Terry Yates, Ph.D, (1950-2007), spent his entire professional career in the employment of the University of New Mexico. He was first appointed Assistant Professor of Biology and Curator of Mammals in 1978. Terry rose through the ranks to become Professor of Biology and later Chair of Biology, Director of the Museum of Southwestern Biology, Professor of Pathology (School of Medicine), and was eventually appointed Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the position he served in until his death. During his tenure as Vice-President for research, the total amount of research awards rose from $247 million to nearly $300 million.

Terry held numerous professional positions and received many honors during his career. He was a member of the Board of Life Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the American Society of Mammalogists, their highest honor. He published 130 research papers, and chaired 17 Ph.D. students. His synthetic research was highly collaborative and centered primarily on the ecology and evolution of mammals and their associated parasites and pathogens. In August 2007 the UNM Regents presented Terry with the Regents Meritorious Service Award.

In honor of Terry Yates’ contribution to the University of New Mexico and evolutionary biology, the Museum of Southwestern Biology established the Terry Yates Endowment for Field Mammalogy. January 21, 2008, Robert J. Reid, Executive Director of the Maddox Foundation issued a challenge grant in the amount of $50,000 to start the Terry Yates Endowment for Field Mammalogy. “This grant…will be awarded when funds from all other sources…totaling $50,000 are received.

Contributions must be received, as opposed to be pledged, by Grantee, no later than June 30, 2008…to be eligible for funds under the terms and conditions of the Grant.” And, “documentation (of all donors) should include a list, by name, of donors and amounts received. In-kind gifts (goods or services) do not qualify for matching funds.”

The Museum of Southwestern Biology is confident the challenge can be met by June 30, 2008. Please donate to this endowment. Funds raised will be used to assist UNM biology students participate in field research, an important part of Terry’s life and research. Donations can be made by going to: https://unm.securesites.net/give-online/fdn/. Please click on either of the drop boxes and choose the “Terry Yates Endowment for Field Mammalogy”. If you have questions regarding this Challenge, please contact Thomas Turner, Director, Museum of Southwestern Biology at (505) 277-7541 or turnert@unm.edu, or Joseph Cook, Curator of Mammals (505) 277-1358 or cookjose@unm.edu.