The Department of Chemistry and College of Science, Engineering and Technology at Murray State University are proud to establish annual Gary Boggess Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry.  Dr. Gary Boggess is a former Dean of the College of Science and faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Murray State University.  This seminar is in recognition of Dean Boggess' years of distinguished service to the department, college, and university.  Please read a biographical sketch for more information.

The 1st Annual Gary Boggess Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry..click HERE.

The 2nd Annual Gary Boggess Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry..click HERE.

The 3rd Annual Gary Boggess Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry..click HERE.

The 4th Annual Gary Boggess Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry..click HERE.

The 5th Annual Gary Boggess Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry..click HERE.

6th Annual Gary Boggess
Distinguished Lecture in Chemistry

We were very fortunate to have as our speaker this year Dr. Earl Jones, former Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Emory Medical School and current owner and operator of Abacela Vineyards and Winery. Dr. Jones is a Murray State alumnus and will talk about his life after MSU as a dermatologist and owner of a winery (www.abacela.com).

Drs. Earl Jones and Gary Boggess

"Life After Science At MSU”

MSU took me, a local farm boy, and via dedicated professors who insured principles were adhered to reinforced the validity of the scientific thought process, infused more knowledge than I could grasp, all the while allowing me to be an individual and mature socially on campus. The experience altered my course in life and taught me that I was fit for the contest and could do what I desired. This talk will cover my experiences at Murray State University and how it shaped my life as a doctor and the owner of winery.

Biography of Dr. Earl Jones

Born: Detroit Michigan, 24 January, 1940

Raised on a small farm near Marshall/Calloway line

Primary Education: Marshall County KY public schools starting at Jackson (a one room school), Brewers School, (augmented by my parents gift of the World Book Encyclopedias, 1950 edition), and South Marshall High School (including sports, principally Basketball).

At High School Graduation in 1958 my goals were to be a Professor and do Research, Teach and Coach Basketball.

At MSU from 1958 to Graduation in 1961 these goals were slowly modified.

Great Moments at MSU

1. Finding out how poorly educated I was but that I did have good study habits, an encyclopedic fund of knowledge and some ability.

2. Getting to know, Drs. Walter Blackburn, Liza Spann, Roberta Whitnah, C. S. Lowery, Peter Panzera, Karl Hussing, Evelyn Lynn, Hunter Hancock, Anne Markham and others.

3. Working as a Chemistry Department Stock Room attendant

4. Serving as a Chemistry Laboratory Assistant

5. Working for the Calloway County ASC office measuring Tobacco acreage

6. Summer 1961, Teaching (under Dr. Blackburn) a “Basic Chemistry Course” for High School teachers who had no science background.

7. Working 12 hour night shifts at Ryan Milk

8. Making and firing rockets at Orchard Heights/Clay mine, including an errant nozzle into someone’s bathroom.

9. Pledging BTB and becoming an ATO

10. Making and Firing a Cannon (targeted at rats and barns) that became MSU’s first Football Game Cannon.

To summarize: I gave up on the dream of coaching Basketball (my sons Middle School team doesn’t count) and altered my career into medicine.

During the next 43 years:

1. Became a Medical Doctor, Tulane, 1961-65

2. Residency in Dermatology, UC San Francisco,1966-69

3. 10 Years in US Army, Vietnam 1969, Rank, Lt Colonel

4. Board certified in Dermatology, 1970.

5. Studied Infection, Immunology and Host defense.

6 Authored >100 scientific papers.

7. Participated in Development of several new drugs

8. Professor at U of California (SF), U of Michigan, Emory Univ.

9 Trained more than 100 Dermatologists, PhD’s to careers in medicine or research.  

10. Provided Health Care at these University Clinics Hospitals and later in private practice.

11. Chaired the Department of Dermatology at Emory and almost did the frightful thing of becoming a dean.

In 1992 I added the avocations of Viticulture and Enology to my plate and begin shifting away from Medicine and towards the establishment of a family winemaking business. In 2004 I retired from the practice of Medicine.

Hobbies:

Early; Chemistry & Science, Coin Collecting

MSU era: Rocketry & Cannons

Mid Life: Sailing & Racing Sail Boats, Genealogy

Later Life: Food and Wine, especially trying to understand wine and what makes it tick.

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This site was created by Ricky Cox in the Department of Chemistry
Last Modified:  February 18, 2006