2008 Woodie Awards
Longtime Biology Prof. Awarded Honorary Degree
Olivia Carrano
Issue date: 4/20/06 Section: News
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B. Elizabeth Horner, the Myra M. Sampson professor emerita of biological sciences who has taught biology to countless women for more than six decades, will be celebrated on April 21, in the same month she also celebrates her 90th birthday. In an upcoming private ceremony, Horner will be awarded an honorary degree by Smith College, where she has worked for the majority of her lifetime.
"Betty's devotion to field work and the study of animal behavior has infused her students with similar dedication," said Virginia Hayssen, professor of biological sciences. "Joy, kindness, generosity, modesty and grace radiate from her and warm even the coldest souls. She brings that grace to human and non-human animals alike and, in doing so, the world is a better place."
In 1938, Horner began to perform research at Smith. She graduated from Douglass College, enrolled in a master's program at Smith and worked with students as a teaching fellow in zoology. She retired from teaching at Smith in 1986 but her love for expanding the intellectual life of her students continued. Today, she continues to perform research with a student assistant.
Throughout her career, Horner is best known for her understanding of the complex interplay of behavioral and anatomical adaptations of small mammals to their environments.
Horner has performed research through her travels in Australia, Jordan, Kenya and Panama. She has published more than 45 research articles from her experiences in these countries. Eight of the articles were studies on the dormouse. Her work with this species established her reputation as a biologist and research zoologist.
Her dissertation, which was published in 1954, was considered to be a landmark in the study of adaptive behavior of arboreal animals. Looking back at her work, Horner stated of her life that she "loved every minute of it."
"Betty's devotion to field work and the study of animal behavior has infused her students with similar dedication," said Virginia Hayssen, professor of biological sciences. "Joy, kindness, generosity, modesty and grace radiate from her and warm even the coldest souls. She brings that grace to human and non-human animals alike and, in doing so, the world is a better place."
In 1938, Horner began to perform research at Smith. She graduated from Douglass College, enrolled in a master's program at Smith and worked with students as a teaching fellow in zoology. She retired from teaching at Smith in 1986 but her love for expanding the intellectual life of her students continued. Today, she continues to perform research with a student assistant.
Throughout her career, Horner is best known for her understanding of the complex interplay of behavioral and anatomical adaptations of small mammals to their environments.
Horner has performed research through her travels in Australia, Jordan, Kenya and Panama. She has published more than 45 research articles from her experiences in these countries. Eight of the articles were studies on the dormouse. Her work with this species established her reputation as a biologist and research zoologist.
Her dissertation, which was published in 1954, was considered to be a landmark in the study of adaptive behavior of arboreal animals. Looking back at her work, Horner stated of her life that she "loved every minute of it."
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