Bethia King

From the NIU Newsroom, 10/9/2023
Feet, antennae, wings—it’s all a matter of taste for insects, NIU researchers say

What year did you start working at NIU?
1989

Where is your hometown? and where do you live now?
Morgantown, West Virginia; DeKalb, Illinois

Where did you attend college and what degree(s) have you earned?
B.A., West Virginia University
Ph.D., Purdue University

In which department(s) do you teach?
Department of Biological Sciences

What do you like about working at NIU?
I like the abundance of green space, the walkability and bike-ability. And of course, I like the people: students, colleagues and others who work here. NIU is a friendly place and genuinely student-focused. NIU makes college affordable to more students, by trying to protect and grow money for scholarships and by trying to fund student opportunities, like opportunities to participate in research.

What advice would you give to students currently attending NIU?
Thinking, questioning and learning is fun. It makes life richer. Some of the details in courses may not seem useful currently, but the details help you see the bigger picture. Also, it is hard to predict now what will be useful to you in your future, so try to learn as much as you can while you have the opportunity. There are lots of good paths in life, and if your initial career path changes, that is okay.

Tell us about a research or engaged learning project you have led.
My students and I research flies that are pests on livestock farms, as well as the wasps that parasitize the flies. Some current research is on what the flies and wasps eat on dairy farms, what tastes they and other insects can perceive and how fly control can be made more effective. I am fortunate to have had a student whose extended family lets us use their dairy farm for research. One current student-led project is testing whether providing flowers as a source of nectar can increase the wasps’ ability to parasitize and kill the flies.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring students?
Every student is different, and I enjoy learning about them and seeing how they grow over time. Sometimes, years later they bring their own children to see the lab, or through their posts on social media, I see them passing on a love of biology, nature and knowledge to their own kids.

What do you hope students take away from their college experience?
Better critical thinking skills and more knowledge, and enthusiasm for attaining more of both throughout their lives. Both can make their lives more interesting and can help them make better decisions.

What is your favorite memory of NIU?
So many. The people. Sometimes students or colleagues bring their children by my office where I have insect toys for them to search for, or they bring their kids to see the lab. Or through social media, I see photos of students and colleagues passing on a love of biology, nature and knowledge to their own kids. I also have fond memories of bringing my own kids up to campus when they were little on cold weekend days to look at slide shows of animals and act out examples of interesting animal behavior. As they got older, they would come with me on weekends to help me take care of my fly colony, or just to keep me company.

What’s one thing about NIU that’s surprised you?
Not much, because my father was a biology professor too, although he hadn't shared how lively the discussions at faculty meetings sometimes are.

What fulfills you personally and professionally?
Learning and helping others.

Which of NIU’s core values align with your own?
All of them, except I always say that scientifically demonstrated effectiveness, not innovation, is what matters to me, particularly with regards to teaching and learning.

Who has influenced your professional path?
My parents loved learning and always had lots of books for us to read, including lots of biology books. During the three years of my childhood when we lived in east Africa, we visited lots of animal parks. I had a great Ph.D. advisor. My husband was also a biology professor. We talked so much about work that I felt like I never got a break from it, so we made a rule of no talk of work during weekends.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you currently doing it? If not, what changed your path?
I didn’t give much thought to what I wanted to be, other than that I wanted to be smart and a kind person. That is still my desire.

Are you participating in or have you participated in any NIU shared governance or professional development groups? If so, how has your participation enhanced your experience as an employee?
No, large groups of people are not my strength, except when I am teaching.

Are you a member of or hold a position within a professional or community organization? If so, what organization? What is the purpose of that organization and how does being part of this organization benefit you in your role at NIU?
I’m a member of the Entomological Society of America. Being a member allows me and my students to connect with other entomologists from all over the world.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
Garden, read memoirs, spend time with family, bike, walk and identify living things, especially plants, because they stay still.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
One of my own kids got a degree from NIU, although not in biology, and I was impressed with the quality of education that she got.