Prof. Karnes joined Georgia Southern University in 2016 and retired in 2026.

 — Biography from the 2026 Spring Commencement program — 

Dr. Karnes earned his BS (1986) and his PhD (1993) from the University at Buffalo SUNY. He retires after more than 40 years in higher education, including the past decade at Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University. During his career, he taught gross human anatomy and neuroscience to nearly 10,000 future health care professionals, including physicians, dentists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. Dr. Karnes has authored and presented more than 70 scholarly publications and presentations. He has greatly valued his career in academia, particularly his final 10 years at Georgia Southern University, and remains deeply appreciative of the commitment and dedication demonstrated by his students. For his service to his profession, the university, and his students, Dr. Karnes is deserving of the title Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Emeritus.*