hehr will work with Gentry and museum staff to ensure all remaining collections are catalogued, stored, and maintained in facilities that remain accessible to faculty and students.

"Although the UA Museum doors will close to the public on October 31, the fundamental work of the museum will continue," said Dean Bobbitt. "We will ensure that these important collections continue to serve their primary purpose, which is to enhance the teaching and research mission of the University."

Before Dr. Gentry came to the University of Arkansas to serve as Museum Director, he was Curator of the Bebb Herbarium at the University of Oklahoma and a plant taxonomist for the Oklahoma Biological Survey. He earned his Ph.D. in biology from Columbia University in 1970, and since 1988, he has served as an adjunct professor in biological sciences. As coordinator of the Arkansas Vascular Flora Project, Gentry has established important research partnerships with scientists at universities throughout Arkansas.

"I look forward to concentrating my efforts on the Herbarium and the Arkansas Flora Project," said Dr. Gentry. "Both represent the research and field work I have been conducting for many years. I will now be able to devote my full attention to these projects."