Graduates & scholarships

WSU Geoscience Graduates & Departmental Scholarship Awards

Departmental Awards to Graduating Seniors:

Diane Suchomel Award - The Diane Suchomel Award is awarded to a graduating senior who has shown excellence in academic work and service to the Department. This award was donated to the department by WSU Geology Alumna Diane Suchomel (class of 1973). The Suchomel award winner receives her/his choice of a Brunton compass or a GPS unit.
Steve Tuftin Award - The Steve Tuftin Award is awarded to a graduating senior demonstrating an aptitiude for field geology and service to the department. Steve Tuftin graduated from the WSU Geology program in 1972. While working for the U.S. Bureau of Mines mapping in the Deep Creek range in western Utah, Steve was killed by a lightening strike in September 1992. The Tuftin award was created by Steve's parents in his memory. The Tuftin award winner receives her/his choice of a rock hammer or a GPS unit.
Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award - This award was created by the department in 2002 to recognize a graduating earth science teacher who shows great potential as a 5-12 earth science teacher. The beginning teacher is awarded a one-year membership in the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) as a means of supporting his or her continued professional development.
Departmental Service Award - This award was created by the Geoscience faculty in 2006 to recognize a graduating senior who provided outstanding service to the department, outside of the context of any paid assignments (student help, work-study, or teaching assistants); the winner recieves a copy of the AGI Geological Dictionary.

Departmental Scholarships:

Geology Alumni Scholarship(s) are awarded to entering or continuing geoscience students who demonstrate academic excellence. Scholarships are awarded in the Spring for students continuing in the following fall semester. Funding for Alumni Scholarships is supported by the generosity of our departmental alumni. We offer special thanks to all of our alumni who have supported this scholarship fund over the years.
Geology Alumni Field Camp Scholarship(s) are awarded to continuing geoscience students who are accepted to a summer field camp program. Funding for this scholarship is supported by the generosity of our departmental alumni.
Coulee Rock Club Award(s) - The Coulee Rock Club of La Crosse, Wisconsin, provides scholarships for students majoring in geology with interests in graduate education in geology and/or paleontology. We are especially grateful to members of the Coulee Rock Club for their long-standing and continued support of WSU Geoscience Students.

2006-2007 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2007 Graduates:

Joe Becker (B.S. Env. Sci): In addition to his geoscience degree, Joe completed a minor in physics. Joe will be starting in the M.S. program at Illinois State University in fall 2007.
Kellie Elliott (B.S. Env Sci): Kellie is moving to Colorado after graduation. Keep us posted on the geology.
Arron Jergenson (B.S. Env. Sci.): Arron accepted a job the mining industry in Superior, Arizona; he'll start with a six-month intensive core-logging position.
Sam Plitzuweit (B.S. Geology): Sam graduated Cum Laude, and will be starting in the M.S. program at Ohio University in fall 2007.
Doug Portis (B.S. Geology): Doug graduated Magna Cum Laude, and will be starting in the M.S. program at Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) in fall 2007.
Tracy Roach (B.A. Geoscience): Tracy completed a double major in Geoscience and Adventure Tourism and has taken a job in the mining industry in northern Alaska.
Alex Smith (B.S. Env. Sci.):
Karsten Springstead (B.S. Geology): Karsten, the third geologist in his family, will be working with the Kramer Company (Wisconsin), starting in June.

December 2006 Graduates:

Tim Donahue (B.A. Geoscience): Tim double majored in Geoscience & Political Science and is working for State Senator Sharon Ropes.
Rachel Ebbers (ESCT): After completing her student teaching in New Zealand, Rachel worked as the C-Squad Girls' Basketball Coach at BOLD High School in Olivia, MN. Rachel will be teaching high school earth science and physical science in Medford, MN in August 2007.
Nichole Martin (B.A. Geoscience): Nichole double majored in Geoscience & Chemistry teaching and is planning to teach in the St. Cloud area. Nichole is currently busy planning for her July 2007 wedding to Denny.
Nicole Pozanc (B.S. Geology):
Paul Raymaker (B.S. Geology):
Amanda Shields (B.S. Env Sci):
Samuel Siebenaler (B.S. Geology): Sam will be starting in the M.S. program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in January 2007.
Taletha Skar (B.S. Geology): Tally will be working in Rochester, MN for the Rochester Department of Public Works. She will be responsible for GIS data development, manipulation, and analysis along with some field work using a GPS to collect location information of various infrastructure utilities.

Departmental Scholarship Awardees 2007 (to be awarded in May 2007) :

2007 Diane Suchomel Award: Douglas Portis

2007 Steve Tuftin Award: Sam Plitzuweit

2007 Earth Science Teacher Award: Rachel Ebbers & Nichole Martin

2007-2008 Geology Alumni Scholarship Awardees: Shelby Frost (Field and Alumni Scholarships), Brian Lentz (Field Scholarship), and Valerie Johnson
2006-2007 Geology Alumni Scholarship Awardees: Joe Becker (Field Scholarship)

2007-2008 Coulee Rock Club Scholarship Awardee: Nicole Schoolmeesters
2006-2007 Coulee Rock Club Scholarship Awardee: Sam Plitzuweit

2005-2006 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2006 Graduates:

Jay Bittner (B.S. Geology): Jay accepted a position working at Cytec Engineered Materials and is living in Fountain City, WI. We're looking forward to seeing Jay around the community and back on campus. Congratulations Jay!
Lisa Clifford (ESCT): Lisa will be teaching at Bluffview Montessori in Winona starting in the fall 2006. Congratulations Lisa! We're thrilled that you'll be staying around Winona and helping to connect the next generation with Earth Science.
Amber Gaster Teff (Geology Minor): Amber moved to Vermont after graduation and will be working with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program as an outreach coordinator for the refugee/new immigrant population at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. In July 2006, Amber married Nick Teff. Congratulations Amber and Nick!
Casey Fisher (ESCT):
Ross Hoffmann (B.A. Geoscience): Ross accepted a job as a GIS data analyst in the WSU Water Resources Center. He'll be working with Bea Hoffmann (no relation!) and Dr. Dogwiler on a project studying the Decorah Edge and local pollution prevention. He'll also be teaching GEOS 120 labs in the fall 2006 semester for the WSU Geoscience Department. We're pleased to have Ross around in this new capacity.
John Huggenvik (B.S. Geology):
Jenny Koester (B.S. Geology): Jenny will be starting graduate school at the University of Minnesota, Duluth in Fall 2006.
Mike Kraszewski (Env. Sci): Mike will be working in Rochester (MN) for the Department of Public Works dealing with a variety of stormwater, grading, drainage, and geologic issues (including the Decorah Edge). Mike tells us that his position will have him dealing with a variety of engineering issues, erosion, and sediment control on construction sites, as well as with an education component for contractors. He plans to take some GIS classes at St. Mary's as well, and anticipates that a masters program is in his future. Congratulations Mike!
Mark Passow (ESCT): Mark will be teaching 8th grade Earth Science in Pine Island, MN (just north of Rochester) beginning in the Fall of 2006. We're looking forward to having Mark in the area and hope to see him and his students back on campus often.
Joe Staloch (B.S. Geology):
Caleb Stroup (Env. Sci): Caleb will be starting graduate school at Idaho State University in Fall 2006.
Aaron Thielen (B.A. Geoscience): Aaron married Elizabeth Elcombe shortly after graduation (summer 2006); the wedding was in Two Harbors, MN. Aaron was accepted into the GIS Resource Analysis graduate program at St. Mary's University in Winona, and will be starting in the fall 2006. Elizabeth is working at the Book Shelf. Congratulations Aaron and Elizabeth! We're glad you'll be sticking around the neighborhood and hope to see you both often. Check out the wedding picture taken at Amnicon State Park.
Denise Weinkauf (Env. Sci.): Denise will be starting graduate work in Environmental Science at Purdue University in Fall 2006. She'll be working on a project developed to have citizens collect samples for E. Coli analysis from Indiana rivers.
John Woodside (Env. Sci.): John will be starting graduate work in hydrogeology at Illinois State University in Fall 2006.

December 2005 Graduates:

Brian Black (B.A. GEOS): Brian completed his research on the Duluth Complex and will be starting graduate work at the University of Minnesota, Duluth in the fall.
Dan Chies (Geology Minor): Dan completed a major in Mass Communications with his Geology minor. He'll be starting as a sports announcer in Duluth in May.
Christy Groener (ESCT): Christy is working as a substitute teacher in the Twin Cities until next fall when she'll have a permanent position.

Departmental Scholarship Awardees 2006 :

2006 Diane Suchomel Award: Denise Weinkauf

2006 Steve Tuftin Award: Jenny Koester & Caleb Stroup

2006 Earth Science Teacher Award: Lisa Clifford & Mark Passow

2006 Geoscience Department Service Award: Ross Hoffmann

2005-2006 Geology Alumni Scholarship Awardees:

Ross Hoffmann: Ross is a senior combining interest in Geoscience with Art and GIS. He's interested in pursuing graduate work that will enable him to work creatively with GIS to represent earth systems
Jennifer Koester: Jennie is a senior and president of the Geology Club. She's interested in pursuing graduate work in structural geology, possibly at the University of New Hampshire.
Mark Passow: Mark is a senior, majoring in Earth Science Teaching. He'll be student teaching this spring, and is looking forward to getting a classroom of his own in the near future.
Douglas Portis: Doug is a senior with broad geologic interests. He's planning on graduate work next fall, and wants to return to the classroom as a professor one day.
Caleb Stroup: Caleb is a senior also planning on graduate work next fall. His interests lie in the intersection of environmental issues and sedimentology. Caleb is most interested in geologic research and has worked in California, Idaho, and Minnesota.
John Woodside: John is a senior carefully considering his post-graduate options. He's looking at graduate work, as well as options such as the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps. His interests lie in environmental sustainability.

2005-2006 Jannik Family Scholarship:

Denise Weinkauf: Denise is a senior currently looking into graduate programs. Her interests lie in oceanography, coastal geology, and paleoclimate reconstruction.

2005-2006 Coulee Rock Club Scholarship:

Samuel Plitzuweit: Sam is a junior who is the departmental "go-to" student. He's always willing to help out, which is one of the criteria for this award.

2005-2006 Scholarships Awarded by the University:

Amber Gaster, an English major and Geoscience minor, was awarded a Presidential Honor Scholarship.
Ellie Marshman, an Earth Science Teaching major and Spanish minor, was awarded the Erika K. Scholarship.
Nichole Martin, a double major in Geoscience and Chemistry Teaching, earned a Presidential Honor Scholarship and the Walter Wadewitz scholarship for secondary science teaching majors.
Nicole Pozanc, a Geoscience major, was awarded a Presidential Honor Scholarship.
Danielle Quist, a Biology major and Geoscience minor, was awarded a Presidential Honor Scholarship and the Thomas Wayne Schultz Memorial scholarship.
Amanda Shields, a Geoscience major, was awarded the Peerless Chain Scholarship.
Denise Weinkauf, a Geoscience major, was awarded a WSU Faculty/Support Staff Scholarship in addition to the Jannik Family Scholarship (above).

Congratulations to all our scholarship winners!

2004-2005 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2005 Graduates:

Jenn Baechle (Geology Minor):
Jessica Jaskola (Geology): Jessica is taking a well-deserved break after completing her degree, she's continuing her research with Dr. Allard informally, and is spending some quality time with family.
Michelle Trainer (Geology): Michelle moved back to the cities and is looking for work using her geology background.
Eric Sonnentag (Geology Minor): Eric got a job after graduation working in ecology. Let us know where you wound up Eric!

December 2004 Graduates:

Glenn Culbertson (ESCT): After completing his student teaching in La Cresent, Glenn is applying for teaching and corrections jobs in Wisconsin and spending time with his sons.
Jeff Marn (ESCT): After completing his student teaching in Rochester, Jeff is teaching near St. Cloud, Minnesota. In Jeff's senior research project, he studied the development of columnar jointing in rocks along Minnesota's north shore and modeled their development in corn-starch analogs.
Becky (Sokup) Rasmussen (Geology): Becky is taking some time after graduation to devote her attentions to a new endeavor - Carson (born December 5, 2004). Congratulations to our newest mom!
Nels Rasmussen (Geology): Nels is currently enrolled in the Masters Program in Resource Analysis at St. Marys University in Winona. He's also dividing his time as a new father to Carson (born December 5, 2004). Congratulations to the new family!

Departmental Scholarship Awardees

2005 Diane Suchomel Award: Jessica Jaskola

2005 Steve Tuftin Award: not awarded

2005 Earth Science Teacher Award: not awarded

2004-2005 Geology Alumni Scholarship Awardees:

Amber Gaster: Amber is a junior and is completing a double major in Geoscience and English. She plans to work as a science writer after graduating. She's currently helping out designing and writing some of our outreach and display materials for the new science building.
Brian Lentz: Brian is a new entering Geoscience major with strong interests in rocks, minerals, and economic geology. He's already planning to pursue graduate work in geology after graduating.
Douglas Portis: Doug is a non-traditional junior (in many senses of the term!) who is passionate about all things geological. Currently, he's turned on by structure, but that might change after his summer research on caves in Kentucky with Dr. Dogwiler.
Joseph Staloch: Joe is a junior interested in pursuing graduate work in geology after graduation. He's most interested in the hard-rock side of the discipline, and is looking ahead to a research project with Dr. Allard.
Caleb Stroup: Caleb is a junior interested in pursuing graduate work in geology after graduation. Caleb spent the summer in the White-Inyo Mountains in California, working with WSU Geoscience alum (2000) Nate Lorentz on the Neoproterozoic Reed Dolomite. Caleb is high on all things sedimentologic these days.
Denise Weinkauf: Denise is a senior interested in pursuing graduate work in geology after graduation. She's currently most interested in coastal geology and is looking forward to making some waves in the new flume laboratory.

2003-2004 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2004 Graduates:

David Blaskowski (ESCT) - David is working as a substitute teacher in Wisconsin, while searching for a full-time position that will allow him to coach football in addition to teaching.
Alan Bunker (Geology Minor) - Alan majored in Math, with a Geology minor. After a trip to London, Alan is pursuing graduate work in Architecture at the University of Denver, Colorado.
Ethan Jenzen (Geology) - Ethan is starting graduate work in Hydrogeology at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Brian Northam (Geology): Brian will be getting married shortly after graduation and moving to Pittsburgh with his wife. He plans to take a few classes while working for a year and then hopes to start graduate work at the Univ. of Pittsburg. Congratulations Brian!
Elissa Otterness (Hydro) - Elissa actually finished her geology degree several years ago, but stuck around WSU to complete a double major in music. She survived her senior recital, and is now confident she can survive anything. Elissa won't be moving to earthquake country anytime soon, but she's ready to take on the world.

December 2003 Graduates:

Joe Bergstrom (WRM) - Joe distinguished himself as our top GPA graduate this fall. He's reconsidered his thoughts about entering the Navy, and has taken a job with the Andersen Corporation in Bayport, MN. Joe's parents attended the Academic Excellence Awards ceremony with Joe and told us about his hobby making guitars and refurbishing airplanes. Who'd have ever guessed?!
Dan Brizzolara (WRM) - Dan is taking some time off after graduation, looking for a job - hopefully in Alaska - before thinking about returning to complete graduate work in Geology.
Shawn Wallace (WRM) - Shawn majored in Geoscience with a minor in History.

Departmental Scholarship Awardees

2003-2004 Geology Alumni Scholarship Awardees:

Joe Bergstrom - Joe is in the Water Resource Management option. He expects to graduate in December (2003) and plans to enter the Navy.
Glenn Culbertson - Glenn has a BS in Meteorology from St. Cloud and has returned to WSU to earn a degree in Earth Science teaching. He wants to teach high school when he finishes this program. Glenn was also chosen as one of the Walter Wadewitz scholorship winners - this scholarship supports students in secondary science or math teaching. Congratulations Glenn!
Ethan Jenzen - Ethan is majoring in the Geoscience option, concentrating on Hydrology, and minoring in Chemistry and Biology. Ethan is planning on attending graduate school after graduation (anticipated in May 2004).
Jenny Koester - Jennie is a sophomore, majoring in the Geoscience option. She's looking forward to learning more about geology while at WSU and is already planning to pursue a masters degree upon graduation.
Caleb Stroup - Caleb is also a sophomore, majoring in the Environmental (Geo)Science option. Caleb is also planning on graduate school after WSU, but hopes to spend a good deal of time on field trips while at WSU.

2003-2004 Coulee Rock Club Scholarship Awardees:

Nels Rasmussen - Nels is a senior this year, majoring in the Geoscience option. He plans to attend graduate school to pursue his interests in igneous and metamorphic petrology.
Becky Sokup - Becky is a junior this year, majoring in the Geoscience option. She was the Geology Club president last year. She hopes to pursue graduate work in foresic dentistry and work with the FBI after graduation.

2002-2003 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2003 Graduates:

Carrie Boyer (EnvSci) - Carrie did a senior research project on the chemistry of waters sampled from Mystery Cave. She continued work started by December 2002 graduate Jeff Brandon, and studied fecal coliform and nitrate levels at several sites within the cave. Since graduation, Carrie was hired in July (2003) as a Watershed Coordinator for Grannis Creek in NE Iowa. She tells us "I work out of the Fayette County NRCS office and am in charge coordinating a federally funded water quality project. I am really enjoying it, the prefect combination of the environment and agriculture for me. Wedding plans have been going well, its hard to believe that I will be married in almost 6 months!!" Congratulations Carrie!
Jake Mueller (WRM) - In May 2006, Jake accepted a new position for the Minnesota Pollution Agency. He will be inspecting underground tanks at gas stations, municipalities, counties, and elsewhere, in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. He was back on campus for Joseph Cynor's graduation from the MS Education program in early May 2006.
Charlene Taylor (ESCI) - Char's senior research project focused on developing middle-school curriculum on the origin of karst features. She used the lessons she developed during her student teaching experience at Plainview High School. WSU Geology graduate Denine Voegli was Char's supervising classroom teacher.
Tim Weisbrod (EnvSci) - Tim will be starting a Masters program in Hydrogeology at the Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City in fall 2003. After completing a summer internship with the SE MN Water Resources Board, Tim did a senior research project using GIS to characterize the hydrologic setting of Mystery Cave. Tim got married after graduation and he and Angie have moved down to Iowa City to start the rest of their adventures together. Best of luck Tim!

December 2002 Graduates:

Jeff Brandon (EnvSci) - After completing a senior research project that studied the chemistry of waters in Mystery Cave, Jeff took a semester off. Jeff landed a job with the MN DNR as a seasonal naturalist at Mystery Cave. He's gotten over his fear of public speaking and is giving tours and talks to groups ranging in size from a few people to over a hundred people. He recently (fall semester 2003) gave a tour to our GEOS 201 (Earth: The Water Planet) class. Jeff is hoping to retun to Mystery Cave next season.`
Jason Wetzel (EnvSci) - Jason is heading for South America, where he'll begin work in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. Jason's senior project looked at nitrate levels in Garvin Brook - he was particularly concerned about contamination from farms located on the bluffs draining into Garvin Brook.
Meghan Robinson (Geology Minor) - Meghan graduated with a degree in Mass Communication.

Departmental Scholarship Awardees

2003 Diane Suchomel Award: Tim Weisbrod

2003 Steve Tuftin Award: Jeff Brandon

2002-2003 Geology Alumni Scholarship:

Tim Weisbrod - Tim is an Environmental Geoscience major who plans to graduate in May 2003. Tim hopes to start a MS program in hydrogeology next fall. Tim worked during Summer 2002 as an intern in the SE MN Water Resources Board on an EPA-funded project locating shallow-disposal wells in Winona County.

2001-2002 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2002 Graduates:

Joseph Cynor (ESCT) - Joseph is teaching 8th-grade Earth Science at the Winona Middle School (since Fall 2004). He returned to Winona after 2 years in Alaska, where he worked with native Alaskans in a setting that required fly-in access. His senior research project fit right into his current position - he developed a "discovery" science curriculum based on outdoor learning. Joseph completed his M.S. in Education (WSU Learning Community M.S. Program) in May 2006. Congratulations Joe!
Dave Hawkins (WRM) - Dave got married the week after graduation, and is now working as an assistant department head at Galyan's in Minnetonka, while waiting for the perfect environmental job to come his way. Dave did a senior project that focused on initial site characterization of our environmental science field station at Featherstone Farms in the Wiscoy valley.
Dana Hensley (Geology) - Dana just started the Master's program in geology at the University of New Orleans. She will be studying the bone structure in the necks of hadrosaurs (and no doubt, enjoying all that New Orleans has to offer!).
Lisa Luckey (Geology minor) - Lisa majored in Mass Communication, with an emphasis in photography and journalism
Jed Rockweiler (WRM) - After graduation, Jed moved to La Crosse, WI. and worked as a field hydrologist at METCO, with class of 1994 graduate Jeremy Reynolds. Starting in May 2004, Jed and his soon-to-be wife, Calley, will move to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where Jed just accepted a position with the Wyoming State Engineers Office (Groundwater Division). Congratulations and best of luck!
Emily Ware (Hydrogeology) - Emily moved back to the Milwaukee area and is looking for work in the environmental field there.
December 2001 Graduates:
Julie Polzin Gasper (Hydrogeology) - Julie has had a busy time since graduation - she's recently married and relocated to Kirkland, WA, where she is working as a Hydrogeologist. Julie wrote recently to tell us that she an Justin are planning to return to SE MN.
Tanya Lehner (Hydrogeology) - Tanya completed her Masters degress in Hydrogeology at UT, El Paso in June 2004. She worked on a project related to zeolite mineralization and hydrogeology, and dabbling in astrobiology on the side. She's now employed in Houston, TX as a consultant with Environmental Resources Management-Southwest. Tanya is getting married in October 2006 to Drew Hisey, and Val Raverty will be her Matron of Honor! Check out her website. Congratulations Tanya!

Departmental Scholarship Awardees

Diane Suchomel Award:
Julie Polzin Gasper - Julie recently got married, moved to the Seattle area, and will be applying to graduate school at Western Washington University, where she hopes to pursue her interests in environmental geology.
Steve Tuftin Award:
Tanya Lehner - Tanya is doing graduate work at the University of Texas, El Paso, where she will pursue a Masters Degree in Hydrogeology.

Earth Science Teacher Award: new this year, this award recognizes outstanding beginning teachers of earth science at the K-12 levels.

Joseph Cynor - Joe will begin his teaching career in Bethel, Alaska, where he will have fly-in only access to his school, and will be responsible for teaching science to a primarily Native American population.

Geology Alumni Scholarship:

Jessica Stettler - Jessica is a non-traditional student pursuing a Geology degree with a Biology minor. Jessica hopes to attend graduate school following graduation.

Coulee Rock Club Scholarship:

Jessica Stettler
Ethan Jenzen - Ethan is majoring in Geology and minoring in Chemistry and Biology. Ethan also pitches for the WSU Baseball team.

2000-2001 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2001 Graduates:

Dave Berg (Geology) - Dave is working in Colorado as a courier, giving him many reasons to drive his new red jeep TJ around the countryside.
Jim Christopherson (Hydro)
Jennie Domeier (Geology) - now working in La Crosse
Paul Ebert (WRM) - now working in La Crosse
Ryan Eichman (ESCI) - Ryan moved from Wisconsin and is now teaching combined 8th-grade science (biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science) in Eagan, MN. Angie Harris recently visited (Dec 2003) and tells us that Ryan is a new daddy! Congratulations Ryan! Fill us in on the details when you catch up on your sleep.
Steve Erickson (ESCI) - Steve is teaching Science at Kingsland Middle School in Wykoff, MN
Jeremy Hansen (Hydro) - Jeremy has been working as an Environmental Profession with Peer Engineering in the Twin Cities for the last three years. He's doing lots of field work, including soil cleanup and sampling, monitoring and testing monitoring wells, storm water and waste water testing, and Phase I and Phase II investigations. He tells us that he really enjoys his job, still loves Winona, and comes through town often as he and his wife head to Chicago. Stop by and visit on your next trip through town!
Angie Harris (ESCI) - Angie recently left her position at St. Mary's school in Winona, MN. After teaching Intro Geology labs at WSU during the Spring 2003 semeser, she will now be teaching 10th grade religion and doing Campus Ministry at a Pacelli High School in Stevens Point, WI. Best of luck Angie!
George Huppert (WRM) - Dept. of Geography at UW-LaCrosse; deceased
Mike McKenna (Geology) - now pursuing a MS degree in geology (sedimentology, basin analysis, sequence stratigraphy) at New Mexico State University
Jim Pomplum (Hydro) - After finishing his Geology degree, Jim returned to WSU to complete a biology degree. He just visited (June 2003) and let us know that he's now working for the County Planning Offices in South Bend, Indiana, doing GIS analysis. Jim is considering applying to graduate school in the near future. He and Denise B. are still together (she's finishing up a MS in Biology at Notre Dame).
John Rud (ESCI) - John is teaching 8th-grade science at Kellogg Middle School in Rochester, MN
Valerie Sheedy (Geology) - Val just completed her MS degree at Idaho State University. Congratulations Val!!! Val and Kyle Raverty recently visited WSU for a tour of the new science building and a chance to talk with current students. Val graciously took the time to give a seminar about her MS work in which she tried to determine whether the Big Lost Riverwas captured from the Salmon River as Basin and Range faults migrate north from the Snake River Plain. She used a combination of sedimentary petrology, aerial photo mapping and ground-truthing, geochronology and geomorphology to complete this project. Thanks to Val for taking the time to share her research with us.
Joe Streeter (WRM)

December 2000 graduates:

Jared Lubben (Geology) - now pursuing a MS degree in economic geology at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Jared visited WSU in May 2003. He let us know then that he was on track to finish up the MS in Oct 2003, after being sidelined for some time after a severe softball injury. He's started back to school again in May, and is making plans for the future. Jared is deciding whether to continue on for a Ph.D. or whether to get some work experience after finishing the MS.
Departmental Scholarship Awardees
Diane Suchomel Award:
Paul Ebert - Paul has moved to La Crosse, where he is working in the environmental consulting business.
Steve Tuftin Award:
Jared Lubben - Jared is heading to Las Vegas, to pursue graduate work at UNLV in economic geology.

Geology Alumni Scholarship:

Joe Cynor - Joe is an Earth Science Teaching Major, who loves working with kids and who hopes to student teach in Alaska
Tim Weisbrod - Tim is an Environmental Geoscience Major, who has been working part-time with the USGS in La Crosse, WI

1999-2000 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 2000 graduates:

Scott Baker (Hydro)
Corey Betchwars (WRM)
Autumn Ganglehoff (WRM) - Autumn is working in Owatonna, and is looking into developing her expertise in GIS.
Nate Lorentz (Geology) - After teaching for a year at WSU, Nate went to complete a MS degree in geology (sedimentology, chemostratigraphy) at the University of Southern California. His field area is in Idaho. He recently applied for and was accepted to the Ph.D. program at USC. He'll be starting the Ph.D. in the fall of 2003. Good luck Nate!
Erin Plath (Hydro)
Matt Rogers (ESCI) - Matt is teaching Freshman and Sophomore Science at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. He tells us that this is his dream job!

December 1999 graduates:

John Ebert (Hydro) - John finished his MS degree in resource analysis and GIS at St. Mary's University, Winona and is now employed there as a Graduate Instructor/GIS Analyst. Congratulations John!
Sheila Harmes (Hydro) - Sheila is working with the SE MN Water Resources Board as an Environmental Educator. We enjoy the opportunity to see her every now and then when she's around to talk with Bea Hoffmann.
Diane Suchomel Award:
Nate Lorentz - Nate will be teaching Geology labs at WSU during the 2000-2001 academic year.
Steve Tuftin Award:

Erin Plath - Erin is moving to the Twin Cities in search of employment in the environmental field.
Coulee Rock Club Scholarship:
Tanya Lehner - Tanya is majoring in the Hydrogeology option.
Mike McKenna - Mike is majoring in the Geology option.

1998-1999 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 1999 graduates:

Anna Johnson Blitz (Hydro) - now at Delta Environmental, Minneapolis, MN, Anna will be starting a MS degree in public policy at the Humphrey Institute, Univ. of MN in fall, 2002. Anna was back to WSU spring 2002 to help the department facilitate our Assessment Day activities. Thanks again Anna!
Marc McGowan (Hydro) - Marc is working as a hydrogeologist for a consulting company (www.elmontgomery.net/) based in Tucson, Arizona. Marc tells us “I graduated from the Geology Department at the University of Hawaii in December 2004 with a Masters degree in coastal hydrology. My thesis work focused on quantifying the volume and chemical composition of submarine groundwater discharge into a bay on the island of Oahu and the overall interaction of fresh and salty groundwater. I then moved to Arizona (what a change from Hawaii!) where I landed a job with a great consulting company. I currently work on a variety of hydrogeological projects across the state. I am most often the on-site geologist during the drilling and construction of deep wells which involves describing drill cuttings as they come up as well collecting and analyzing water samples. Once the wells are completed I conduct pumping tests to estimate aquifer parameters (transmissivity, storativity, etc.) and collect water samples for chemical analysis. I am planning on living in Arizona for 1 more year and then I hope to work for 4-5 months next summer in Alaska." Here's a recent photo of Marc at the Grand Canyon.
Chris Pellowski (Geology) - Chris completed a Masters degree in geology at Fort Hays State University Kansas, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. at South Dakota School of Mines, where he will be studying the Navachab gold deposit located in the Damaran Terrane of Namibia, Africa. Chris anticipates completing his doctoral program in December 2007.
Andrew Peters (Hydro) - Andrew is an Environmental Specialist at McGhie & Betts, Rochester, MN.
Jill Ralston (Hydro) - M.S. University of Nevada, Reno (Hydrogeology)
Kyle Raverty (Hydro)
Dave Schultz (Geology) - Dave is working on a M.S. at the University of Iowa in Paleontology, where he's studying trilobites

December 1998 graduates:

Eric Arnold (ESCI)
Nicole Cooksey (ESCI) - Nicole is an 8th grade math teacher at Onalaska Middle School in Wisconsin
Chad Wittkop (Geology) - Chad successfully defended his Ph.D. in Limnology and Climate Studies at the University of Minnesota in September 2004. He's now applying for undergraduate teaching positions. Congratulations Dr. Wittkop!

Departmental Scholarship Awardees

Diane Suchomel Award:
Jill Ralston - Jill is moving to Reno, NV to pursue a MS in hydrogeology at the University of Nevada, Reno
Chad Wittkop - Chad is moving to the Twin Cities to pursue a Ph.D. in limnology at the University of Minnesota

Steve Tuftin Award:

Chad Wittkop

Geology Alumni Scholarship:

Scott Baker
Shana Chapel
James Christopherson
Paul Ebert
Scott Geary
Anna Johnson
Jaclyn Kinsey
Nate Lorentz
Chad Wittkop

Coulee Rock Club Scholarship:

Marc McGowan
Chris Pellowski
Distinguished Service Award (University Award) - to graduates who have demonstrated distinguished service to the department and the university
Chad Wittkop - nominated by both Geoscience and Chemistry

1997-1998 Geoscience Graduates & Scholarship Recipients

May 1998 graduates:

Benjamin (Bo) Wilke (Hydro) - previously at Envirogen, Onalaska, WI, Bo is now completing requirements for secondary teaching at Bemidji State
Melissa Grasso (Hydro) - The last time I saw Mel, she was planning to move to the Seattle area. Let us know what you're up to Mel!
Nicole (Florin) Stoen (Hydro) - Nicole has a beautiful, almost 18-month-old daughter, Julia, who loves rocks - go figure!
Sarah Cardoman Richter (Geology) - Sarah married Jay Richter (WSU '96) after graduation, and is working at a bank in the Twin Cities and is a consultant with Creative Memories
Heather Hauser (ESCI) - Heather just accepted a new job with the National Weather Service at Eastern Region Headquarters in Bohemia, NY. She will be working in SSD (Scientific Services Division) doing a wide variety of things, and starts at the end of July, 2002.

Class of 1997:

Sean Beinecke (Opt C)
Tami Beyer (Opt C) - When I graduated in Feb. 1997 - I moved to Chicago and ended up working for CompuCom Systems (the guy who hired me there thought 'hydrogeology' was such a unique field that he thought he'd give me a shot as an admin!) I worked my way up to become a computernetwork administrator and project manager. While at that job, I discovered GIS and decided I wanted to utilize this to a more advanced level - so I started looking around a little more. Wilbur Smith Associates, an engineering and transportation consulting firm in downtown Chicago, hired me because of my combination of skills in hydrogeology and computers. There I assisted certified engineers in the design of culverts and ditches (YES! I actually calculated discharge and stormwater quantities using 100 year and 500 year flood log charts!) I also learned quite a bit of GIS related to transportation modeling. I still was itching to work with these types of applications and become more specialized in this field. In November, I accepted an offer as a graduate research assistant at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, pursing my Masters in Computer Science with GIS emphasis (the GIS Master's program begins next year.) Here I have the esteemed pleasure of working with some of the top professors in surveying and GIS : Dr. Gary Jeffress and A.P. Stacey Lyle. My research is funded by NASA (several projects here are) - I am currently working on one project to design and build and shallow water remote-controlled boat that will perform significant data collection (water chemistry, tidal currents, etc.) for future work related to the Gulf of Mexico. Our campus is constructing a new facility, the Harte Research Institute, that will be used for significant Oceanography studies, primarily dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico's ecosystem and encourages tri-national responsibility and approach to understanding this special area of the world. I am excited to be involved at such an early stage of development and will hopefully be able to contribute some of my knowledge and expertise to the future of this program.
Constance Boyd (Opt C) - Dennis Fox passed along Constance's email address - is it really you Constance?
Jonathan Howe (Opt C) - Jon just stopped by the department on a visit back through Winona in mid-April (2003). Although he looks pretty much the same as he did the day he graduated, Jon's now working as a supervisor for a cable company installing hi-speed cable and internet lines in MSP. On weekends and vacations, he pulls the rock hammer out of the back of his car and gets back to his geologic roots.
Vincent Thompson (Opt B) - Vince is working with Halliburton in Houston, TX, where he's recently been promoted to HRD Technical Instructor. Vince tells us: "I teach everything I have been doing for the past 5 years as well as the latest technologies as they develop. A far cry from the job I had in Wisconsin. My office is located at corporate headquarters so the odds of obtaining new contacts are in my favor. I actually have a budget allotted for what ever supporting items I need. I've been happily married for 2.5 years and have a 5 month old son named Davis. Deanna (my wife) is a former high school math teacher. I say former because she is now a stay at home mom. I have a dog so all I need is 1.2 more children and I'm living the American dream. Yes, that great wit is still with me."
Brandon Jankovich-Reel (Opt C) - We heard that Brandon is now living and working in Missoula, Montana.
Richard Swanson (Opt C) - Rich finished up a MS in Geography from Hunter College in May 2002 and is currently employed as the GIS Coordinator for Wabasha County. Rich tells us: "Right now I am living in Wab, but I'm seriously thinking about moving to Winona in the spring. The move from NYC to Wabasha was just to much for me to handle, and I need to live in a place where I can (at the very least) dine at a restaurant past 7 pm. I'm also seriously thinking about pursuing a phD. The UofM has a great program for what I'm looking for, but I'm not to sure about the logistics (a.k.a. I don't want to move to the Twin Cities). It's probably to late to apply for next fall, but the following fall (2004) is more realistic. Plus, that will give time to think about a dissertaion topic and save some money!" Latest update (fall 2003) - Rich will be moving to Grand Junction, Colorado at the end of the year (in Jan 04) - he's getting married and starting a new life, with his soon-to-be wife, in the land of perpetually pleasant weather. Congratulations Rich!
Christopher Anderson (Opt C)
Kathryn Engber (Opt C)

Class of 1996:

Suzanne Carmichael (ESCI)
Chad Ihrke (Opt C) - M.S., St. Mary's University, Winona, MN; now at WI Dept. of Transportation, La Crosse, WI. Chad was back to WSU spring 2002 to help the department facilitate our Assessment Day activities. Thanks again Chad! Chad is teaching GIS as an adjunct faculty member in the Geoscience Department this spring (2004). It's great having Chad back.
Dean Mierau (Opt C) - M.S., St. Mary's University, Winona, MN; Dean was teaching at St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, but left that position to take another - we just don't know where...
Douglas Moilanen (Opt C)
Shawn Peter (Opt C)
Stacey Lane (Opt C)
Mark Packard (Opt C)
Eric Wright (Opt C)
Karl Green (Opt B) - After graduation, Karl worked as an intern for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Division of Waters until May, 1996. In June 1996, he was hired as a Hydrogeologist for Davy Engineering Co., performing various field activities including municipal well installation supervision, environmental clean-ups, and technical report writing. In 1999, Karl began writing grants for various environmental and municipal projects. Karl is now the grant writer for Davy Engineering Co., and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at UW-La Crosse.
Michelle Grimm (ESCI)
Jason (Jay) Richter (Opt B) - now with MN Dept. of Transportation, Minneapolis, MN. Jay (and his wife, Sarah Cardoman Richter, WSU '98) was back to WSU spring 2002 to help the department facilitate our Assessment Day activities. Thanks again Jay!
Nichole Volkert (Opt C)

Class of 1995:

Amy Bang (ESCI)
Joyce Cielecki (Opt C)
Paul Tepp (Opt C)
Dennis Fox (Opt B) - After a brief stint in the oil business in the Gulf of Mexico, Dennis returned briefly to WSU to try his hand at preparing to teach Earth Science. While here, he dutifully brought current students up-to-date on old stories about the faculty. Dennis wrote recently (April 2004) to tell us that he's just been admitted to the Industrial Hyggiene program at the U of M's School of Public Health. Dennis will start there in Fall 2004 - best of luck in graduate school Dennis!
Patrick Thorsell (Opt C)
Cynthia Cresswell (Opt C)
Jeffrey Rolfson (Opt C)

Link to Alums prior to 1995