Joe F. Nix

Professor Emeritus, Chemistry

Joe Nix received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Arkansas in 1966 after graduating from Ouachita Baptist College in 1961.  Immediately following graduation, he joined the faculty of Ouachita Baptist University where he served until his retirement in 1994.  In 1987 he was appointed to the W. D. and Alice Burch Chair of Chemistry and Pre-Medical Sciences.  While at Ouachita, Dr. Nix taught courses in general chemistry, advanced inorganic chemistry, and radiochemistry.  He organized a research group to study the chemistry of natural water systems.  With funding from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Corps of Engineers Waterway Experiment Station, National Park Service and the Water Resources Research Center (Department of the Interior), this group conducted detailed studies of many of the major lakes and rivers throughout Arkansas.  During his twenty-eight year tenure, Dr. Nix attracted $6,000,000 in research funding. He served on numerous state committees and commissions including the State Committee on Stream Preservation, Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, Arkansas Mercury Task Force, and the Eagle Mortality Task Force.  He has been recognized both by conservation groups such as the Ozark Society and by industrial environmental groups such as the Arkansas Environmental Federation.  In 1980, Dr. Nix received a Fellow of the Museum Award from the Arkansas Museum of Science and History. He was inducted into the Game and Fish Commission Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame in 1999. Following his retirement from Ouachita, he joined the staff of the Ross Foundation where he served as Director of Programs from 1995 through 2004.  He married the former Laura McHaney and have one daughter, Erin.