08/04/2026
🌟 Get to Know Me Spotlight Questionnaire
Name: Ms. Lynda Loucks🦇
Title/Department: UCO NHM Director 🫎
How long have you been at the university/organization? 24 years
1. What is your role, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I manage natural history collections at UCO and teach environmental biology and bio med term. I am committed to helping my students appreciate and enjoy nature and biodiversity. I am also protective of our natural history collections and taxidermy and enjoy organizing and preserving our specimens.
2. Growing up, what did you want to be? What inspired your path?
When I was 5, I wanted to study dinosaurs as a paleontologist. Likely the interest was generated through National Geographics, road trips, and visiting natural history museums. Once I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, I wanted to be adventuring archaeologist Indiana Jones. In both cases, I seemed interested in dead things and artifacts early on so managing the “Dead Zoo” at UCO is a fitting compromise.
3. What is one professional accomplishment you’re especially proud of?
Publication of the Mammals of Oklahoma, second edition and Records of Occurrence: A Companion to the Mammals of Oklahoma.
4.Most Challenging part of your job?
Time management can be tough when juggling all aspects of the job during the semester. Also, protection of our taxidermy and collections is constantly on my mind.
5. Most Rewarding?
I love hearing from students (sometimes years later) that tell me they saw something about bats and thought of me! Or something about the environment discussed in class and how it helped them be better citizens of the earth.
6. How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend time with the hubs, dog Buddy, and our adult kids when possible. The adventure of travel is always on the radar. I also try to stay current with global ecological and bat research.
7. What do you consider your favorite hobby?
I love to watch sports (Thunder, Packers, Rangers, FIFA), enjoy visiting museums, going to concerts, hiking trails, and reading when I have time.
8. Best life advice ever received?
“Don’t borrow trouble” great advice from my Granny and “Give yourself a break” from my mom. I still hear the echoes of their advice.
9. Best advice for students?
Go to class! Unplug and immerse yourself in nature. And see above life advice.
10. "Fun Facts"
I was born in Virginia. I am a bat enthusiast, Green Bay Packers shareholder, and have plans to visit all the National Parks and NFL stadiums eventually. I have gone to see Paul McCartney 4 times, Chris Stapleton 7 times, and 311 in concert 25 times.
11. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Pay off bills of course! Help our kids financially, followed by the environment. It would be rewarding to donate funds to causes beneficial for nature, bats, and humanity. Travelling would be on the list as well (Egypt in particular).
