It’s the art of preparing, stuffing and mounting the skins of animals and especially vertebrates, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.Yes, that’s right, taxidermy. No longer is it just a profession; it’s now become a course at Baker University.

Roger Boyd, senior professor of biology, is teaching the course during Baker’s interterm session this January. It’s not the first time Boyd has taught the course to Baker students during the three-week period between semesters.

“I don’t recall how many times, but I think I’ve taught it five or six times during interterm,” Boyd said. “The last time I taught it was 1998 or 1999. I’ve taught a number of people during the semester for an independent study.”

Baker junior Kyle Ruona, a 2005 graduate of Baldwin High School, heard rumors about the course being offered again this winter. He also knew that it wasn’t the first time the class was an option for interterm.

“Before I came here, some alumni from about 10 years ago, had mentioned how Boyd had offered a taxidermy class, so I had heard about it then,” Ruona said. “People mentioned that Boyd was trying to do the class again during my freshman and sophomore years.”

Now the course has returned to Baker, with one noticeable change. Last time the course was offered, 24 students enrolled. This time, Boyd shrunk that maximum number of students to 15.

All 15 spots were filled in the beginning, but two students dropped the course before it started, leaving 13 to learn the art form of taxidermy.

“It drove me nuts,” Boyd said of having 24 students in the class. “Even with 13, I can’t get around to all of them as fast as I would like to, but it’s much better than last time. I had some very frustrated people, because I couldn't get around to them quickly enough.

“What I’ve been doing differently this time is encourage them to work with each other,” Boyd said. “I told them if someone has already done a particular technique, find out how to do it from them and pay attention to what they are doing. That has seemed to eliminate a lot of the questions.”

Ruona agreed with his professor, saying the students talk about their problem with each other and try to learn as they go.

“We talk quite a bit,” Ruona said. “All of us sort of go through the same types of troubles. We all vent at each other and laugh at each other. It’s a lot of fun.”

Boyd’s new teaching technique has helped many of the students, but he still remains busy during class time.

“It can get pretty hairy at times,” Boyd said. “Everybody wants me to help them all at once. I enjoy it when they do a good job and they have the satisfaction of being able to show this to other people.”..Read Full Story