Alumni Day Symposium and Reunion Weekend - Herb Wang
As part of the University's Sesquicentennial celebration, the department held an Alumni Reunion Weekend May 7-9, 1999. Our last reunion was September 23, 1994. The main event was an all-day symposium on Friday, May 7.
The first morning talk was by department historian, Emeritus Professor Robert Dott. His account UW Geology Crosses the Atlantic described a journey more propitious and successful than the Titanic's. Research talks followed. Professor Nikolas Christensen, Albert and Alice Weeks Professor, showed how he uses seismic anisotropy as a tool to do structural geology of the mantle. Professor Jill Banfield showed us the exciting new developments in geomicrobiology in which she has played such a prominent part. Assistant Professor Basil Tikoff presented a very big picture view of lithospheric folding during the Laramide Orogeny. And Assistant Professor Brad Singer presented the latest chronology of Pleistocene glaciation in Patagonia from radiogenic and cosmogenic surface exposure.
Research in the department has been exciting from its beginning and as the talks amply demonstrated is continuing unabated into the new century.
The afternoon brought a special session on Global Warming and Sustainable Development. As earth scientists we have a special role in society as being the finders of energy resources and of being the protectors of our environment. The Symposium brought together government, academic, and industry perspectives. Dr. John Wise of the EPA discussed the need for sustainable development, Professor Richard Alley (Ph.D. '87) worried us all with his story based on ice cores from Greenland of abrupt climates changes. Bill Hauschildt of BP Amoco described his company's efforts to implement sustainable business practices. A spirited discussion with the speakers and audience followed, including comments from geologist, Apollo 17 astronaut, and former New Mexico Senator, Jack Schmitt, who is an adjunct professor at UW-Madison.
Special thanks are due to Alumni Board members Dr. James Robertson and Carl Fricke for organizing this highly successful and public symposium. The audience in the morning was around 50 and it swelled to 150 for the afternoon symposium.The symposium was video taped and is available for either loan or purchase. Contact Karen Mullins in the department office (geodept@geology.wisc.edu) if you are interested.
The evening banquet was a delightful coming together of alumni, faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students. The program combined the flavor of a reunion with the annual Spring Banquet awards.A new award for Distinguished Alumni was presented to Dr. Ken Ciriacks, chair of the Alumni Board, Dr. Ray Thomasson, and Dr. Kathryn Fowler-Billings. Field camps of yesteryear were remarkably similar to those of the present and alum Burt Amundson spoke about his experiences while an undergrad and grad student in the late 40s. The number of scholarship awards was noticeable to all, so thank you to our donors for encouraging our best students toward a career in geology and geophysics.
