Ralph W. Dimmick
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Ralph W. Dimmick is Professor of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries. He holds a joint appointment in research (60%) and teaching (40%). He also participates in the Graduate Program in Ecology. He came to the UT Institute of Agriculture in 1966 with the Department of Forestry. He was instrumental in establishing the B.S. and M.S. degree programs in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Dr. Dimmick's research interests center on the relationship between land management and wildlife populations in agricultural and forest environments. He has a special interest in northern bobwhites and ruffed grouse. In recent years his interests have expanded to include natural resource conservation in Latin America.
A native of southern Illinois, Dr. Dimmick received his B.A. and M.A. in zoology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He completed his Ph.D. degree at the University of Wyoming, where he studied the ecology of Canada geese in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Prior to his coming to UT, Dr. Dimmick taught biology for two years at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.
Dr. Dimmick has authored more than 70 technical publications, and has presented his research findings at numerous regional, national, and international meetings. He has served as Associate Editor for Wildlife for the Journal of Wildlife Management. He has also served as editor for the Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Dr. Dimmick was charter president for the Tennessee Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and has served the Society in numerous other capacities. He has participated in international activities in Ecuador, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Poland, and several other European countries.
During his 31 years at the University of Tennessee, Ralph taught a variety of courses including Ecology and Management of Wild Birds, Planning and Administration of Fish and Wildlife Programs, Ethics in Wildlife and Fisheries Management, and International Natural Resource Management Issues. He advised about 40 undergraduate students per year, and has advised 4-7 graduate students each semester. He has directed about 50 M.S. students and 3 Ph. D. students.
Dr. Dimmick retired in June of 1998.
Ralph enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and birddogs. He grows Christmas trees in a choose and cut operation in west Knox County. Dr. Dimmick lives in Farragut, TN with his wife Susan. Ralph has two children, three stepchildren, and four grandchildren.
