Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Dr. Anthony A. Echelle

Earning a B.S. degree in natural sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1963, Dr. Anthony A. Echelle went on to obtain an M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma. He taught at Cameron University and Baylor University before coming to Oklahoma State University in 1980. At OSU, he built a national reputation in evolutionary genetics and conservation of fishes. In 2004 he was designated a Regents Professor, the most prestigious position that may be attained in recognition of scholarship by OSU faculty. His research and consultation with state and federal agencies has been influential in setting priorities and developing conservation strategies for imperiled fishes in the American Southwest. He has published 88 scientific articles in the most prestigious journals in his field and has written 13 chapters for edited books. His contributions have been recognized by awards from the Southwestern Association of Naturalists and from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His passion for the natural world has been communicated to 32 graduate students who received the M.S. or Ph.D. under his direction. For excellence in training graduate students he received OSU's Phoenix Award for Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching. As Dr. Echelle has honored Oklahoma with his teaching and scholarly attainment, as well as with his public service, so Oklahoma honors him with induction into the Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2009.