“The most memorable moments for me are the commencements, when I see the kids that I've spent the last two or three years working with, going forward and having a path after they're done here.”
Dr. Charles Lamb
Every commencement, Biology Professor Dr. Charles Lamb stood quietly among the crowd, watching his students cross the stage—each one a testament to the years he spent guiding, mentoring, and believing in them. Now, after 30 years of service at Black Hills State University, he prepares to retire, leaving behind not just a career, but a legacy woven into the lives of those he helped shape.
Lamb began his academic career by attending Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and Fisheries. He continued his studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge earning a Master of Science in Zoology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Lamb began his tenure at BHSU in 1995 as an Assistant Professor of Biology.
“The fact that BHSU was a small school in a college town near the hills was really appealing. I had three young kids at that time, so I figured this would be a great place to raise a family,” said Dr. Lamb. “I wanted to find a place that would be a good home and a university that would allow me to teach and have an impact on students.”
Over the past three decades, Lamb has taught 36 different courses, ranging from lectures and labs to seminars, internships, and research. A familiar presence in many of those classes was his dog, Bear, who often accompanied him to campus and quickly became a favorite among students. Lamb also developed and taught interdisciplinary courses in the Honors Program, Environmental Science, Science Education, American Indian Studies, and Service Learning.
“I invested a lot of my energy into the development of our science programs and facilities. My relationships with students also became important to me, and the last half of my career here has really been about the students that come in,” added Lamb.
Lamb’s scholarly contributions include nine peer-reviewed journal articles, one book chapter, and nine refereed symposia presentations. He has mentored 20 undergraduate research projects, and his commitment to student success is evident in his role as the primary advisor for pre-health professions. Since 1996, Lamb has also organized and supervised the Health Sciences Student Organization, which aims to prepare preprofessional students for a career in one of the many health care disciplines.
Dr. Lamb’s impact was not only academic—it was deeply personal. He found joy in the quiet victories: a student finding their path, a research project taking shape, a graduate stepping confidently into the world. These moments, repeated year after year, became the heartbeat of his career.
Dr. Nicole Henriksen, an ‘06 BHSU graduate who is now an optometrist in Montana, recalled her first encounter with Dr. Lamb during an interview for the university’s premier biology scholarship. “He asked me what my goals were, and I replied that I wanted to play college basketball and go to school for pre-med. He flashed his crooked smirk of a smile and replied, ‘In that order?’ That was the first of many life lessons I learned from Charlie Lamb. Get your priorities straight and know your audience. Lucky for me, I earned the scholarship and gained a mentor, a lifelong teacher, and a friend,” she said.
“I've taken a big role in advising pre-health professional students, something I started the first year I got here, and that has been what's been really rewarding,” Lamb said. “The most memorable moments for me are the commencements, when I see the kids that I've spent the last two or three years working with, going forward and having a path after they're done here.”
In addition to teaching and research mentorships, Dr. Lamb served as the Chair of School of Natural Sciences from 2002 to 2017, Chief Research Officer since 2017, and Director of the Sanford Science Education Center since 2015. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2001 Most Outstanding Faculty Member Award, the 2015 Faculty Mentor of the Year Award, and the 2023 Outstanding Teaching Award.
Looking ahead, Dr. Lamb is excited to pursue his interests in fly fishing, hiking, camping, and skiing as well as spending more time with his children.
“One thing I've loved about BHSU is the community,” Dr. Lamb said. “I've spent my time here trying to make this the best university and community it can be. I feel really good about that and know that it will continue, and that's what makes me the happiest about spending 30 years here.”
