With two visiting professors, a new sedimentologist and a rise in student research and travel opportunities, exciting things are happening in the geology department at St. Lawrence University, according to Associate Professor Jeff Chiarenzelli ’81.

The department has approximately 30 majors, “a good match for the size of the faculty and current facilities,” Chiarenzelli said.  He added that student demand for the introductory course this spring will likely lead to a rise in the number of majors. 

“With energy and metals prices, and concerns over water resources,” job opportunities in geology are “soaring,” explained Chiarenzelli.

 “The outlook has never been better for student research,” with many geology students conducting research abroad at least once, and some students taking multiple field trips per year, said Chiarenzelli.  Recent trips took students to Yellowstone Park, Alaska, and Curacao.  “Many more destinations are planned,” Chiarenzelli added.  

The department welcomes visiting professors Alexander Stewart, specializing in glacial geology, and Carl Pierce, a geophysicist and Jeffrey Campbell Fellow who has worked with the University for the past two years.  Another addition is Assistant Professor Antun Husinec, of Croatia, “one of the best young carbonate sedimentologists,” according to Chiarenzelli.

“It is a true pleasure to have these young and distinguished colleagues working with us,” Chiarenzelli commented. “All three of them are veterans.”

Improvements to the department will continue thanks to external funds provided by alumni, student interest and support, faculty efforts and the help of the geology department support staff, according to Chiarenzelli.

“We will likely reestablish ourselves as leaders in research on Adirondack geology, carbonate sedimentology and paleoclimatology, in addition to our current strengths,” he said. “We are in a very good place as a department.”    
                      
--Emily Denham ’08