March 15, 2024
Renowned academic figure Collis Geren, who served as the dean of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas, passed away on January 2, 2024. With a remarkable career spanning 34 years at the U of A, Geren held various positions such as professor, department chair, dean, and vice provost for research.
Ed Pohl, the dean of the Graduate School and International Education, remarked, “For many years, Collis Geren exemplified the ethos of collaboration and student-centeredness that characterizes our endeavors at the University of Arkansas. His dedication to expanding our research capacities and advancing graduate education, along with his fervor for teaching and mentoring students, has been instrumental in positioning the U of A as a leading research institution.”
Chancellor Charles Robinson added, “Collis Geren’s forward-thinking leadership of the Graduate School played a pivotal role in elevating the U of A to the ranks of the nation’s top universities. His unwavering commitment to student achievement and research excellence laid a solid foundation for our recent triumphs, cementing our standing as a center of innovation and transformative educational opportunities.”
Born on March 28, 1945, in northeastern Oklahoma, Collis Geren spent his formative years working in the family grocery store before obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State College. Following his graduation, he initiated a high school science program in Picher, Oklahoma, before pursuing further education. Geren earned a master’s degree from Pittsburg State University and a doctorate in biochemistry from Oklahoma State University. After more than ten years as an assistant professor at the U of A, he transitioned to roles in higher education administration.
In 1991, Geren was appointed as the associate vice chancellor for research and dean of the Graduate School, where he harnessed the strength of graduate education to enhance the university’s research initiatives. Throughout his career, his focus remained steadfastly on prioritizing the needs of students in all decision-making processes.
Reflecting on her husband’s legacy, Lois Geren shared, “His fundamental belief was always, ‘Students first.’”
Under Geren’s stewardship, graduate enrollment at the U of A surged from under 2,400 students in 1991 to 3,370 students in 2008, the year preceding his retirement. He played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding several interdisciplinary academic programs, earning accolades such as the Distinguished Alumni Award for teaching and research from the Arkansas Alumni Association. Geren’s dedication to graduate education was further recognized through the establishment of the Collis R. Geren Award for Contributions to Graduate Education in 2010.
Colleagues fondly remember Geren for his intellect, innovation, humility, and kindness. Patricia Koski, former dean of the Graduate School and International Education, recalled, “Collis Geren was a visionary leader who emphasized the importance of student support within the Graduate School.”
Apart from his academic contributions, Geren was widely acknowledged for his expertise in brown recluse spiders, a passion stemming from a childhood incident involving his father’s spider bite. His research primarily focused on spider venoms, particularly those of the brown recluse.
Lois reminisced about their “spider safaris,” nocturnal expeditions to abandoned structures in pursuit of arachnids. These ventures often yielded hundreds of spiders, which were later dissected in the laboratory for venom gland analysis.
In retirement, Geren indulged in his lifelong passion for automobiles, meticulously restoring numerous vehicles over the years. According to Lois, he dedicated his retirement years to his garage, where he would transform scrap metal into impressive automotive creations.
A memorial service to commemorate Collis Geren’s life is in the planning stages, with further details forthcoming. Those wishing to honor his legacy can contribute to the Collis Geren Award, a scholarship fund for graduate students, or the Collis R. Geren and Patricia R. Koski Award for Excellence in Graduate Education, presented annually to outstanding individuals in the graduate faculty and staff. Donations can be sent to 1125 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, AR 72701.