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Department News and Events The GeoClub presents a talk by Annell R. Bay titled “A Day in the Life of a Geologist – the Oil and Gas Industry” on Friday, November 20 at 3:00 p.m. in MMS 257. The talk is preceded by refreshments at 2:40 p.m. Ms. Bay is Senior Vice President, Exploration, for Marathon Oil Corporation and she holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Trinity University (‘77) and a master's degree in geology from the University of Texas. Following Ms. Bay’s presentation, students will have the opportunity to talk with her and ask questions about careers as geologists in the oil and gas industry. more>> Congratulations Allison Teletzke! Allison won a $50 bookstore scholarship for the photography contest illustrating the theme “How Climate Shapes My World.” The contest was sponsored by the GeoClub is in celebration of Earth Science Week 2009, October 12 - 16.
The GeoClub hosted several events in celebration of Earth Science Week 2009, October 12 - 16.
Trinity celebrated the International Year of Astronomy and Les Bleamaster presented the first lecture titled “Mars’ Watery History: Mythology, Morphology, and Mineralogy” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, in the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. Dr. Bleamaster discussed some popular and scientific conceptions and misconceptions of the Red Planet and presented some evidence from modern spacecraft data that are helping to reveal the history of water on Mars. Kathy Surpless was awarded an Early CAREER Grant from the National Science Foundation for support of her project titled “Testing Models of Cretaceous Cordilleran Paleogeography: An Integrated Provenance Study of Four Basins.” This five-year grant in the amount of $402,985 will involve students in her research. Dr. Surpless is featured in a Trinity article “She Rocks!” by Susie Gonzalez.
Trinity offers financial aid to academically talented students who demonstrate financial need and major in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geosciences, mathematics or physics through the Financial Aid for Science and Technology (FAST) Student Grant. This scholarship is for $4,600 per year and is renewable for up to four years. The feature article "DR. EDWARD C. ROY, JR. A Memorial Tribute to an Outstanding Educator" by Bonnie R. Weise was published in the May 2009 issue of the Bulletin of the South Texas Geological Society. It is posted on this website with permission of the South Texas Geological Society. Congratulations graduating seniors Jason Frels, Evan Kochelek, Adrienne Love and Mikaela Lewis! Commencement was held on Saturday, May 16. The South Texas Geological Society recognized students Adrienne Love and David Clay at their May meeting. Adrienne received the South Texas Geological Society Harold D. Herndon Geological Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a senior geosciences major for academic achievement in the discipline. David received the South Texas Geological Society Chair's Award. This award is given to a junior or senior geosciences major for potential, special merit, or accomplishment in the department. A tribute was paid to Dr. Ed Roy who was an extaordinary educator at Trinity and in the San Antonio community. Dr. Scott Tinker, Trinity alumnus and AAPG President, gave a talk on "Global Energy—Build Bridges, Not Walls." The dinner meeting was held at The Petroleum Club on Friday, May 15. Evan Kochelek and Tiffany Henderson presented their posters at the 2009 GSA Cordilleran meeting held May 7-9 in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Evan's presentation was on "Sedimentary Provenance Analysis of the Ochoco Basin near Mitchell, OR: Implications for Cretaceous Cordilleran Paleogeography" and Tiffany's presentation was on "Provenance of the Eocene Payne Cliffs Formation, Southern Oregon." Dr. Kathleen Surpless was cited for distinguished teaching and research. She received the Junior Faculty Distinguished Teachers and Research Award on May 1. more>> Trinity celebrated Earth Day at the Esplanade on April 22. The GeoClub sponsored a booth at the event.
Adrienne Love presented her poster at the 22nd Keck Geology Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium held April 16-19 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Adrienne's presentation was on "Permeability in Archean Abitibi Greenstone Belt hyaloclastites: Implications for early life." Evan Kochelek was the recipient of the Outstanding Senior Student and Tinker Family Geosciences Award for 2009. This award is made primarily on the basis of academic achievement and excellence. Dr. Brazil presented the award to Evan at the Honor Awards Convocation on March 28.
Geosciences students were recognized at the Honors Awards Convocation.
The 48th Annual Fiesta of Gems was held in March 2009. The event is sponsored by the Southwest Gem & Mineral Society of San Antonio. The Society is organized to promote interest in the earth sciences, including the collection of minerals, fossils, and artifacts while cultivating fellowship among interested participants.Trinity was one of three universities present at this year’s show. The Geosciences department hosted a table featuring the “stories” that rocks tell. In addition to large hand samples, our table included microscopes with thin sections of different rock types. It was a great weekend with a big turnout for the event! Proceeds from the Gem and Mineral Show are used for providing scholarships in the earth sciences.
Current members of Delta Xi performed the initiation ceremony for 10 new members on February 9. Delta Xi is the Trinity chapter of Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the national honor society for the earth sciences.
New Faculty - The geosciences faculty welcomes Dr. Leslie F. Bleamaster III who will be joining us as a Visiting Assistant Professor in January 2009. Dr. Bleamaster earned his Bachelor's degree in Geoscience from Trinity University in 1998, and went on to earn his Ph.D. in Geology from Southern Methodist University in 2003. His doctoral research focused on the tectonic and volcanic evolution of a large chasmata (rift) system on Venus. Dr. Bleamaster’s current research continues to examine the geologic history of Venus, in particular extensional regions, and also includes investigations aimed at understanding lithospheric and surface processes (and their interactions) on Mars using a combination of image, topographic, gravity, and spectral data sets acquired by remote instruments on current and past NASA spacecraft. Dr. Bleamaster’s research is funding through NASA’s Planetary Geology and Geophysics and Mars Data Analysis Programs and he was recently named a NASA Early Career Fellow. He is also committed to encouraging greater Science-Technology-Engineering-Math education and experiences for students and teachers from Kindergarten through College. Dr. Bleamaster makes several research and field experience presentations to primary school children each year and is also involved with formal projects to develop Professional Development workshops for Elementary and Middle teachers to improve classroom curriculum with planetary research content. Distinguished Scientists Lecture Series - Spring 2009: On Monday, January 26, Kimberly Gray, research scientist and professor of civil and environmental engineering, Northwestern University, will discuss "The Modern American City: Can We Ever Make It Sustainable?" at 7:30 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium. |
