The Stampede

Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Tim Hurtak Leek enjoys being surrounded by the biological world.

Associate Professor of Biology Gary Leek didn't sit around watching "The Andy Griffith Show" or "Hogan's Heroes" growing up in rural Missouri. Instead, he spent his childhood outdoors fishing, hunting and exploring the world around him, including looking at plants.

Now he is the type of professor that inspires me to take an extra look at living creatures around me. Thanks to Leek, when I'm walking to class and see a pinecone, I can say, "This Coniferophyta must be in the germination phase of the life cycle!"

Just the other day, I found myself pinpointing the hypocotyl on a bean seed. My friends told me that I needed to find other hobbies.

Nonetheless, since I have been a part of Leek's biology class for non-majors, I have found myself so completely fascinated with the world around me.

As Leek once said, "Mother Nature, she's a clever gal!" I wondered how Leek became so enthralled with the biological world.

"I wanted to know how plants work," Leek said.

His father, a high school graduate, was a tool and die maker. Leek didn't have much guidance from his parents in regards to academics. He had to figure things out on his own.

In the beginning stages, Leek said that he was a bit na've when it came to finding a field of study that would suit him best. His friends told him to try a degree in engineering. After one semester of engineering at the University of Missouri, he soon realized his brain had not been wired for such an endeavor.

He began to pursue a degree in biology and education. Leek liked the idea of teaching a subject he had always been so passionate about..

Leek decided that he did not want to settle for a high school teaching job. He and his wife were having a son, and he didn't want her to have to work while raising a child.

Leek went on to get his master's degree in botany at Auburn University in Alabama. Following that, he put another notch in his belt by receiving a scholarship to attend Michigan State where he received his doctorate in plant physiology.


Leek worked temporarily for DuPont, a chemical development company. While employed there, he aided in the process of creating an herbicide that would kill weeds that overtake crop plants, yet would be harmless to humans and animals.

Leek enjoyed the work, but he disliked many of the attributes of the field. He said, "the corporate culture just wasn't for me." Finally, Leek began to seek out his destiny as a teacher.

Leek has taught biology at Milligan for 10 years. He devotes his time to clarifying the subject matter.

"It's difficult finding a good balance when grading, I'm not going to give out easy A's, but I also don't want to overwhelm the students completely."

In Leek's classroom, students might learn something new about the environment in which we live. Leek will do what it takes to make that happen.

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