Dr. Rick Hammer
Dr. Rick Hammer, assistant professor of biology and
environmental science, teaches undergraduate courses in general botany, general
ecology, computers in science, and various elective courses such as
environmental ethics. He is also a faculty member in the Environmental
Management Graduate Program.
Hammer is the faculty advisor for the Hardin-Simmons chapter
of Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society.
His research expertise is in plant molecular systematics.
Research interests include the conservation of endangered plant populations,
and he has conducted floristic surveys at Abilene State Park. While very much
interested in research, Hammer is fully committed to teaching and educating
students and he sees this as his primary responsibility at Hardin-Simmons.
In his teaching, Hammer seeks to explore such areas as
environmental stewardship and ethics, and global climate change from both a
scientific and faith perspective.
Outside of academia he has worked as an information
technology consultant for Lockheed Martin in the F-16 Fighting Falcon program
and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Hammer is active in his church as an adult leader for Royal
Ambassadors. He is a Cub Scout Den Leader and serves as the Outdoor Ethics
Advocate for the 17-county Abilene area Boy Scouts of America council. He is a
master educator with the Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics program .
He enjoys Dutch oven cooking, hiking, reading, coaching
Little League baseball, and spending time with his family.
Degrees Earned
- Bachelor of Business
Administration, Accounting and Information Systems, University of Texas, Permian
Basin, 1983
- Master of Science, Forest Science,
Texas A&M University, 1993
- Doctor of Philosophy, Botany,
Texas A&M University, 2010