Alumni Board Report - Jay C. Nania, Chair - naniajc@bp.com
The Alumni Board of the Geology and Geophysics department held two meetings during 1999. In May, the Alumni Board together with the department sponsored an Alumni Reunion and Symposium which was held in conjunction with the UW's Sesquicentennial Celebration. The event was a great success, showcasing the latest in department research as well as the historical impact our institution has made in the geoscience world. Our "Global Warming and Sustainable Development" panel discussion drew participation from Penn State Professor of paleoclimatology Richard Alley, deputy director of the EPA John Wise, BP Amoco technology spokesman Bill Hauschildt, and former astronaut and US senator Harrison Schmitt. During the three days of events, our board also sponsored its first Faculty Achievement Award, and Academic Staff Achievement Award, as well as our first graduate and undergraduate Student Awards. We recognized Dr. Jill Banfield for her pioneering research in geomicrobiology, Brian Beard for his new applications of iron isotope ratios, and students Madeline E. Schreiber and Julie O'Leary for their academic contributions to the department. In addition, the first department Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented. Ken Ciriacks, Ray Thomasson, and Katherine Fowler-Billings were all acknowledged for the impact their achievements have made on the department and the world.
On September 24, 1999 the Alumni Board held its annual business meeting in Madison. Some members arrived early for a Thursday night reception in recognition of Jill Banfield, who recently received a MacArthur "genius" grant. Dean Phillip Certain of the College of Letters and Science and Associate Dean Terry Millar of the Graduate School both addressed the group, as did Professor Banfield.
The business meeting commenced at 8:20 AM the following day, with board members Jay Nania (Chair), Ken Ciriacks, Dave Divine, Mark Emerson, Carl Fricke, Pat Lehmann, Marjory Rinaldo-Lee, and Jamie Robertson, and faculty members Mary Anderson, Nik Christensen, John Valley, Herb Wang, and Klaus Westphal. Following introductory remarks by board chair Jay Nania, Mary Anderson and John Valley reviewed the state of the department and Dean Phil Certain reported on the state of the college. Dean Certain also discussed the ongoing faculty searches, the budget process, and the new, competitive proposal process that results in cluster hires in certain target areas.
Ken Ciriacks reported on the Development Campaign and the board's success in increasing the alumni's commitment to the department through graduate fellowships, outstanding student, staff, and faculty awards, support for students' field expenses, increased support for the department and increased contact between the department and the alumni.
The Board has agreed to focus on three main initiatives, designated the "3 M's", over the next two years.
• Mentoring: The board is in the process of creating a pool of alumni that will form a sustainable core of mentor volunteers willing to serve as advisors to the department's student population. Their first solicitation was very successful, with regard to both student and alumni interest. Board member Jamie Robertson is coordinating this effort. If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Jamie at jdr@alumni.princeton,edu.
• Minorities, more appropriately "diversity:" The Board is exploring ways to diversify the population in the UW geoscience programs. This issue has received significant attention at both the college and university levels and a proactive effort by our Board membership is fully supported by the Dean of the College of Letters and Science. In the fall of 1999, the Board met with the authors of the "UW Diversity Plan," and will be meeting with representatives of the National Association of Black Geologists and Geophysicists during our next board meeting set for April 16, 2000 in New Orleans. We hope to develop an action plan at our meeting in the fall of 2000.
• Money: The capital campaign initiated in 1999 has been very successfult. Our goal is to continuue our fundraising efforts this year to support a proposed major building addition to Weeks Hall, with an expected ground breaking in 2003. Ken Ciriacks is taking the lead on our development effort. We are all very excited about being part of this significant department milestone!
In addition to these activities, the Board continues to promote the Weeks Hall Courtyard Brick Program. The first installation, comprised of approximately 70 named bricks, was completed in the Department courtyard in the spring of 1999. Alumni can show support for their alma mater by donating $200 to have a brick in the courtyard inscribed either with their own name or with the name of a former professor or fellow alumnus that they wish to honor.Our alumni site has a form for brick orders.
Finally, together with the department, the Board is planning an Alumni Reception to coincide with the 2000 AAPG Annual Conference in New Orleans on April 17. This will be a great opportunity to renew old ties and get to know some of the students who represent the next generation of UW geoscientists. The reception will be held in the Rosedown Room at the Hilton Riverside Hotel from 5:30-7:30 PM on April 17, 2000. Your Alumni Board hopes to see you there!
As always, feel free to contact your Alumni Board at anytime and let us know how we can help you to play a continuing role in the advance of geology and geophysics study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
