For Sam Ray, program resource specialist for the department of Communications, and Dr. Bradley Ray, associate professor of Fisheries, it all started at a department meeting where Sam, who was Sam Covington at the time, was supposed to speak to Dr. Ray’s entire department. He took the
opportunity to introduce himself to her and the rest is history.
Dr. Ray is from Omaha, Neb. and Sam Ray is from Champagne, Ill., but her parents are originally from Weakley County. Her parents moved the family back to Martin while she was in high school. She later attended UTM, where she majored in Business, because she enjoys management.
Dr. Ray earned his Bachelors with a double major in Biology and Fish & Wildlife Ecology from Northern College. He then attended University of Minnesota Duluth and received his Masters in Biology, followed by Virginia Tech where he received his Ph.D. in Fisheries & Wildlife.
Dr. Ray has been teaching at UTM for six years and he thoroughly enjoys it. He teaches a variety of courses such as Natural Resource Management, Fisheries Management, Aquatic Science and a few Human Dimension courses.
Some of his favorite experiences at UTM have been all the travel study trips he has led. There have been three to be exact, two of which have been to the Amazon and one to New Zealand, which is where he proposed to Covington after dating for two years. He also participated in travel studies as an undergraduate student.
Sam Ray’s favorite experiences at UTM have been seeing the students that worked at the bookstore grow as individuals in her time there.
“That was the highlight for me, seeing them grow as people and helping them learn skills, so that they could go out and be successful in the world. That was important to me,” Ray said.
Dr. Ray co-advises the Wildlife Society on campus. He encourages students to get involved on campus and with travel studies because involvement helps with time management.
“The benefits that they get for being in those organizations are huge, so getting involved with those organizations is good. You learn skills you aren’t going to learn in class. You’ll have a group of students helping you apply for jobs and networking,” Dr. Ray said.
The couple also enjoys traveling. Frequently, they attend concerts and football games in Nashville. Since The House Band played at their wedding, they usually attend their shows. They also plan to visit Italy this summer, because it’s at the top of Ray’s bucket list. They don’t have any children, but Ray loves cats and Dr. Ray loves saltwater fish.
“We have a Nemo tank, and I name all the fish after Disney characters,” Ray said.
