He received his BA in History from St. Edwards University in 1972, his MA in history from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1976 and his PhD in American history from Texas A&M University in 1985. His areas of research include United States maritime history and Texas history. He is a past-president of the East Texas Historical Association and is on the Board of Directors of the Gulf South Historical Association. His area of research focuses on United States maritime labor history, so he would like to contact Mexican scholars who focus on Mexican maritime labor and share research. Dr. Donald Willett teaches American History, American Civil War and Reconstruction, Texas History, and History of American Seapower.