AEG News Vol. 66 No. 5 - Winter 2023

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Vol. 66, No. 5 – Winter 2023

Meeting Recap

AEG 2023

Portland

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Vol. 66, No. 5 – Winter 2023

AEG News (ISSN 0899-5788; USPS 954-380) is published by the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG), 3053 Nationwide Pkwy., Brunswick, OH 44212, four times a year in April, July, and December with the Annual Report and Directory in March. The Annual Meeting Program with Abstracts is published only digitally, in September, and the digital copies are distributed at the AEG Annual Meeting. Association members receive an electronic copy of all five issues of AEG News as part of their dues. Print subscription for Association members, which includes all three regular issues of the AEG News and the Annual Report and Directory issue, is $40 in addition to annual membership dues. Nonmember annual subscription is $50. Back copies of AEG News regular issues are $12 each.

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Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those officially representing the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists except where expressly stated.

AEG News Editors Acquisitions Editor: Martha Whitney, Principal Engineering Geologist, Whitney Geologic, news@aegweb.org Content Editor: Bill Roman, Woodsman, bill.roman.bretz@gmail.com Managing Editor/Production: Andrea Leigh Ptak, Communicating Words & Images, 206-300-2067, andrealeighptak@me.com, www.andrealeighptak.com

Table of Contents Index to Advertisers

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From the Editors 4 In This Issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 News of the Association 5 The President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Vice President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Secretary’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 A Letter from the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 AEG Foundation Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 New AEG Special Publication Available for Download12 Beardsley-Kuper 2023 Field Camp Scholars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 2023–24 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Deb Green’s First Novel To Be Released in 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 In Memoriam–Phyllis Steckel, RG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 AEG Hosts Applied Geosciences CareerDiscussion and Virtual Field Trip . .23 In Memoriam–Paul B. DuMontelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Special Section 26 AEG 2023 Annual Meeting Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 News of the Profession 40 Virginia Geologist Certification Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 In Memoriam–James F. Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Submission Information

Professional Contribution 42 Increasing Enrollment of Underrepresented Students (URS) in STEM Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

In order of preference:

The HomeFront

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Advertising in the News

On the Cover A view of the Willamette River from the hotel during AEG’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

PHOTO BY LOREN LASKY

The Association 2023–24 Officers President: SARAH KALIKA Principal Geologist, DiabloGeo Environmental, San Ramon, California, president@aegweb.org Vice President/President Elect: RENEE WAWCZAK Hydrogeologist, Norridge, Illinois, VP@aegweb.org Treasurer: PAUL WEAVER Retired Geotechnical Geologist, treasurer@aegweb.org

Contact AEG Headquarters at advertising@aegweb.org.

Secretary: MARK SWANK Lead Engineering Geologist, FHWA Western Federal Lands, secretary@aegweb.org

Submission Deadlines

Past President: NATHAN SARACENO Principal Geologist, Gannett Fleming, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, PP@aegweb.org

https://www.aegweb.org/aeg-news-2 Canada Agreement number: PM40063731; Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Station A, PO Box 54; Windsor, ON N9A 6J5; Email: returnsil@imex.pb.com

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Association Contacts Headquarters: Association Manager: SHERI MASKOW J&M Business Solutions 3053 Nationwide Parkway, Brunswick, OH 44212 330-578-4900, manager@aegweb.org AEG Foundation—President: DUANE KREUGER, president@aegfoundation.org

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AEG NEWS 66(5)

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FROM THE EDITORS

In This Issue Bill Roman, AEG News Content Editor

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riting in the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday, it is fitting to express the editors’ thanks to the many volunteers who have graciously contributed to the Winter issue of AEG News. We owe thanks to AEG Secretary and Annual Meeting Co-Chair Mark Swank for his wonderful recap of the 2023 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon. The Annual Meeting recap includes photos from most of the meeting events and the four field courses. Many of the photos were taken by AEG’s professional photographer, but we are indebted to several AEG Members who submitted Annual Meeting photos including Visty Dalal, Jim Falls, Rick Kolb, Loren Lasky, Mark Swank, and Martha Whitney. We thank Jim Falls, who kindly shared a report on the Mount St. Helens Field Trip, and Student & Young Professional Support Committee Co-Chair Rick Kolb, who shared essays on the Annual Meeting written by the three travel grant winners—Lanie Bratz, Aleigha Dollens, and Jessie Hiatt.

We thank the Executive Council (EC) members for contributing their informative reports and inspiring messages. In her President’s Message, Sarah Kalika provides a recap of her presidential acceptance address delivered at the Annual Meeting banquet and reminds us of the importance of being good role models and mentors for the neophytes in our profession so that they may successfully grow into our profession’s future leaders. And speaking of supporting budding geoscientists, we are grateful to Dorian Kuper for sharing summer field camp essays and photos submitted by the three recipients of Beardsley Kuper Field Camp Scholarships—Grant Bradbury, Allie Faunce, and Kawner Sistrunk.

Continuing the outreach and support of neophytes theme, we thank Cynthia Palomares for her report on AEG hosting an applied geosciences career discussion and virtual field trip during GSA’s fall meeting and sharing her plans for the 2023–24 Jahns Distinguished Lectureship.

We thank Visty Dalal and Rick Kolb for their Membership Committee report, and the members of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEIC) for their report on the DEIC Symposium and AEG Inclusion Luncheon held during the Annual Meeting. We are sad to report on the passing of AEG Members Paul DuMontelle and Phyllis Steckel in 2023, and we are grateful to those who have written memorials in their honor— Christopher Stohr and Greg Hempen and Anna Saindon. We also thank R. Drew Thomas for his update on the Virginia licensure bill.

We are pleased to report of the release of a new AEG Special Publication—Urban Landslide Hazard Mapping: A Case Study in Orinda, California, authored by J. David Rogers, Dan Wang, and Rune Storesund, who have graciously made this work available at no charge to allow students, professionals, and the public to benefit from this extraordinary example of 4

geohazard mapping and urban planning.

Again, in the vein of outreach and support of future applied geoscientists, we thank Visty Dalal for his professional contribution which consists of a short synopsis of his lengthy doctoral thesis on increasing the enrollment of underrepresented students (URS) in STEM programs and provides an array of STEM intervention practices. AEG has been making tremendous efforts toward this end in recent years. The AEG EC’s Statement on Diversity makes it clear that AEG supports DEI in the geosciences profession and in AEG. Moreover, AEG is actively involved in efforts to encourage underrepresented populations to consider and pursue careers in the geosciences and to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment within AEG and the geosciences profession. In 2020, the EC established a DEI Committee (DEIC), which has been very active since its inception. As a result of efforts by AEG’s DEIC, the AEG Foundation currently offers a Diversity Scholarship for undergraduate students and grants for Diversity Field Trips for junior high and high school students. In addition, AEG recently hosted an applied geosciences career discussion and virtual field trip at the GSA annual meeting in Pittsburgh (see article on p. 23 of this issue).

In Chapter news, we are thankful to Loren Lasky for her report on the New York-Philadelphia Chapter’s field trip to Cushetunk Mountain and for Chapter/Region reports submitted

by Patricia Bryan (Chicago Chapter), Luke Ducey (St. Louis Chapter), Alec Melone (Puget Sound Chapter), and Darrin Hasham (SoCal Region). More items for the Homefront section are always welcome.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank AEG News Acquisitions Editor Martha Whitney for her tireless and valiant efforts to solicit contributions from the EC, the AEG Foundation, AEG’s technical working groups and operational committees, regional directors, Chapter leaders, and AEG members. Since AEG is a volunteer-driven association, AEG News exists by the grace of volunteers from throughout the association sharing their news with our Acquisitions Editor Martha Whitney. Please be sure to send her your news for the Spring issue of AEG News at news@aegweb.org.

Best wishes for a peaceful holiday season and a happy new year!

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Advertisers and their agencies are solely responsible for the content of all advertisements printed and also assume responsibility for any claims arising therefrom against the publisher. AEG and AEG News reserve the right to reject any advertising copy.

AEG NEWS 66(5)

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THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Greetings from Your President!

Sarah Kalika, 2023–24 AEG President

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or those of you who heard my presidential acceptance address at the Annual Meeting banquet, you will recall I mentioned that I had so much anxiety about giving this speech that I started writing it two years ago! If you know me, you know that I like to plan in advance and be prepared—because standing in front of a crowd and giving a speech like that is a lot of pressure! I considered having Chat GPT (an AI program) write it for me, but when I gave that a try—it was super generic, so I stuck with my own words. For those of you who didn’t hear it, I wanted to highlight some of the speech in this column.

As a member of AEG for almost fifteen years, I’d like to briefly summarize what I have learned so far from my involvement in AEG events. While I have enjoyed learning about things like lidar mapping, landslide mitigation, and environmental emerging contaminants, I have learned other important things that have helped me in my career: ■ how to encourage and support participation from volunteers ■ how to budget and organize a 900-person international joint

meeting with a lot of moving parts (and make it successful!)

■ how to write and rewrite organizational bylaws and policies

then Chair, and at that time, being the Chair meant that I had a seat at the Board of Directors meetings where I joined several operational committees and offered to take on small tasks, eventually serving on and chairing just about all of them. A few years later, I cofounded the Naturally Occurring Asbestos Technical Working Group. I had found my people, and Annual Meetings were no longer awkward events where I wandered around—knowing few people—and struggled to find my place. If you have ever attended an Annual Meeting and unsuccessfully tried to find a buddy to join you for a meal—the quickest way to turn that experience around is to join an Operational Committee or Technical Working Group. As incoming President this year, I struggled to make it across the room without getting caught up in multiple conversations!

After nearly fifteen years, in exchange for a bit of volunteer work (okay maybe sometimes more than a bit), AEG has helped me connect with geologists across the country and around the world! AEG has helped me expand my own knowledge of the profession I love so much, and my participation in AEG has given me a platform to contribute to the profession in ways I had never thought possible back at my first job—at a tiny

■ how to speak and write clearly about issues that matter to

me—technical and otherwise ■ how to lead by example and consider other perspectives, and, ■ most importantly—this life hack: how to know at a fancy dinner which side of your plate is your drink and which is your bread. Simply make a “b” with your left hand and a “d” with your right hand. Now put them in front of you on either side of your plate—the “b” is the bread side, “d” is your drink. Remember that and impress your colleagues at your next fancy dinner (AEG 2024 Annual Meeting banquet in Philadelphia, perhaps?)

A bit about me, I joined AEG as a fired-up early-career geologist who had finally passed the ASBOG and earned my PG, only to find out that in my home state of California—the Geology Licensure Board was on the verge of being eliminated!

After all this time and effort to get my PG, was all my time studying going to be for nothing? A coworker from my office suggested that I join AEG—because I was an official professional now and AEG dealt with these kinds of licensure threats. I would later find out that this is often the way our members join AEG—a suggestion from their employer or an unwritten assumption that this is what professional geologists do. As it turned out, the Geology Licensure Board was combined with the Engineers Board, which ultimately resulted in not only licensure protection but also a reduction in our fees for equity reasons, so it turned out alright.

By then, I had started going to the San Francisco Chapter meetings and quickly became the Vice Chair of the Chapter, Winter 2023

AEG NEWS 66(5)

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HEADER NEWS OFHERE THE ASSOCIATION – PRESIDENT’S & VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORTS company—when I sat in the windowless closet next to the copier, or a few months later, where I moved up in the world to do double duty as staff geologist and receptionist by virtue of my desk being near the front door (did anyone else know the delivery guy by name?).

I also know that while AEG opens doors, the results come from walking through them—by actively participating and working toward achieving our goals. I am committed to leading by example, learning from those who served before me, and in turn, being that mentor. Seriously, if you have ideas send me an email, and I can help you find the resources to get your idea elevated and implemented.

I treat AEG volunteerism like it’s my job, full of energy and enthusiasm for all of the things we can accomplish with the help of all of our volunteers. While respecting our history, I’m excited to be part of our present and future.

I have learned the duties of the presidential role from some fantastic predecessors, and I truly thank them for their guidance and inspiring example. I feel very lucky to be backed by a fantastic team in Vice President Renee Wawczak, Treasurer Paul Weaver, and Secretary Mark Swank, as well as Nate Saraceno, who will continue to provide his guidance as Past President.

As your 67th President, I am honored to serve as the public-facing representative of this long-standing association, and I plan to lead AEG this year with every bit of the attention to detail, passion, and commitment you expect. I’ve already started doing this by joining calls with partner associations, learning how to enhance our social media presence, working with our Board of Directors to encourage more frequent communication with members, and visiting Chapters!

Sarah at Horseshoe Bend

When writing my speech, I came across this quote by Helen Hayes: “An expert in anything was once a beginner,” and though simple, it’s a reflection that we all started somewhere.

So, I ask you to remember those days as a “beginner” and give your support to those who are coming up in our field and our association. Let’s mentor those beginners, help them, recognize them, and learn from them because that’s who (like me) will eventually be our next leaders of this great association!

Contact me at president@aegweb.org

Benefits of Volunteering Renee Wawczak, 2023–24 AEG Vice President

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nother year has gone, and a new role with AEG is here! During the fabulous Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, I had the pleasure of leaving behind the responsibility of Treasurer and transitioning into my new role as Vice President/President Elect on the Executive Council. In this dynamic position, one of my duties is to serve as the liaison between AEG’s many committees, the Executive Council, and the Board of Directors. I will be attending as many committee meetings as my schedule allows, working with the Strategic Initiatives Coordinators to implement the most recent version of the Strategic Plan, and working to support our amazing volunteers as they continue to drive AEG forward.

AEG is a volunteer-led association, which means we need you! Our Association thrives because of all the dedicated work put in by our committees. And while I feel we have some of the best volunteers around, we always need additional hands to lighten the load, as well as bring fresh ideas to the table.

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Volunteering is not only a rewarding experience on its own but also provides many benefits to you! Volunteering allows you to give back directly to the profession, and it allows you to develop leadership skills that you may not get directly from your workplace. Chairing or co-chairing a committee will teach you organizational and communication skills that you may not use on a day-to-day basis, especially if you are just starting out in your career. Volunteering opens doors to additional networking—and friendships! My best friends at AEG are the ones I’ve volunteered and collaborated with. Finally, volunteering lets you decide what you want to see in the Association—you get to leave your mark directly! Thank you to those of you who have already reached out directly to me to volunteer for the Association. If you want to get involved, I encourage you to contact me directly at VP@aegweb.org to discuss your ideas, the needs of the Association, and where you can make a difference at AEG.

AEG NEWS 66(5)

Winter 2023

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – TREASURER’S HEADER REPORT HERE

AEG Remains in Excellent Financial Condition Paul Weaver, 2023–24 AEG Treasurer

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s of the Annual Meeting in Portland, I have transitioned from AEG Secretary to AEG Treasurer. This is both an exciting and daunting position to take on, but I’m ready for the challenge. Luckily, I have three other members of the Executive Council (EC), who served as Treasurer in their progression through the EC, as well as our Association Management Company, J&M, to help me along.

AEG continues to remain financially strong, which in my understanding, is not the case with many other professional associations. Once again, we have an essentially balanced budget for 2023–24. Over the last few years, we have managed to build up our Treasurer’s Reserve account, which was established to assure that AEG had at least one year’s worth of expenses put aside in case of a catastrophe, to the amount required to meet that goal, plus a bit extra.

The Annual Meeting held in Portland this September was a great success. We had a total of 483 in-person attendees.

Two of the four field courses were sold out, as was the Special Event. We exceeded our required hotel room block and exceeded our sponsorships’ and exhibitors’ goals. We are projecting an approximate $25K surplus for the meeting (total meeting accounting will most likely not be accomplished until the end of the year when all invoices have been received).

The Annual Meeting is crucial to providing the funds needed for AEG to continue being financially stable. Please plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia and let’s continue this success. As a reminder, our Annual Meeting will be held in Chicago in 2025 and Chattanooga in 2026. If your Chapter would be interested in hosting a future Annual Meeting, please let me know (I’m also Co-Chair of the AEG Meetings Advisory Committee).

AEG’s membership numbers continue to be strong with a total membership of 2,850 as of the end of August. Of these, 1,256 are Full Members who provide approximately 90 percent of AEG’s income from paid dues. If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2024, please do so as soon as possible.

Renewal is easy on AEG’s membership renewal webpage at https://www.aegweb.org/membership-renewal.

In addition to the revenue from the Annual Meeting, AEG relies on income from AEG-hosted webinars and specialty conferences/professional forums to help maintain our fiscal strength. AEG’s goal is to have at least two specialty conferences/forums each year; these can be in-person or virtual. If you have ideas for a conference/forum, and/or are willing to take the lead in putting on a conference/forum, please reach out to anyone on the EC, and we will be happy to assist you

Winter 2023

in the steps involved and put you in touch with the people who can help “get the ball rolling.”

Finally, a friendly reminder to all Chapter Treasurers that Chapter Financial Statements are to be submitted to headquarters at the end of each quarter. Especially important is the timely submittal of year-end Chapter Financial Statements as soon as possible after the end of the year since these are used as part of the year-end evaluation of AEG’s financial health for the year.

Thank you for your continued support of AEG, and I look forward to serving as your Treasurer for the coming year.

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AEG News Welcomes Your Feedback.

Comments, suggestions, or questions should be sent with the writer's name, address, and daytime phone number via e-mail to news@aegweb.org.

AEG NEWS 66(5)

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HEADER NEWS OFHERE THE ASSOCIATION – SECRETARY’S REPORT

A New Journey Begins Mark Swank, 2023–24 AEG Secretary

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am so proud to be serving as this year’s incoming Secretary and starting my journey through the Executive Council, following behind so many esteemed peers. I have been a member of AEG since my time in graduate school in San Jose. I was on the Oregon Chapter Board for the five-year transition track from Secretary to Past Chair, and most recently as the Pacific Regional Director. In September, I attended my first board meeting in my new role as Secretary at our Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

By participating in the Board Meetings as the AEG Region 3 Director, as a Co-Chair of AEG’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Portland, and now as AEG Secretary, I have hands-on leadership experience with each role progressing my service to the Association. I continue to value the benefits, connections, and friendships I have made over my twenty years participating in AEG and look forward to directly engaging in the many efforts the Board of Directors will be working through over the next several years!

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AEG NEWS 66(5)

Winter 2023

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – A LETTER TO OUR MEMBERS

Addressing Concerns and Reaffirming Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Technical Excellence in Geosciences Nathan R. Saraceno, PG, Immediate Past-President on behalf of the AEG Executive Council and Board of Directors

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s the Executive Council and Board of Directors of AEG, we acknowledge and respect the diverse opinions among our members. Recently, we have received multiple messages from members voicing strong objections to our organization’s emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These members criticized our DEI efforts and the establishment of a DEI Committee as unproductive and misaligned with the traditional scientific focus of geology, labeling it as a diversion from our core mission. Several of these members have expressed their decision to discontinue their membership and support for our organization as a direct result of our commitment to DEI. We wish to address these concerns while reaffirming our stance on DEI and our ongoing efforts in professional development. We understand such changes and initiatives can evoke a range of reactions and we are prepared to engage in constructive dialogues around these topics. However, we firmly believe that our commitment to DEI complements our dedication to technical excellence and professional development in the applied geosciences. As a volunteer-based organization, AEG’s initiatives are largely driven and executed by dedicated members like yourself. It’s important to emphasize that the addition of new initiatives or committees, such as those dedicated to DEI, does not detract resources from our ongoing commitment to technical excellence and professional development. We are steadfast in our dedication to all aspects of our mission and core goals. Moreover, we actively encourage each of our members to contribute their unique ideas and expertise through the various volunteer opportunities available, helping to shape the future of AEG and ensuring it remains a vibrant and inclusive community for all applied geology professionals.

Why DEI Efforts Are Necessary for Professional Geoscience Societies: As we address the concerns raised by some of our members regarding our DEI initiatives, it’s important to outline why these efforts are necessary for the growth and evolution of AEG and the geoscience profession.

Comprehensive Understanding: Geosciences, while primarily focused on Earth’s physical aspects, intersect significantly with human society. Environmental and engineering geology, for instance, directly impact urban planning, resource manageWinter 2023

ment, and hazard mitigation. Diverse perspectives, including those shaped by different human experiences, enrich our understanding of these interactions, leading to more holistic and effective solutions.

Global Representation: Our profession’s impact is worldwide, influencing diverse populations. Embracing DEI ensures our profession mirrors this global demographic, which is critical for addressing geoscientific issues that transcend borders. This representation is essential for understanding the global implications of our work and for maintaining international relevance and credibility.

Fostering Innovation: Diversity in thought and experience is a proven catalyst for innovation. When professionals from varied backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique problem-solving approaches. This diversity is invaluable in a field like geosciences, where challenges are complex and multidimensional.

Ethical Responsibility: Promoting DEI aligns with our ethical obligation to ensure fairness, respect, and equal opportunities within our profession. This involves actively working against biases and barriers that have historically excluded certain groups, ensuring a profession that is accessible and welcoming to all.

Inclusivity in STEM: As a leader in geosciences—a field notably less diverse than other STEM areas—AEG has a responsibility to set a positive example in advancing DEI. This initiative influences the broader landscape of STEM, encouraging other fields to follow suit and contributing to a more inclusive scientific community.

AEG NEWS 66(5)

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – A LETTER TO OUR MEMBERS Attracting Young Talent: The upcoming generation of geoscientists is more diverse and places a high value on inclusivity and representation. Our commitment to DEI is critical in attracting, nurturing, and retaining these young professionals, ensuring the future vibrancy and relevance of our field.

Societal Relevance: Our work in geosciences doesn’t exist in a vacuum but impacts society at large. Our commitment to DEI ensures that our work in geosciences remains relevant and responsive by reflecting the diverse perspectives and needs of the communities we serve. In embracing DEI, AEG acknowledges the varied experiences and challenges faced by different communities, particularly in areas such as environmental impact, resource management, and hazard mitigation. This inclusivity not only enriches our scientific understanding but also ensures our research and practices are attuned to the multifaceted societal contexts in which we operate, thereby maintaining the relevance and applicability of our work in a rapidly evolving world.

Networking and Collaboration: Emphasizing DEI in AEG cultivates a robust network of professionals from varied backgrounds, fostering a community where diverse experiences and insights are shared. This focus on diversity not only broadens our professional networks but also creates a richer, more inclusive community where members can learn from each other’s unique perspectives, enhancing both personal and professional growth within the geosciences.

Enhancing Accessibility in Geosciences: A critical aspect of DEI is ensuring geosciences are accessible to all, overcoming barriers related to physical ability, economic background, caregiver responsibilities, or location. By facilitating accessible environments and resources, offering financial support, and ensuring equal participation opportunities, we broaden our talent pool and enrich our field with diverse perspectives. Such efforts are fundamental in making geosciences a truly inclusive and global discipline.

Prioritizing Our Professional Community: AEG understands that a professional society exists for its members— the professionals who form the backbone of our community.

This perspective is central to our mission, acknowledging that the advancement and vitality of applied geology are driven by the individuals who embody this field. Our diverse experiences, skills, and insights are what animate our society, making the human aspect as crucial as technical expertise in shaping our profession’s future. A focus on our members is a cornerstone of our strategic plan, emphasizing our dedication to providing a nurturing environment where individuals can thrive, not just in their technical prowess but also in their personal and professional development.

AEG’s Continued Support for Members and Applied Geology Professions: As we reinforce our commitment to DEI, it is equally important to highlight how AEG continues to support and enrich the professional lives of our members in the field of applied 10

geology. The following points illustrate our unwavering dedication to advancing professional development, technical excellence, and member support in our organization.

Unwavering Technical Focus: Our core commitment to the scientific study of geology, including the history and science of rocks, remains unaltered. Our technical programs and educational content continue to be of the highest quality and relevance.

Professional Development: AEG continues to prioritize professional development, offering educational and training opportunities through our webinars and Chapter meetings, occasional workshops and field courses, and technical seminars including the Annual Meeting. These initiatives ensure our members stay at the forefront of advancements in applied geology.

Advancing Geosciences: Our initiatives in research, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination consistently aim to advance the field. We are committed to exploring new frontiers in applied geology, contributing to the field’s growth and evolution.

Networking and Advocacy: Through conferences, meetings, and online platforms, we provide abundant opportunities for our members to connect, collaborate, and share experiences.

We also advocate for the interests and needs of applied geologists, ensuring their voices are heard in relevant discussions and decision-making processes.

Engaging in AEG’s Active Community and Utilizing Resources: In line with our strategic goals, we strongly encourage our members to become more actively involved in AEG. Active participation is the foundation of a thriving professional community, and AEG offers numerous avenues for engagement and making the most of the resources we provide. This section underscores some of the various avenues through which our members can contribute their expertise, enhance their professional growth, and actively participate in shaping the direction and impact of AEG. AEG is a multifaceted organization with various Operational Committees focusing on diverse member needs. These committees address a wide range of interests and professional concerns, offering an excellent opportunity for members to contribute their expertise, learn from others, and help shape the future of our association.

Our Technical Working Groups are dedicated to examining the current state of practice in different areas of applied geology. Engaging with these groups allows members to stay abreast of the latest developments, contribute to advancing our field, and network with peers sharing similar technical interests.

We also provide resources to support our members and Chapters in generating content for AEG publications and social media outlets, including the AEG Blog www.aegweb.org/aeg-blog.

This is a chance for members to share their insights, research findings, and experiences, thereby contributing to the collective knowledge of our community and enhancing the visibility of their work.

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – FOUNDATION HEADER REPORT HERE

AEG Foundation – Supporting Students

T

Nichole J. Vetter, PG, AEGF Director

he AEG Foundation was proud to select and present seven students with Lemke Awards at the Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

The Lemke Award is a monetary prize that is intended to help students who present their research defray the costs of attending the meeting.

The 2023 Lemke Awardees

Katelyn Card, University of Washington

Natalie Culhane, Western Washington University

2024 Scholarships The AEG Foundation is delighted to announce that the application process for 2024 scholarships is now open!

Check out the AEG Foundation’s Fund webpage at https://aegfoundation.org/grant-scholarships/ to learn more about the different scholarships, qualifications, and various requirements to find out which one(s) you should apply for.

The application process is straightforward and painless, but it’s best to start now! The application deadline for 2024 scholarships is January 15, 2024. Currently, applications are accepted only online.

Please visit AEGF’s scholarship application webpage at https://applications.aegfoundation.org/scholarships/ to apply.

PLEASE NOTE: You must set up an account for the application process that is separate from your AEG log-in.

The following funds/grants are available for 2024: BEARDSLEY-KUPER FUND: Provides support for field camp tuition and expenses.

Elizabeth Davis, University of Washington

Jessica Hiatt, Colorado School of Mines

Melina Lazar, Oklahoma State University

CAROLINAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Provides support for geologic studies by undergraduate students enrolled in a geology or geoscience program at an accredited university in North Carolina or South Carolina.

DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND: In mid-2020, AEG established the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee (DEIC).

Leaders and members of the DEIC established the AEG Foundation Diversity Scholarship Fund to support academic scholarships for qualified college/university students.

DIVERSITY FIELD TRIPS GRANT: Supports geoscience enrichment field trips for junior-high-school (or middle-school) and high-school students and academic scholarships for college/university students.

LEMKE FUND: Provides support to AEG Student Members presenting at professional meetings in which AEG plays a substantial role.

Isaac Pope, Colorado School of Mines

MARLIAVE FUND: Provides support to graduate and undergraduate scholarships in engineering geology and geological engineering.

MATHEWSON FUND: Provides support to AEG Student Members studying in Texas.

Caleb Ring, University of Nevada Reno

ROBERT J. WATTERS GREAT BASIN CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Provides support for geoscience studies by students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

SHLEMON QUATERNARY ENGINEERING GEOLOGY FUND: Provides support for geologic studies by students at the graduate level.

…continued on page 12

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HEADER NEWS OFHERE THE ASSOCIATION – FOUNDATION REPORT STOUT FUND: Provides support to graduate and undergraduate students in environmental and engineering geology.

DEI Letter to Members…continued

SUSAN STEELE WEIR SCHOLARSHIP FUND (WOMEN OF “STEELE”): Provides support for the continued development and advancement of women in the profession of engineering geology.

Furthermore, AEG offers support for organizing webinars, symposia, and other professional gatherings. These events are not only crucial for professional development and networking but also serve as platforms for members to discuss and address current issues, trends, and innovations in applied geology.

We believe that each member has unique insights and contributions to offer. Your active participation helps shape AEG into an association that truly caters to the needs and aspirations of its members. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and find ways to contribute that align with your interests and professional goals. Together, we can continue to build an AEG that reflects the diverse interests and expertise of all its members.

Join us in making AEG a vibrant, inclusive, and forwardthinking community. Your voice, expertise, and active involvement are what make our association truly exceptional.

In conclusion, while we respect the choice of some members to disengage over our DEI efforts, we believe these initiatives are essential for a progressive, inclusive, and dynamic future in geosciences. We are committed to maintaining our high standards of technical excellence while fostering an inclusive environment for all members. We encourage ongoing dialogue and welcome diverse perspectives as we continue to advance both the scientific and professional aspects of our field.

JOHN MOYLAN STUDENT CHAPTER GRANT: Provides support to AEG Student Chapters for field trips, visiting professionals, and other program needs through small grants.

TILFORD FUND: Provides support to graduate and undergraduate students for field studies.

WEST-GRAY SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Provides support to undergraduate and graduate geology students in the eastern half of the United States.

New AEG Special Publication #31 Available for Download Urban Landslide Hazard Mapping: A Case Study in Orinda, California, USA J. David Rogers, Dan Wang, and Rune Storesund After a multi-year effort to write, edit, and publish, AEG is proud to announce that AEG Special Publication #31—Urban Landslide Hazard Mapping: A Case Study in Orinda, California, USA—is ready for viewing!

The authors of this outstanding work are J. David Rogers, emeritus professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, former Jahns Distinguished Lecturer, and recipient of the Schuster Medal and numerous AEG awards; Dan Wang of Chengdu University of Technology, Sichuan, China; and Rune Storesund of Storesund Consulting in Kensington, California.

According to the book’s preface, “This book is a pioneering work that not only provides crucial geological information but also sets a benchmark for geohazard mapping and urban planning. It serves as a valuable resource for professionals, policymakers, and property owners, highlighting the importance of geological awareness in mitigating the risks associated with landslides and surficial deposits in urban areas.”

Dr. Rogers intended this work to be available at no charge to allow students, professionals, and the public to benefit from this information.

Please download this publication today from AEG’s Special Publications webpage at www.aegweb.org/special-publications.

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – FOUNDATION REPORT

Beardsley Kuper 2023 Field Camp Summary

Grant Bradbury

A

large part of why I selected Idaho State University (ISU) for my undergraduate degree in geosciences was due to the wide variety of topics covered and the physical and mental intensity of the field camp, and I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. The setting of ISU’s Lost River Field Station (LRFS) is absolutely stunning. The LRFS is situated about 15 miles north of Mackay, Idaho, along the Big Lost River near the foot of Mt. Borah, Idaho’s tallest peak at 12,660 feet.

The general structure of coursework was two to five days of fieldwork per project followed by either a half- or full-day in the office depending on the size of the project. Typically, each project consisted of a geologic map, geologic history, a description of map units, and a cross section.

The first week was spent mapping sedimentary rocks in Darlington with Dr. Kurt Sundell of ISU. This exercise was primarily to test our mapping skills and introduce us to identifying folds based on plotted structural attitudes. It also served to help us use fine details in fossil succession, primarily the occurrence of marker fossils, to differentiate what would otherwise be identical grey carbonates.

Recording attitudes of carbonates in Darlington, Idaho

The next week was geomorphology week, and we spent the week mapping river terraces and performing hydrologic measurements in Rock Creek, and mapping mass movement along Grant Creek with Dr. Glenn Thackaray of ISU. The Rock Creek hydrology measurements were a combination of traditional analog methods such as cross-sectional area discharge calculations and more modern methods like salt dilution and velocimeter measurements. We also used differences in vegetative cover and cross-cutting relationships to determine the relative ages of the different episodes of movement and movement style.

The third week was dedicated to volcanics, specifically Eocene Challis Volcanics, and we completed two maps in one week, one of the Grouse, Idaho area, and one of Jim Canyon.

These projects were completed with Dr. Shannon Kobs-Nawotniak of ISU. This week was almost exclusively dedicated to recognizing Winter 2023

Using a velocimeter at Rock Creek, Idaho

unconformities in the field and differentiating units based on subtle mineralogy changes. This week is also where writing good geologic histories came into play, as there were several tilting events and cross-cutting dikes, so being able to spot subtle differences in bedding and incorporating them was paramount.

The fourth week was focused on igneous and metamorphic rock mapping in Boulder Creek with Dr. Kendra Murray of ISU and special guest Mark Schmitz of Boise State University. We also had a representative from Brunton Compasses, Monica, at camp that week. The primary objectives from this week were differentiating metamorphic and intrusive igneous rocks based on texture and composition differences. This was easily my favorite field site, as it was the most physically demanding and beautiful field area.

The fifth and final week was dedicated to structure and was completed at Banana Canyon along the Big Lost River with Dr. David Pearson from ISU. This week was mostly focused on bringing all of our mapping skills together into a polished final project with a structural emphasis.

At the end of camp, I can confidently look back and say that I greatly improved my field geologist skills and am now far more competent and career-ready than I was at the beginning of camp. I greatly appreciate the Beardsley-Kuper scholarship fund for allowing me to attend field camp without financial hardship. In addition to my professional development, I strengthened bonds with my existing friends and made new lifelong friends and professional contacts with Observing slickensides in the Smiley students and future Creek Conglomerate, Banana Canyon, geoscientists from Idaho across America.

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Beardsley-Kuper 2023 Field Camp Summary

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Kawner Sistrunk

or several weeks this summer, I explored central Idaho as a student at the Idaho State University (ISU) field camp. My experience with this field camp is entirely positive because I enjoyed the time I spent working and thinking about the rocks. The Lost River Field Station where ISU hosts their field camp is situated near the base of the Lost River Range. While we were working, we had the field camp director, Dr. Ryan Anderson, one or two visiting professors, and three teaching assistants available to answer our questions, and we had sufficient tools to help us create our maps and other deliverables. Our deliverables for each week primarily included a geologic map, a description of map units, the geologic history of the area, and a cross-section.

The first of the five weeks of field camp was focused primarily on sedimentary rocks, and Dr. Kurt Sundell was the visiting professor to assist with this project. The ideas that were emphasized during sedimentary week included paying attention to bedding attitudes, the Rule of Vs, and fossil composition in different carMeasuring a nearly vertical slickenside bonate rocks. To surface correctly map the unit boundaries, we were trained to use the Rule of Vs to map with the topography. By the end of the first week, we were able to make reasonable geologic maps.

We quickly started week two—geomorphology—with Dr. Glenn. The river evolution project required that we understand river erosion enough to map river terraces. The next task was to map landslide deposits while separating out rockfalls, minor slumps, and levees. With two mapping projects completed, we ended the week using different methods of stream gauging including a velocimeter and volumetric stream measurements combined with the velocity of an orange moving through the measured area.

Volcanology was the focus of our third week. Dr. Shannon Kobs-Nawotniak was the visiting professor for this week and she helped explain to us some basic concepts for classifying and differentiating volcanic rocks. The units for both field areas are contained within the Cenozoic with the Challis volcanic units being Eocene in age. The Challis volcanic units are famously difficult to map and interpret, but we completed this task in smaller areas during field camp. By the end of the 14

Standing on the Dickey Creek rock glacier

week, we were able to correctly identify a tuff from a flow from a volcanic mudflow.

Our fourth week was focused on petrology, and we had two visiting professors: Dr. Kendra Murray and Dr. Mark Schmitz. Defining different units was not an issue because we were given the description of map units prior to entering the field. The primary challenges that we faced were differentiating the two similar gneiss units, understanding low-angle normal faults, and measuring foliations. Our final maps showed a north-dipping, low-angle normal fault revealing old gneiss units that are folded. By the Measuring a slickenside surface relating to end of the week, a prominent fault along an unconformity the quality of our between Mississippian and Eocene units petrologic observations was much higher than before.

Before our final week of field camp, we took a few days to visit Yellowstone National Park as a class to learn about its extremely interesting geology.

We looked at some of the different lava flows, tuffs, and calderas related to

AEG NEWS 66(5)

Winter 2023

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – FOUNDATION REPORT Yellowstone eruptions. The hydrothermal features were a significant part of our visit because of the surface features we see and the implications that they reveal of what is occurring underground. Our trip ended with looking at a landslide deposit that was triggered by an earthquake from a nearby normal fault.

Once we got back from Yellowstone, our final week of field camp was underway. Dr. Dave Pearson was our visiting professor for structure week. We had only one field area for this week because our brains were pushed to the limit by combining many of the skills we acquired along with new ideas. We had to use the Rule of Vs, differentiate Challis tuffs and lava flows, and better field observations gathered throughout our

weeks of field camp. We measured an abundant amount of slickenlines across the fault surface to understand the direction of slip. With our field observations combined with stereonet information, our final maps of the field camp were completed with geologic accuracy.

Overall, the field camp experience with ISU was phenomenal. I felt challenged with many of the tasks, and I feel like I learned a lot. Alongside this, I had a fantastic time and made some great memories. I would not have been able to have this field camp experience without the Beardsley-Kuper Field Camp Scholarship, and for that, I am extremely grateful. As I am going straight into graduate school, I am extremely happy to have had this opportunity to learn and enjoy my summer.

Beardsley-Kuper 2023 Field Camp Summary

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Allie Faunce

y field camp experience in Newfoundland, Canada, was a pivotal moment in my journey to pursue exploration geology and geophysics. This six-week field camp experience not only enhanced my skills in geology and developed life-long friendships but also deepened my passion for geophysics and exploration geology and led to my dedication to pursuing this as a career, all while introducing me to the awe-inspiring geological wonders of Newfoundland.

My adventure started with a Collecting data on a headland near St. John’s for a geologic map three-day car and ferry expedition, marking my firstever border crossing into the captivating landscape of Canada.

The anticipation grew as I journeyed through picturesque towns and winding roads, providing tantalizing glimpses of Canada’s stunning geology and something I would soon be all too familiar with—limestone conglomerate.

Day in and day out, we studied and trekked the insane geology of Newfoundland to develop geological maps, cross sections, stereonet plots, and even geophysical profiles (seismic and electrical resistivity surveys). Looking back, it is hard to pick a favorite field moment because while they all provide different challenges, I genuinely loved trying to decipher this geologic puzzle and figuring out mechanically how it all fit together. Our field locations included Gros Morne National Park, Winter 2023

Sitting on a ripped-up mega limestone conglomerate clast

Green Point (a Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Cambrian-Ordovician boundary), Cow Head Peninsula, and St. Johns, Newfoundland.

The geology of Newfoundland is a world apart from the familiar landscape of Pennsylvania, and having the opportunity to participate in a field camp there was nothing short of extraordinary. From dramatic fold structures to colossal megaclasts, it was a structural geologist’s best dream or worst nightmare. The amount of hand signs used (trying to communicate the formation of this structure) and headaches had risen significantly during the Cow Head mapping portion.

My favorite part about learning from my professors was their patience in answering my endless what-if questions and challenging my thinking and knowledge as well. Getting into the

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – FOUNDATION REPORT

Green Point GSSP

professional career—that I answered their verbal exam questions like a true structural geologist would.

I’m immensely grateful for this experience that enabled my passion in this field of geology and for the relationships I have built during this experience. I would like to thank the AEG Foundation, including Dorian and Tom Kuper, as well as the professors and students, without whom this trip wouldn’t have been possible. If you have any questions or would like to hear more about this experience, please feel free to contact me at allie.faunce@wilkes.edu.

Some of the many crazy folds seen in Cow Head, Newfoundland

exploration geologist mindset, most of my questions pertained to “where the best place to drill would be if searching for oil basins or rare seams of minerals.” Looking back, these were by far some of my favorite memories because the academia I learned throughout my time at Wilkes University started clicking with the professional aspect of what I hoped my career would be in the future. Here I even received one of the most impactful compliments that will definitely stick with me for my entire

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – COMMITTEE HEADER REPORTS HERE

Committees

Minda Moe at the Inclusion Luncheon podium

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Doing the Work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Annual Meeting In September 2023, hundreds of AEG members came together in Portland, Oregon, to learn, network with colleagues, visit with old friends, and make new ones—and to do the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our Association and our profession. We held two events that addressed DEI issues specifically—the third annual symposium organized by AEG’s DEI Committee (DEIC) and the Inclusion Luncheon. In addition, many informal conversations took place throughout the meeting in support of moving toward making our professional community more welcoming and equitable.

During the first day of the AEG Annual Meeting’s Technical Sessions, outgoing DEIC Co-Chair, Deb Green, opened the symposium: DEI—Doing the Work, with the acknowledgement that we were meeting on ancestral and unceded land of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and other Tribes who made their homes and seasonal encampments along the Columbia River. We followed by thanking the session’s sponsor, Weyerhaeuser.

Jamboard from the Inclusion Luncheon

L to R: Anna Saindon, Tiffany Smith, Visty Dalal, Sarah Kalika, and Deb Green

Then we dove in, first, with Masai Lawson, Gannett Fleming’s Senior Manager in Talent Acquisition and the company’s DEI Steering Committee Chair, who spoke about strategies to improve business performance through workplace equity. Next, Dr. Visty Dalal discussed his doctoral research on increasing enrollment of underrepresented students in STEM education (see page 42 for a summary). After a short break, incoming DEIC Co-Chair, Matt Buche, told the story of starting a Winter 2023

Geology Alumni Society at his alma mater in which inclusion and collaboration were core values. Anna Saindon then gave an informative, and heartfelt, talk on hidden disabilities and how we can be inclusive to those who have them. Dr. Tiffany Smith of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) spoke about indigenous knowledge and languages, and how they can inform and enhance study and work in STEM fields. We closed the talks with AEG’s incoming President, Sarah Kalika, who discussed intentional inclusion in AEG, and the progress she hopes to make in that during her term as AEG’s leader. We ended the afternoon session with a panel discussion featuring all the symposium speakers, plus Rachel Pirot (a co-author on the Geology Alumni Society talk) and Deb Green. The talks and panel discussion were well-researched, thought-provoking, and even courageous. The symposium started conversations that continued throughout the meeting, and beyond. Sincere thanks to all who participated, both speakers and attendees. We are all doing the work of DEI in AEG. The following day the Inclusion Luncheon (the next chapter of the Women in AEG breakfasts/lunches from previous AEG Annual Meetings) was held. Sponsored by AEG Past-President and Honorary Member, Susan Steele Weir, approximately thirty attendees met for lunch, to share experiences and ideas, and

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – COMMITTEE REPORTS to work toward a more inclusive AEG. After attendees settled at their tables, outgoing DEIC Co-Chair, Jenn Bauer, introduced incoming DEIC Co-Chair, Minda Moe, who began the program with a summary of projects the committee is working on. We then launched into a lively conversation, moderated by Jenn Bauer, using the Jamboard app which allowed for real-time recording of participants’ ideas on a digital whiteboard. Stay tuned for AEG News articles in the future, outlining projects to be launched from those ideas.

Conversations on DEI topics continued throughout the rest of the Annual Meeting—during breaks between technical sessions, on field trips, and after-hours at informal and formal gatherings. Ideas from previous conversations were built upon, tentative plans made, and frameworks envisioned for DEI moving forward. One example of such, that you might consider taking forward for your own DEI journey—to be intentionally inclusive of Indigenous voices in our work, consider using the 2SLGBTQ+ acronym to recognize Two-Spirit people.

The DEIC is committed to doing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both at the Annual Meeting, and throughout the year. There are several DEIC members who would be happy to speak, virtually or in person, at Chapter meetings. Please reach out to the new DEIC Co-Chairs, Minda Moe (minda.moe@arcadis.com) and Matt Buche (mbuche@gfnet.com), so we can provide support around these important issues.

Membership Committee (MemCom) Visty Dalal and Rick Kolb, Co-Chairs

MemCom Becomes AEG’s Newest Operational Committee At AEG’s Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, in September 2023, the Executive Committee approved the formation of the Membership Committee (MemCom) as AEG’s newest operational committee. The main goal of MemCom is to increase AEG’s membership, as well as to retain the existing membership. MemCom’s Co-Chairs are Rick Kolb, and Dr. Visty Dalal.

The Co-Chairs are grateful to Martha Whitney and Curt Schmidt for their willingness to join MemCom in our common goal of bringing great benefits of AEG membership to new and renewing members. More volunteers are needed in MemCom so that together we can pursue our goals of increasing AEG’s membership and enhancing and promoting member benefits.

AEG promotes the value that environmental and engineering geologists bring to each project. We advocate on behalf of our members to engineering groups, other geoscience organizations, and local, state, and national legislative leaders. AEG also supports members’ efforts to establish, enhance, or defend professional licensure through funding, communication, and collaborative efforts.

Membership benefits at AEG include, but are not limited to, access to a robust network of applied geoscience professionals; registration discounts for the Annual Meeting and additional forums, webinars, and symposiums; access to AEG (and IAEG) publications (Insider, AEG News, and Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, the Geology of the Cities of the World 18

series, and special publications); continuing education credits applicable at state, national, and international levels; participation/leadership opportunities in numerous operational committees and technical working groups; access to the AEG Job Board, etc. AEG members can join IAEG (International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment) when they sign up for or renew their membership with AEG. For more information, please visit AEG’s Member Benefits webpage today.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rick Kolb (rick.kolb1@gmail.com) or Dr. Visty Dalal (visty.dalal@maryland.gov).

Thank you for your support!

Student & Young Professional Support Committee (SYPSC) Rick Kolb, SYPSC Co-Chair

First-time Attendees of the Portland Annual Meeting Share Their Thoughts AEG’s SYPSC awards travel grants funded by the AEG Foundation to AEG Student Members, Early Career Members, and Teacher Members to help support them when attending their first AEG Annual Meeting. Grant-winning Student Members must volunteer to work one day at the meeting, which allows them to attend for free. This year, our committee awarded travel grants to Jessie Hiatt, a second-year graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines; Lanie Bratz, a recent graduate of Chico (CA) State University who is now employed as an environmental geologist; and Aleigha Dollens, a senior at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. We asked these young recipients to summarize in writing their experiences at the annual meeting and to provide suggestions for improvements that we could share with our committee and AEG’s membership.

Jessie Hiatt Attending the Annual Meeting not only provided me the opportunity to present my research on underground coal fires but also allowed me to have countless conversations about my work with geoscientists from a diverse range of fields. I was not expecting other attendees to have much knowledge or experience with underground coal fires but was happily proven wrong.

I was incredibly excited to share my knowledge but more importantly eager to learn from others.

The meeting allowed me to build relationships with other professionals of diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.

The exchange of ideas and perspectives at the meeting allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the broader implications of my research and shed light on aspects of my research that I had not previously considered. Hearing about different approaches and methodologies employed by professionals in related fields not only broadened my knowledge but also inspired me to explore new methodologies and techniques in my own work.

I thoroughly enjoyed the technical sections, particularly those focusing on geohazards and land subsidence, as they

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – COMMITTEE REPORTS provided valuable insights into the complex interplay between geological processes, human activities, and the role we play today. Learning about advancements in monitoring and mitigating geohazards, and understanding the underlying mechanisms, enhanced my awareness of the multifaceted challenges faced by geoscientists worldwide.

I am grateful for the invaluable knowledge and connections I have gained. I was able to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the fun atmosphere throughout the meeting and am eager to attend more in the future.

Lanie Bratz Meeting Synopsis Overall, I really enjoyed the meeting. I liked that the student and young professionals mingling event was at the beginning of the week, which gave us a chance to meet people that we could meet up with throughout the week. It was nice that nothing felt rushed; all the events and talks seemed to be a good length.

They weren’t too long where people would get bored/hungry, etc., and not too short where people would not get any benefits out of it. I think it would be fun if there were more vendors and/or the vendors changed each day to keep variety and more opportunity for connections.

There were plenty of opportunities to meet people, and I was able to meet a lot of people, but I still feel like it is intimidating to go up to a random person and spark a conversation as a young professional in a room of primarily middle-aged, seasoned professionals. It would be fun if there was a short event, such as a lunch or snack break, that sort of had a seating chart like a wedding that forced you to sit with random people. I feel like sometimes you don’t know who you would connect with, and a randomized seating chart could help with that. Also, maybe another free event/dinner that focuses on students and young professionals making connections with the more seasoned professionals would work for sparking these types of connections.

I really enjoyed all of the talks as well. The rooms did get a bit crowded at times and would get difficult to move around in, but I think that is hard to avoid. Overall, the talks were interesting and fairly easy to follow. The setup made everything easily accessible from any part of the rooms.

Maybe breaking up the themed topics into having a few of each a day rather than having 10+ a day could help break up the crowds and add more diversity to what is being talked about throughout the day.

Meeting Experience I had a lot of fun and learned a lot at this year’s Annual Meeting! I became aware of so many more potential career paths that I did not even know existed. I connected with many potential future employers from across the country and was able to have meaningful conversations about navigating the job market. It really motivated me to start thinking about how I can pursue a career that is also protective of human and environmental health.

I learned that engineering is not just all math and numbers. While math is a major element of engineering, there is also a lot of creative thinking and problem solving that goes Winter 2023

into it. If I had not attended this meeting, I would not have found out that engineering geology was such a multi-faceted career that I would be interested in potentially pursuing in the future. I learned about a ton of jobs that I never would have previously considered as a career path for myself because of the views I had of them in my mind. However, after talking with professionals in the field, my potential future career horizon has been broadened.

I also loved attending the various talks throughout the meeting. It was great to hear about projects that real working professionals work on every day. It’s easy as a recent graduate who is just starting out in the field to think that everyone older than me has their job nailed down and it’s easy every day, but listening to people talk about their jobs and the problems they have to solve each day was a great reminder that the jobs in this field are diverse and will always keep you on your toes, no matter how long you’ve been in the field.

Overall, I had a great time, and I can’t wait for the next one where I look forward to learning about even more jobs and all about the people who work them and the problems they work on fixing each day.

Aleigha Dollens I am a senior at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where my research is focused on electrical resistivity tomography along the Motagua Fault in Guatemala. This was my first time attending the AEG Annual Meeting, and the experience was like no other. I felt welcomed in every setting and feel that those in attendance were excited to hear about the research that I have been working on. Presenting my poster and getting feedback from others inspires me to continue my research as I pursue my master’s degree.

Not only did I get the opportunity to listen to talks from professionals in the engineering and geosciences fields, but I was also able to make connections with those in attendance. The Young at Heart event and the Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon were two of my favorite events at the meeting. At both events, I was able to meet with other geoscientists, discuss my research, and talk about the future of AEG. I believe that events that encourage young professionals to have a place in the community will help our organization grow and strive to be even better!

I also owe a huge thank you to those who helped sponsor my attendance at AEG this year. Without the student volunteering opportunities and having my travel funded by the SYPSC, this would not have been possible. I feel so grateful that AEG strives to make the annual meeting accessible to students, and I hope to continue to watch the number of AEG student members grow throughout the years. I plan to be back next year with more research to contribute to another great conference!

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A Committee orTechnical Working Group report in AEG News is the perfect way to generate interest in what your group is doing and get greater participation.

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – 2023–24 JAHNS LECTURER

2023–24 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer

Cynthia D. Palomares, PG, PE

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t the 2023 Annual Meeting in Portland, Cynthia Palomares received the Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Engineering Geology award.

AEG and the Engineering Geology Division of the Geological Society of America (GSA) jointly established this award in 1988 to commemorate Dr. Jahns’ profound influence on engineering geology and to promote student awareness of engineering geology through a series of annual lectures at academic institutions. The Jahns Distinguished Lecturer usually speaks at several AEG Chapter meetings over the course of the year.

Palomares earned BS and MS degrees in Engineering Geology from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

She is a licensed Professional Geologist and a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.

Palomares has more than thirty years of professional experience as both an engineering geologist and environmental engineer. From 2016 to 2020, she was an adjunct instructor within the Texas Engineering Extension Service at Texas A&M University, where she conducted training courses for environmental professionals for certification of Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. From 1993 to 2016, she was a project manager in the Industrial & Hazardous Waste (I&HW) Permits Section of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Austin. In addition, Palomares was a member of the Waste Permits Division Disaster Response Team and was also a project manager for RCRA Authorization rule projects that adopt EPA hazardous waste amendments into Texas Administrative Code regulations. Prior to joining the I&HW Permits Section, Palomares conducted technical reviews and processed applications for underground injection control (UIC) and in situ leachate uranium mining facilities in the UIC/Radioactive My goal Waste Section of the TCEQ. In 2016, she was recogis to visit at least nized for twenty-five years twenty colleges of service with the State or universities of Texas. Prior to employment with the TCEQ, during the one-year Palomares worked for Jahns Lectureship three years as a staff tenure. scientist for Westinghouse Hanford Company in Richland, Washington.

In 1986, Palomares joined AEG as a student member of the Lone Star Student Chapter at Texas A&M University. Her service to AEG includes the following positions: Lone Star Student Chapter Officer (1986–1990), Washington Section Field Trip Coordinator (1991–1993), Texas Section Board (2001– 2012), Shlemon Specialty Conference Chair on “Gulf Coast Subsidence and Sea-level Rise” (2010), Governance Committee member (2010–2012), Section/Chapter Support Committee

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Chair (2012–2018), AEG Strategic Planning Committee CoChair (2014–2016), DEI Committee member (2020–present), AEG Executive Council (2016-2021). Most notably, Palomares was the 2019–2020 AEG President, who successfully dealt with the dire consequences emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, she coordinated AEG’s hosting of an applied geoscience career discussion and virtual field trip at GSA’s 2023 meeting in Pittsburgh (see p. 23 of this issue).

Palomares received the Best Student Presentation award at the Texas Section 1990 Spring Meeting, the Floyd T. Johnston Outstanding Engineering Geologist award at the 2011 Texas Section Fall Meeting, and the Floyd T. Johnston Service award at the AEG 2022 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Palomares’ Jahns Lectureship Plans I am honored and humbled to be awarded the AEG/GSA Richard H. Jahns Lectureship for 2023–2024. While President of AEG in 2020, I planned to visit various AEG Chapters around the country to interact with professionals and students and to offer a technical presentation on Hazardous Waste Management. I was able to visit five Chapters before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in cancellation of any planned remaining visits.

Since I was unable to visit many of AEG’s Chapters, including Student Chapters, due to the pandemic, this will be a great

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – 2023–24 JAHNS LECTURER opportunity to promote engineering and environmental geology to practicing professionals and students (and finish the job I set out to do).

My planned presentations will give students an idea of what practicing in the applied geosciences entails and may help guide them on a specific path in the applied geosciences profession. In addition, these presentations may energize students to seek out an applied geosciences professional society to join.

Student members, and subsequent young professional geoscientists that are a member of a professional society are more likely to maintain successful long-term careers within the geosciences.

My goal is to visit at least twenty colleges or universities during the one-year Jahns Lectureship tenure. I would like to focus on both colleges or universities in areas where GSA and/or AEG local Chapters are located, so that I can then visit Chapter events as well as local colleges and universities. In addition, I plan to focus on visiting historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s), and predominately Hispanic and Native American colleges and universities, whether they offer a geology program or not.

At the end of my one-year tenure, I plan to provide a summary of my visits (location, audience, and perceived impact) to both AEG and GSA.

Available Presentations ■ Why Join a Professional Society? (15 minutes; may be combined with the DEI presentation) ■ Regulatory Requirements for Hazardous Waste Management Units and How These Requirements Are Applied to a Case Study in West Texas (45 minutes) ■ Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Overview or How to Stay Awake During HAZWOPER Training (40 minutes) ■ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Geosciences: What Can We Do? (20 minutes) ■ How Climate Change Impacts Infrastructure (45 minutes) Please email speaking requests to Cynthia Palomares at cynthiapalomarescon@gmail.com to schedule a presentation prior to September 2024.

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Deb Green’s First Novel to be Released in 2024

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EG member Deb Green (aka Geologist Writer) has authored her first novel—No More Empty Spaces, which will be released April 9, 2024.

Green’s website (https://www.geologistwriter.com) provides the following nutshell description of the 320-page novel: “Set in the remote and rugged Anatolian mountains of Turkey, a landscape rife with hazards, No More Empty Spaces is part-geological tale, part-travelogue, part-adventure, and partfamily saga—a gripping and heartrending debut about the forces we can control, and those we can’t.”

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Green is the recipient of the Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Engineering Geology Award (2018) and AEG’s Floyd T. Johnston Service Award (2005), and, with Jenn Bauer spearheaded the establishment of AEG’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Green is a writer, geologist, and sailor, as well as a bookseller and partner in Bookworks, an independent bookstore in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She lives near the Sandia Mountains in Placitas, New Mexico, and cruises the Salish Sea on her sailboat during the summers.

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – MEMORIALS

In Memoriam

Phyllis Steckel, RG Submitted by Anna Saindon and Greg Hempen

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ur dear, active AEG member, Phyllis Steckel, passed away July 26, 2023, in her hometown of Washington, Missouri. She died from unfortunate complications from a broken heel bone. Thankfully, Phyllis’s husband, Richard [also an AEG member], was able to be with her as she passed. Their son’s and daughter’s families live in other states.

Please consider honoring Phyllis with a donation to the AEG Foundation (AEGF). Help get Phyllis recognized on the AEGF Honor Roll, which requires accumulated AEGF donations in her name. Please make a direct donation to the AEGF in Phyllis Steckel’s name to any fund. Especially consider the Diversity Field Trip Grant or Diversity Scholarship Funds, or contribute to the AEGF in Phyllis Steckel’s name when you pay your AEG dues.

Phyllis was a faith-filled, insightful, industrious, motivating, persistent advocate for all that she understood was beneficial. She epitomized “think globally, act locally.” Her church and local civic activities were just as broad as her professional activities. After Richard’s retirement, the two of them together would be addressing their joint causes for the benefit of their local community, the state of Missouri, and the Central United States.

While Phyllis was born in St. Louis, Missouri, her family moved to California when she was young. She completed much of her schooling in California. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of California Davis in 1974. Phyllis met Richard while taking flying lessons from him

Phyllis with Anna Saindon at the rim of Kiluea during the 2016 AEG Annual Meeting in Kona, Hawaii.

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Phyllis and Rich Steckel at the 2016 AEG Annual Meeting in Kona, Hawaii.

in Concord, California. The two married and moved to Washington, Missouri in 1984. There they had two children, Nathan born in 1987 and Katherine born in 1989. Phyllis earned a Master’s degree in Natural Science from Southeast Missouri State University in 1992.

She worked in California for a geotechnical firm doing earthquake monitoring and supported geologic investigations in Utah for a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository. She worked for two different geotechnical engineering firms in the St. Louis area, and then worked as an earthquake awareness consultant for the New Madrid Seismic Zone studies with USGS. She was a member of the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission. Through her small firm, Earthquake Insight, LLC, she conducted with other professionals annual New Madrid Seismic Zone field trips to educate both professionals and the public for over twenty years. She was an active advocate for geoscience with state and federal lawmakers and their staffs, collateral professional organizations (insurance, equity, risk management, site selection, etc.), and the general public. She was an Enrichment Speaker aboard Viking Ocean Cruises (2019, 2023, and scheduled for 2024), addressing fifteen-plus topics within geoscience. Phyllis received the Otto Nuttli Achievement Award from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2022.

In her retirement, she continued to conduct annual New Madrid field trips and supported many institutions of higher learning with scholarships. Being one of the only women in the

AEG NEWS 66(5)

Winter 2023

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – MEMORIALS Geology department at UC-Davis in the 1970s, she was passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in STEM. Phyllis and Richard began two AEGF Scholarship Funds: The Diversity Field Trip Grant (for junior high and high schools conducting Geo-Field Trips) and the Diversity Scholarship (for minority geoscience undergraduate university students).

She was an active member of AEG; the Association of Missouri Geologists; Cadillac LaSalle Club of St. Louis; Geological Society of America; Missouri Geologists’ Consortium; Optimists Club of Washington, Missouri; and Peace Lutheran Church (where she played flute during services). She was also a fervent supporter of the arts, especially the performing arts at East Central College and the St. Louis Municipal Opera (Muny).

Phyllis held all the offices within the AEG St. Louis Chapter.

At most Chapter meetings you could find Phyllis and Richard greeting friends and introducing themselves to new attendees— especially students—to help them feel welcome. As part of her outreach to students and young professionals, Phyllis penned a recent AEG blog offering valuable advice on how to attend an AEG Chapter meeting. She was in the last two months of completing her second term as AEG Region 7 Director.

Readers may find more insights into Phyllis’ remarkable life, philosophy, and sense of humor in the Winter 2021 issue of AEG News (vol. 64, no. 5, pp. 18–21), which features a transcript of Acquisitions Editor Martha Whitney’s interview with Phyllis.

Phyllis examining a rock specimen

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION

GSA Connects 2023 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh

AEG Hosts Applied Geosciences Career Discussion and Virtual Field Trip Cynthia Palomares, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

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n October 14, 2023, in an effort to expose the Geological Society of America’s (GSA) “On To the Future” scholars (students and early-career professionals) to career possibilities in the applied geosciences, AEG hosted a career discussion and virtual field trip (VFT) during the GSA Connects 2023 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh. The VFT and career discussion targeted diverse scholars in GSA’s “On To the Future” program and was offered at no cost for OTF participants. In addition, a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant was awarded to AEG to fund travel costs for students to the GSA meeting, registration for the VFT, and a one-year membership to both GSA and AEG. AEG members presented a brief overview of applied geoscience careers in environmental and engineering geology focusing on geohazards and specifically on landslide hazards in southwestern Pennsylvania. The VFT explored the Interstate

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Route 79 and Toms Run Nature Reserve landslide areas (nine miles northwest of Pittsburgh). The field trip leader led participants through selected portions of the VFT with questions and discussion at the end of each trip segment. This Google Earthbased VFT had been prepared in lieu of the Pittsburgh Geological Society’s (PGS) in-person, 75th anniversary field trip scheduled for March 2020, which was canceled due to Covid 19. The in-person field trip was run first in April 2022, and the guidebook is available on the PGS publications webpage at https://pittsburghgeologicalsociety.org/pgs-field-guides.html.

Participants were provided electronic access to the PGS VFT and guidebook.

Due to the success of the geosciences career discussion and VFT, AEG plans to continue this effort next year and will offer a field trip to “On To the Future” scholars at the 2024 GSA meeting in Anaheim, California.

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NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION – MEMORIALS

In Memoriam

Paul B. DuMontelle (June 22, 1933 — June 22, 2023) Submitted by Christopher Stohr, Chicago Chapter Chair

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aul Bertrand DuMontelle was born June 22, 1933, in Kankakee, Illinois. He enrolled at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he met his wife Dollie Bridgewater, then pursued graduate studies at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He worked as field geologist for Lehigh Portland Cement Company out of Allentown, Pennsylvania. From 1957 to 1963, he worked for Homestake Mining Company out of Lead, South Dakota, as a stope geologist and in field exploration for gold, silver, copper, and uranium. These jobs took him to the Catskills in New York; St. Paul and Hastings, Minnesota; Egypt, Pennsylvania; and Hauber, Wyoming.

Paul started at the Illinois State Geological Survey in 1963 and retired in 1996. At the Survey, Paul was a very early user of computers for geologic mapping starting with main frames in 1968 for computer-calculated map projection tables and development of a computer-based mapping system for Illinois by 1970. He was one of the first at ISGS to purchase and use a desktop computer in the mid-1980s for which he received a lot of pushback as to what was he going to do with that! (It was for lab data!) In 1985, Paul used GIS with its multiple input layers to produce Seismic Enhancement Potential maps for a county showing overlays of land use and lifelines over estimated effects of how the near surface materials would enhance earthquake ground motions.

In the late 1970s, Paul was part of the ISGS group that compiled and contributed much of the data supplied to the state legislators concerning the need for a Mine Subsidence Insurance Program, which passed in 1979, making Illinois the second state in the nation to have such insurance. Paul continued documenting and instrumenting subsidence sites and conducting research and public outreach on coal mine subsidence. In the 1970s and 80s Paul used his previous exploration job experience to be the bedrock driller for several coal mine subsidence studies.

He was the Director (1985–1991) of the Illinois Mine Subsidence Research Program (IMSRP), which had researchers across the state documenting the characteristics and impact of coal mine subsidence on crop production and near surface groundwater. Much of the research was unique in the world and guided subsidence legislation in two countries. In 1990, the IMSRP was awarded an Environmental Achievement Award from the National Environmental Awards Council.

He was also active in mine backfilling, landslide documentation, material properties of coastal bluffs, environmental pollution site studies, hazardous-waste disposal sites and liners, many studies for siting of facilities, and engineering geology and land use relationships for planning. Paul was Geologist in Charge of the Earth Materials Technology Section before becoming head 24

of the Engineering Geology Section from 1979 to 1988. He was very active in the Chicago Chapter of AEG and heavily involved in the two Annual Meetings in Chicago as Chairman of Technical Program Committee for the 1991 34th meeting and helped plan the 1979 meeting.

Paul was actively involved with these professional organizations: SME, GSA, AEG, AIPG, Sigma Xi, Central US Earthquake Consortium. He was a Registered Geologist in Illinois, California, and Indiana. He was Coordinator for the Illinois Junior Academy of Science state competition for many years, was involved in Kiwanis and scouting, and was a local Creek Commissioner.

We will miss his ever-smiling presence and mentoring.

AEG NEWS 66(5)

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n o i t c e S l a i c Spe

Recap – AEG 66th Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon

Hazards Avoided, Premonition for Future Successes!

Mark Swank, 2023 AEG Annual Meeting Co-Chair

Mt. St. Helen’s Field Trip–photo by Visty Dalal

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or those of you who were not able to attend the AEG Annual Meeting in Portland this year, you missed an outstanding event filled with opportunities to interact with over 425 attendees. Although our original Portland meeting in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID pandemic, this misfortune allowed us even more time to plan our spectacular field trips, technical sessions and symposia, and social events. The meeting was held at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel, which is located across the street from Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River.

The meeting kicked off on Tuesday with three field courses: Landslides and Engineering Geology in the Columbia River Gorge; Living with Giant Landslides in Portland, Oregon; and Scoggins Dam Engineering Geology in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. No matter what the destination or topic, AEG field courses provide the perfect mix of learning, adventure, and meeting new people, and these field expeditions were filled to capacity. The infamously rainy Pacific Northwest cooperated 26

brilliantly, with sunny weather for the entire week and light showers waiting until the weekend!

The Icebreaker on Tuesday evening welcomed attendees and was followed by the Young at Heart Student/Professional gathering at the Portland State University Geology Department, a few minutes walk from the hotel and with generously donated vans and volunteer student drivers to chauffeur folks to and from.

Can you think of a more conducive environment for students, young professionals, and seasoned professionals to interact than at a university’s class and common space? A special thank you to Professor Scott Burns (Emeritus) and all the student volunteers he coaxed into helping, and for the wine from his cellar, which all contributed to making the event a huge success.

This year we took a different approach to Guest Tours, which have seen a general decline in attendance over the past decade-plus of Annual Meetings, and instead provided resources and help to coordinate and familiarize guests with the popular local attractions. Based on feedback, the guests appreciated the flexibility and options of the more self-guided tours.

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING HEADERRECAP HERE

Technical Sessions were well-attended.

A number of gatherings—both formal and informal— gave students, young professionals, and seasoned professionals the opportunity to interact before the meeting’s sessions.

The Opening Session started Wednesday morning with welcomes from AEG President Nate Saraceno and our two Co-Chairs Mark Swank and Mike Marshall, followed by our AEG Foundation and Scholarship Awardees. This year’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Scott Burns, wowed the crowd with his energy and knowledge of all things Oregon geology, and our State Geologist, Dr. Ruarri DayStirrat, updated us on the many happenings with our Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and the state of the practice. The AEG Outstanding Environmental & Engineering

Environmental – Portland Harbor Superfund Site, Geologic and Seismic Hazards (GASH) – Collecting Geologic Data for Assessment of Potential Hazards Using Multiple Surface and Subsurface Methods, Geophysics Techniques and Investigations Relevant to Dams and Levees, Post-Fire Debris Flows, Land Subsidence, Earthquakes and other Natural Hazards, Tunneling, Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA), Landslides, Environmental Topics, and Geomorphology.

One of our meeting’s highlights was our Special Event, Wine and Terroir with Scott Burns, held at the Oswego Hills Vineyard and Winery. Depending on your bus, the event started with an invocation by Dr. Burns on the connection between geology, soils, and wine, followed by a delicious buffet, and copious servings of the local vintages. Other highlights included the Annual Banquet, the Inclusion Luncheon, various meetings of the AEG working groups and committees, and meetings by the AEG Executive Council and Board of Directors. As a benefit to our exhibitors, we included many events within the exhibit hall to encourage foot traffic and booth visits: nightly drink tickets at a poster session Happy Hour event, open bar and passed appetizers during Thursday night’s poster reception, twice daily coffee and snack breaks, icebreaker reception, and exhibitor’s luncheon.

Keynote Speaker Scott Burns

Project Award this year was presented to the Columbia River Highway and State Trail (Presented by Doug Anderson (FHWAWFL), Matt Miller (FHWA-WFL), and Brent Black (Cornforth Consultants), for the revitalization of the historic Highway 30 paralleling I-84 between Portland and the Dalles. The Opening Session ended with presentations from the 2022–23 AEG/GSA Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Applied Geology, Vincent Cronin, and the incoming 2023–24 Jahns Lecturer Cynthia Palomares.

The technical program ran Wednesday through Friday and featured oral and poster presentations. Our technical sessions and symposia included topics on DEI, Dams and Levees, Winter 2023

Wine lovers were in heaven at our Special Event Wine and Terroir with Scott Burns at Oswego Vineyard a tranquil off-site setting.

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

2023 Annual Meeting by the Numbers 427 Total Registrants 328 Full Registrants 43 Single Day Registrants 20 Guests 36 Students 4 Field Courses 1 Special Event: Wine and Terroir with Scott Burns 30 Exhibitors 31 Sponsors 20 Technical Sessions Sarah Kalika and Nate Saraceno listen as Jennifer Bauer opens the AEG Inclusion Luncheon.

18 Poster Presentations 9 Countries represented (Canada, France, India, Italy, Japan, Oman, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States)

Nate Saraceno addresses the Executive Council and Board of Directors at AEG’s Corporate Business Meeting.

We closed out the Annual Meeting officially on Saturday with our fourth field trip: Mt St Helens – Highlights of the 1980 Eruption and Engineering Geology after the Event, again hosted by Scott Burns and Julien Waeber, along with the Board of Directors Meeting hosted at the hotel.

The Meeting Planning Committee worked tirelessly (or perhaps more on, then off, and on again) for over six years to organize this event from the initial proposal stage to its actual fruition. The committee overcame challenges including finding a suitable hotel in an attractive downtown location, adapting during the COVID pandemic, an unknown number of expected attendees post-pandemic, and changes to those participating on the Planning Committee. Despite these challenges, we greeted over 425 attendees, and overall feedback has been outstanding with participants able to socialize with colleagues, compare and contrast projects, and share research being conducted throughout the world.

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We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our exhibitors and numerous generous sponsors and most especially to the members of both our 2020 and 2023 Annual Meeting Planning Committee, combined as follows: General Chairs Mark Swank and Mike Marshall; Field Course Committee: Tim Shevlin, Orion George, Nick Farney, and Chris Humphrey; Finance Committee: Niall Henshaw and Mark Molinari; Guest Tours: Scott Braunsten; Outstanding E&EG Project: Javed Miandad; Poster Session: Chip Barnett; Publicity: Nora Utevsky and Chrissy Villeneuve; Sponsorships: John Sager; Special Event: Adam Reese and Jason Hinkle; Student Coordination: Rachel Pirot; Technical Session and Symposia: Nancy Calhoun, Darren Beckstrand, and Ruth Wilmoth; SYPSC: Morley Beckman and Rick Kolb; and the At-Large Supporters: Linda Mark, Jasmin Toro, Sarah Kalika, Julien Waeber, Jared Warner, and Matt Brunengo! We would also like to thank Sheri Maskow and Becky McWilliam at AEG Headquarters for all their support. A special Thank You goes to AEG’s Meeting Manager Heather Clark who just makes everything so easy for the rest of us. And finally, an additional thanks to Scott Burns for his contributions and donations and his volunteer students.

AEG NEWS 66(5)

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

Poster Winners

Field Course #1 Landslides & Engineering Geology in the Columbia River Gorge

One of the highlights of every Annual Meeting is the poster presentations. Congratulations to this year’s best.

FIRST PLACE – Aleigha Dollens

SECOND PLACE – Jessie Hiatt

Field Course #3 Scoggins Dam Engineering Geology in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

Visty Dalal at Field Course #3 Scoggins Dam Engineering Geology in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

THIRD PLACE – Justin Marchlewicz

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

Dorian Kuper

Jenn Bauer

Anna Saindon

Matt Miller from Western Federal Lands Division of FHWA

MEETING CO-CHAIRS – Above: Mike Marshall and Below: Mark Swank

OEEG Project Award: Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail (Historic US Route 30)

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AEG NEWS 66(5)

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

Isaac Pope, Gerry Stirewalt, and Beau Whitney (GASH TWG)

MemCom Co-Chair Visty Dalal and daughter Jasmine

Jason Buck and Maya Rose, SHN Consulting Geologists & Engineers

Greg Hempen, 50-year member

SCENES FROM AROUND THE MEETING

Geologic and Seismic Hazards session

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

l a i c e p The S nt Eve

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

AEG Past Presidents at the President’s Reception prior to the Annual Banquet

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

SCENES FROM THE ICE BREAKER

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HEADER 2023 ANNUAL HERE MEETING RECAP

THE 2023–24 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (L TO R): Secretary Mark Swank, Treasurer Paul Weaver, Vice President Renee Wawczak, President Sarah Kalika, and Past President Nate Saraceno.

SCENES FROM THE CORPORATE BUSINESS MEETING

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING HEADER RECAP HERE

Report on Field Course #4

Mount St. Helens– Highlights of the 1980 Eruption and Engineering Geology After the Event Jim Falls, CEG

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ount St. Helens erupted spectacularly on May 18, 1980, devastating 570 kilometer2 (220 mile2) of forest land, killing fifty-seven people, wreaking havoc on infrastructure along the Toutle River (pronounced “Tootle”) and shipping on the Columbia River. Fifty-one kilometers (31 miles) of SR 504 had to be rebuilt above the new valley floor. The new section traverses steep, complex volcanic terrain and was an engineering geologist’s dream, but a geotechnical engineer’s nightmare according to Dr. Scott Burns, who led the field course. The planning and route characterization started in 1985 and following the roadway’s completion in 1994, the project won several national awards, including AEG’s Outstanding Environmental & Engineering Geologic Project Award in 1998.

The studies for the final alignment required hundreds of test borings totaling 12 kilometers (almost 7.5 miles) in length, 275 test pits, and 6 kilometers (over 3.2 miles) of seismic refraction survey lines. At one point, a landslide 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet) wide developed below a significant roadway embankment a year after construction because of seasonally high groundwater. The slide threatened to propagate uphill into the roadway fill and required installation of a shear key within the slide using locally quarried rock. To increase its effectiveness, an earthen berm was constructed atop the shear key to increase the normal, slideresisting force on the shear key, which has held to this day.

The natural recovery of the region after the blast is being studied within the Mount St. Helens National Monument (created in 1982), but most of what one sees on the way there are trees that were replanted by the Weyerhaeuser Company. It turns out the ash contains many nutrients, and these trees are now about 12 meters (40 feet) tall. This field trip was especially important to me because my wife and I had flown over Mt. St. Helens as newlyweds in 1982 and were awed by the extent of the destruction caused by the eruption. The natural recovery within the National Monument is a true testament to nature’s resiliency.

The accompanying photos and their captions provide a summary of some of the field trip stops.

Stop 2: Sediment Retention Structure (SRS). The original outlet at location #1 was the first one of several intended to be used at progressively higher elevations over the forty-year planned design life of the structure. Heavy El Niño rains during 1996–1997 filled the structure to the top after only eight years, and the spillway at #2 is now the permanent outlet.

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Stop 2: Sediment Retention Structure

Stop 3: Faulted Lahar Deposits. Undifferentiated Holocene lahar deposits are exposed in a tall roadcut at this stop. Their exact age is unknown, but they are believed to be older than 2,500 ybp and are faulted in a down-to-the-east manner at several places in the roadcut.

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Stop 3: Faulted Lahar Deposits

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Stop 5: Hoffstadt Creek Bridge

Stop 6: Distal End of Debris Avalanche and Forest Learning Center Overlook. This view shows how much sediment has been mobilized by the Toutle River and delivered to the Sediment Retention Structure. It is steadily revegetating with grass and brush.

Stop 8: Castle Lake Viewpoint

Stop 5: Hoffstadt Creek Bridge. The far (eastern) end of the bridge is the edge of the tree blowdown zone. Trees just behind this overlook were scalded or killed. The bridge was used here because of an anticipated snow avalanche hazard from the barren slopes to the north (left) that never materialized. The newly planted trees grew quickly in the fertile soils, revegetating the slopes and eliminating the problem.

Stop 8: Castle Lake Viewpoint. Our first clear view of the mountain.

Stop 6: Distal End of Debris Avalanche

Stop 9: St. Helens Lava Dome from Coldwater Visitors Center

Stop 6: Forest Learning Center Overlook

Stop 9: St. Helens Lava Dome from Coldwater Visitors Center. The mountain is still active, and we had a good view of the new lava dome (blue outline) building inside the volcanic crater. Dr. Burns said it is about the same size as downtown Portland!

Stop 10: Coldwater Lake. A lobe of the debris avalanche from the eruption blocked North Coldwater Creek and created Coldwater Lake. The lake was expected to fill in a year and a half with rainwater and snowmelt, potentially overtopping and catastrophically eroding through the debris. This would have created an outburst flood that would have devastated the Toutle River valley again. An engineered outlet channel excavated through the debris into bedrock mitigated the issue and fixed 38

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING HEADER RECAP HERE the lake at its current level. Vegetation on the far side of the lake is growing on the surface of a large alluvial fan that developed once the Spirit Lake drainage tunnel was completed and the lake runoff mobilized debris avalanche deposits in South Coldwater Canyon. This was the end of the field trip. because the Johnson Visitor Center was cut off this past winter by a large debris flow in debris avalanche deposits within South Coldwater Canyon. The debris flow destroyed a bridge on the access road and temporarily plugged the drainage tunnel.

Stop 10: Coldwater Lake.

Field Course #2

Living with Giant Landslides in Portland, OR Standing on a landslide block of Sentinel Bluffs columnar basalt underneath the west end of Sellwood Bridge

On the headscarp of the Washington Park Reservoirs Landslide

Class photo in the Rose Garden on the Washington Park Reservoirs Landslide

Discussing mitigation of landslide movements at the Washington Park Reservoirs Landslide

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HEADER NEWS OFHERE THE PROFESSION

Virginia Geologist Certification Update

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R. Drew Thomas, CPG

he certification of geologists is under the continued threat of elimination in Virginia by the Governor’s policy on occupational regulation. During the 2023 General Assembly, a bill was introduced that called for the elimination of the certification of geologists in Virginia. It is expected that the legislation defeated in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly will be reintroduced in the upcoming 2024 legislative session.

Seizing on the support garnered during the 2023 General Assembly, a small group of geologists, the Virginia Geologist Workgroup (VGW), along with the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG), have banded together to pursue legislation that strengthens geology certification in the Commonwealth. The VGW has been meeting weekly since early April 2023 and has made significant progress towards achieving our goals. The group (AEG and VGW) has contracted with the law firm Williams Mullen to provide lobbying services through the 2024 Virginia General Assembly.

VGW and our lobbyist have had a successful meeting with the new Director of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation where we were able to discuss the importance of professional registration for the applied geology field. The VGW subsequently provided the Director with examples of where Virginia Certified Professional Geologists are cited in the Virginia Code and in local and state regulations, a comprehensive list of the tasks of a professional geologist, and a graph showing a steady increase in the population of Virginia Certified Professional Geologists over the eleven-year period from 2012 to 2023. The VGW also provided the Director with over twentyfive real-world examples where the services of Virginia Certified Professional Geologists were necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the environment.

Members of the VGW have tirelessly advocated for the geology profession within their professional circles. Members have attended local and national professional society meetings in addition to fringe organizations where parallel interests could be demonstrated and support gained.

Along with our friends at Williams Mullen, the VGW is currently drafting bill language for consideration during the 2024 General Assembly. The goals are to strengthen the definitions of a “Geologist” and the “Practice of geology” in the Virginia Code. At least one member of the House of Delegates has graciously agreed to introduce the bill on our behalf.

With the 2023 elections complete, the VGW will fully engage in our lobbying efforts by meeting with as many legislators as possible to educate them on the important role geologists play in the design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment, and the importance of licensure to ensuring a qualified geology workforce. This effort will continue through the end of the upcoming General Assembly session in March 2024.

The efforts of VGW do not come without costs. To date we have collected roughly fifty percent of our goal of $20,000.

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Without continued financial support, we will have to cease our lobbying efforts before the General Assembly convenes.

The VGW is seeking both private and corporate donations. The link below will take you to the webpage set up by AEG for VGW donations. https://www.aegweb.org/virginia-geologist-workgroup

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NEWS OF THE HEADER PROFESSION HERE

James F. Davis Seismic Safety Pioneer and Former California State Geologist Passes

J

ames Frazier “Jim” Davis passed on September 30, 2023, weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. Jim was born on Oct. 18, 1931, in Douds-Leando, Iowa, to John H. Davis and Edna Frazier Davis. Jim grew up in a special home in Sleepy Hollow, Virginia, where he enjoyed going to the Museum of Natural History in nearby Washington, DC. There he saw the dinosaur skeletons, which began his lifelong interest in geology and earth science. In 1953, Jim obtained his BS degree in geology from the University of Virginia, followed by MS (1956) and PhD (1965) degrees in geology from the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he also met the love of his life, Sally Ann (Buettner) Davis, whom he married on December 29, 1956.

Dr. Davis was an accomplished scientist and scholar, focusing on public policy. In 1961, he began his career in public service by joining the New York State Geological Survey as head of the Mineral Resources Program. He served as New York State Geologist from 1968 to 1978. Dr. Davis worked on the safety of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, just miles from New York City and seated on an earthquake fault. The plant was redesigned for safety using his geologic and seismic knowledge.

Dr. Davis began serving California as State Geologist on March 21, 1978. He undertook the implementation of California’s new Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). With staff, he designed the means of classifying mineral resources in areas of competing land uses. Dr. Davis also oversaw the establishment of mined-land reclamation standards and the state review of individual reclamation plans. In his capacity as State Geologist, Dr. Davis oversaw the seismic hazard activities of the Division of Mines and Geology (DMG), including the Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone Act, the Seismic Hazard Mapping Act, and the DMG reviews of seismic design parameters for public schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities. He served on several national science policy committees and authored numerous papers and abstracts on seismic policy issues. Dr. Davis was also in charge of design and oversight of DMG geologic mapping and geohazards programs. As Chair of the of the Earthquake Hazards Committee of the Governor’s Task Force on Earthquake Preparedness in the mid-1980s, Dr. Davis introduced the concept of earthquake scenarios portraying damage to lifelines and critical facilities associated with plausible future earthquakes in California’s urban areas. Dr. Davis retired from the California Geological Survey on June 30, 2003.

In 2005, in view of his dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of seismic safety in California, including major scientific contributions to emergency management, the California Earthquake Safety Foundation presented Dr. Davis with the Alfred E. Alquist Medal for Achievements in Earthquake Safety. In 2009,

Dr. Davis received the American Association of State Geologists’ Distinguished Service Award. In 2014, the American Geosciences Institute honored Dr. Davis as a scientist who advanced earthquake hazards preparedness and mitigation in the United States by awarding him the Ian Campbell Medal.

Dr. Davis believed the key to his success was to keep an open-minded approach to change and a willingness to keep learning. “Among the many things I’ve learned over the course of my career,” he said, “is that it’s important to have an ethical and intellectual interest and compulsion to see that science is wisely applied to public policy.”

Compiled from the California Geological Survey (www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/Pages/tributes/Jim_Davis.aspx), the Wisconsin State Journal (www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/madison/name/james-davisobituary?id=53292133), and other online sources.

Gravity for: Aquifer Studies Sink Hole Dectection Locating Undergr g ound Tanks a Vooids/Cavity Dectectiioon Finding Karst Hazarddss

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HEADER HERE CONTRIBUTION PROFESSIONAL

Increasing Enrollment of Underrepresented Students (URS) in STEM Education Dr. Visty P. Dalal, Adjunct Professor, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH Dr. Matthew H. Davis, Assistant Vice President, Wilmington University, Wilmington, DE Dr. Linda A. Hurlburt, Adjunct Professor, Wilmington University, Wilmington, DE (Retired) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 494 (National Science Foundation, 2014). n the 21st century, the exponential growth of Science, The United States score was lower than 21 other OECD Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and the countries and was not much different from the average corresponding critical need for STEM graduates in the professcores in previous PISA assessment years of 2003, 2006, sion have both outpaced the number of STEM graduates joining and 2009 (National Science Foundation, 2014). The most the workforce. This is a global problem, one to which the recent United States PISA rankings placed the United United States can relate. A literature review of States 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th research published across the world suggests The most out of 71 countries in science (Gunn, 2020). that disparities and biases in STEM education recent PISA In 1960, 1.1 million Americans worked in may be the fundamental problem limiting the rankings placed the science and engineering fields; in 2023, around enrollment of competent students in STEM United States 38th 10.8 million people are working in the same programs at higher education institutions. My fields, while the STEM employment numbers out of 71 countries doctoral dissertation research accomplished are projected to increase to 15 million by 2025 in math and 24th out two goals: determine that inherent biases (iDTech, 2023). In 2012, the median earning for of 71 countries exist in the enrollment process in STEM at a people working in STEM occupations was in science higher education institution in Maryland, and $78,270, twice as much for all United States (Gunn, 2020). secondly, provide an array of “STEM Intervention workers (National Science Foundation, 2014).

Practices” (SIPs) that could mitigate some of the Both the underperformance and the projected enrollment barriers underrepresented students (URS) growth of STEM jobs, indicate a dire need for increased attenencounter in their pursuit of STEM education. The case-specific tion to STEM education at United States higher education institusuggested SIPs should be instrumental in increasing enrollment tions (HEIs). In the 21st century, STEM education and jobs are in of URS in the STEM program at the Maryland institution, as well high demand for maintaining technological prowess in the everas be generally applicable to STEM programs at other higher growing competitive world driven by research and development education institutions (HEIs) in the country. Therefore, the “Maryin science and engineering (Dyer-Barr, 2014). The best way for land model” tested in reducing barriers for URS in STEM educathe United States to maintain its leadership position in the world tion will also be evaluated at other HEIs. with competition from other countries for innovation and development is by cultivating the dreams and aspirations of its high Introduction school and college students in STEM (Dyer-Barr, 2014). Currently, the opportunities to succeed in the STEM fields are In 2001, scientific administrators at the National Science Founrestricted to only a handful of individuals in society, while memdation (NSF) rearranged the acronym Science, Math, Engibers of underrepresented groups do not enjoy the same privineering, and Technology (SMET) to Science, Technology, leges to gain education and graduate in the STEM fields Engineering, and Math (STEM) to refer to the career fields in (Dyer-Barr, 2014). The barriers created by biases in gender, those disciplines that integrated knowledge and skills (Hallinen, race/ethnicity, and affluence prohibit academically proficient stu2020). As demonstrated by Trends in International Mathematics dents from entering the STEM fields and enjoying the benefits of and Science Study (TIMSS) and Programme for International a fast-growing profession in the world (Dyer-Barr, 2014).

Student Assessment (PISA), in their 2006 assessment of knowlThe PISA data show that education professionals edge and skills of 15-year-olds, the United States underperthroughout the United States need to revisit the STEM curformed on assessments of scientific competency and riculum and outcomes to examine why United States students knowledge and ranked 21st out of a panel of thirty countries of are lagging behind so many developed countries and how the the world (Hallinen, 2020). standard of STEM education can be upgraded (Hallinen, 2020).

In 2014, NSF reported that on the PISA math test in A literature review of research on biases and disparities in the 2012, the United States average score of 481 was below the

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AEG NEWS 66(5)

Winter 2023

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION HEADER HERE recruitment and retention of students in the STEM program at undergraduate colleges and universities has shown that academically qualified students encounter biases related to race/ethnicity, gender, and affluence (Dyer-Barr, 2014). These biases prevent students from gaining admission to STEM programs, and in some cases, students withdraw from the STEM program before graduating (Bottia et al., 2018; Lane et al., 2020; Patall et al., 2018).

The researcher initiated contact with the administration of a community college located in Maryland to identify whether such biases and disparities exist in their STEM program recruitment process. Preliminary information on the disparities in the STEM program at the college was collected from two sources: (a) communication with the Vice-President/Provost who volunteered information on the abovementioned deficiencies in the institution’s recruitment efforts in the STEM program, and (b) relevant information available on the institution’s portal on the National Center for Education Statistics website, which provided statistics on students’ enrollment and retention rates by gender, race/ethnicity, and affluence (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021). In addition, the college shared with the researcher the intervention programs undertaken by the college for non-STEM subjects, which highlighted the need for STEM Intervention Practices (SIPs) at the college.

offered in physical science and engineering include chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering science, mathematics, and physics.

Several research studies have shown that female students do not receive institutional and faculty guidance and support in enrolling and attending physical science and engineering classes like their male counterparts. Instead, female students find that they receive good encouragement and support from the faculty and guidance counselors in enrolling and attending social and biological science classes (Patall et al., 2018).

Biases in STEM Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity.

This research highlights some of the biases recognized in the enrollment for STEM students at the college. This section delineates biases in enrollment by race/ethnicity, regarding the effect this bias has on the URS. The following list provides a general trend in URS enrollment over thirteen semesters, from fall 2016 to fall 2022. In this research, male and female students from Black and Hispanic races/ethnicities as well as female students from White and Asian races are included under the Underrepresented Students (URS) category. Enrollment data on White and Asian students is included in this research for comparison purposes.

Overall Student Population on Campus:

Purpose of the Research

■

The purpose of the doctoral research was two-fold: 1. To investigate biases and disparities that cause systemic problems in the recruitment of URS in the STEM program at the college; and 2. To develop new SIPs for the college to resolve low URS recruitment problems in STEM. Initial communication with the college administration revealed that their STEM program regularly experiences low recruitment of URS. College administrators expressed interest in assisting in this research by providing access to their enrollment data and enabling conversations with the college staff and faculty. The college administration indicated that they would review the findings from this research and consider implementing the recommended SIPs. This will help the institution mitigate biases related to gender, race/ethnicity, and affluence in the recruitment of students in its STEM program.

The bottom-line organizational improvement goal of this research was to increase the number of URS participating in the college’s STEM program. Biases in race/ethnicity, gender, and affluence are hurdles in the admissions process that can lead to academically deserving students being left out of pursuing their dreams in the STEM fields. This research provided SIPs to the college to mitigate some of the abovementioned biases and, in the process, increase recruitment of URS in its STEM program.

STEM Program at the College The community college in Maryland is a two-year public institution, having an undergraduate student population of over 20,000, and offering associate degrees in arts and sciences and certificate programs in other majors. In STEM, the degrees Winter 2023

Average student population – 20,000/semester Average Black student population – 27% ■ Average Hispanic student population – 25% ■ Average White student population – 22% (students on-campus) ■ Average Asian student population – 12% (Combined Black & Hispanic – 52% – students on-campus) ■

In STEM Program: ■

Average STEM student population – 17% Average Black student population – 6.0% ■ Average Hispanic student population – 4.4% ■ Average White student population – 3.6% ■ Average Asian student population – 3.2% (Combined Black & Hispanic – 10% – students in STEM) ■

Biases in STEM Enrollment by Gender By gender, the STEM student population averaged 59 percent male (with a range of 55 to 63 percent) and 41 percent female (with a range of 37 to 45 percent). On average, the grade point average (GPA) was 2.15 for male STEM students (with a range of 1.8 to 2.5) and 2.35 for female STEM students. Female students excelled in the following STEM majors: biotechnology, computer science technology, information systems, mechanical/general engineering, general science, life, and environmental sciences.

Male students excelled in the STEM majors of civil, electrical, material, nuclear, and aeronautical engineering.

During the COVID-19 pandemic semesters, the female percentage of the STEM student population peaked while the male percentage reached its nadir. Also, both genders had relatively

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HEADER HERE CONTRIBUTION PROFESSIONAL higher GPAs during the pandemic. Several hypotheses have emerged to explain these trends during the pandemic, e.g., fewer distractions and social events while sequestered at home and spouses/partners caring for kids leading to more regular class attendance and longer study times.

Conclusions Disparities are seen on two fronts in the STEM program at the college: 1) low enrollment of URS in the STEM program, as compared to total student enrollment and the total URS enrollment; and 2) low enrollment of female students (all races/ethnicities) in the STEM program as compared to male students, over the 6-year (13-semesters) period.

The relatively high GPAs of female STEM students negates the general notion that female STEM students do not excel in physical science/engineering majors. In fact, they consistently supersede their male colleagues. Therefore, it is reasonable to extrapolate how well STEM programs would perform if female student enrollment was at the level of the male counterparts.

The researchers have compiled the following list of ‘STEM Intervention Practices’ (SIPs), which are designed to mitigate the race, gender, and affluence barriers in the STEM programs of HEIs.

(Short-term Implementation) 1. Summer Bridge Program for URS ■

Transitional program for low-income URS used to recruit, retain, and graduate students. Popular program known for its efficacy in providing adequate information in STEM to high school URS ■ Chance to learn about the STEM program, faculty, funding, future employment, etc.

■ Also provides info on campus classes/clubs/social events/other STEM activities ■ Including middle school as early intervention in STEM assists in decisions by families 2. Women in STEM Academy Supports, promotes, and inspires female college and highschool students interested in STEM education ■ Mentoring creates an interconnected community of supportive/informed members.

■ Speaker series/networking events/community outreach help develop knowledge and skills.

■ Program established can incorporate prospective female high-school students.

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Low numbers in low-income schools with disproportionately low STEM offerings ■ Counselors/advisors often steer Black students to classes in social work/sociology instead of STEM. ■ Provide a wide variety of class choices (including STEM) in middle/high schools to Black female students ■ Provide information, advice, and guidance on benefits of STEM education/professions 4. ‘InSTEP’ (Inquiry-based Science and Technology Enrichment Program) ■

Geared towards prospective young female students who show initiative to pursue STEM education in high schools and colleges ■ STEM educators in college and feeder middle/high schools in the county combine weekly efforts to educate/advise/guide the STEM program at the college.

■ Educators provide information on STEM majors, enrollment criteria, and funding.

5. Events with STEM Families (“familiar factor”) ■

STEM Intervention Practices

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3. Black Women in STEM

One of the most influential factors is the families’ introduction and knowledge of STEM. ■ The education of family/societal members of students is key to gaining access to students.

■ The ice-breaker events are good forerunners for future communication between groups.

6. Collaboration with external STEM stakeholders ■

A “win-win” situation for both academic and private/public STEM institutions ■ Stakeholders provide funding for STEM buildings/equipment/ staff-faculty training, etc.

■ STEM graduates gain employment with external STEM agencies like NASA, NSA, NIST, EPA, DOE, DOD, NOAA, etc.

■ Boeing Corporation provides funding to the aeronautical engineering department at Wichita State University in Kansas, and graduates from WSU are readily employed by Boeing.

STEM Intervention Practices (Long-term Implementation) 1. STEM Scholarships for High-school students ■

A major limiting factor for pursuing STEM education in college is the financial burden.

■ Partial/full scholarships/internships, grants, or assistantships will assist parents/students.

■ Collaboration between high schools/colleges in funding prospective STEM students ■ Colleges can apply for NSF grants enabling students to work with faculty. continued on page 44…

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PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION ■

2. Dual Enrollment Program in STEM ■

Colleges currently have “Early & Middle College” and “Jump Start” programs that could be expanded to include physical science and engineering classes in STEM education.

■ GPA requirements should be flexible so high-school students can take them.

■ From 2023, classes will be free for high-school students in Maryland, reducing college cost.

3. Succeeding in STEM Study Skills (‘S4 Program’) ■

Addresses how students learn to approach physical science/math/engineering subjects. This helps students remedy problems that they encounter.

■ College along with high-school educators can offer classes for free to STEM pathway students.

■ Classes will also assist in prerequisite classes in physical science and engineering.

■ Classes can be offered at high schools or colleges, to encourage STEM students.

4. Combined training between college and High School STEM Educators ■

High school may not have trained STEM educators or STEM lab/equipment/funding etc.

■ Collaboration between college and high-school educators leads to learning experiences for students.

■ From the literature, factors that influenced students’ experiences in high school STEM programs were: a) teacher influence, b) advanced curriculum, c) learning environment, d) ability grouping, e) self-efficacy and esteem, and f) guidance counseling.

5. ‘Educational Opportunity Fund’ (EOF) ■

The nation’s most comprehensive effort is to provide access to higher education to students who lack economic resources and academic preparations to attend college.

■ Provides career counseling/tutoring/financial aid/academic advisement, and transfer assistance.

■ EOF Summer Institute is a free summer program to complete developmental math/reading/writing or three college credits.

■ Colleges can apply for EOF to assist high-school students who lack resources.

■ The summer institute is good for URS to complete developmental courses.

6. Vias hacia la Graduacion (‘Pathways to Graduation’) ■

Offered through a Title V Grant, it increases communication/outreach/support for Hispanic students to promote steady connection with advisors, and strengthen academic performance and graduation potential.

Winter 2023

Summer Academy for Latin Leaders is a 5-week summer program for first-time college students. They complete a free one-credit online freshman seminar, and develop critical first-year academic survival skills, identity, and career goals.

The academy better prepares them for the fall semester.

■ 25% of the college’s student population is Hispanic, therefore the grant will be helpful.

Utility of STEM Research to AEG Most AEG members are scientists and engineers—STEM professionals! New AEG members will come from undergraduate and graduate STEM schools. New AEG New AEG members should come from all members races/ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic classes. The should come from diversity, equity, and inclusion all races/ethnicities, (DEI) process in STEM starts genders, and early in middle/high schools socio-economic where students need encouragement, education, and inforclasses. mation to choose STEM pathways.

URS and their families need financial support and mentorship/guidance to choose STEM education in higher education institutions. AEG members who teach colleges/universities can play a proactive part in communicating with students about the benefits of STEM education and professional opportunities for graduates.

The Jahns Distinguished Lecturer series should include middle/high schools in the tours to advocate for STEM education and future professional opportunities. On career days at grade schools, middle schools, and high schools, AEG should participate to educate/inform students about AEG as well as STEM education/professions.

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Bibliography Bottia, M. C., Stearns, E., Mickelson, R. A., & Moller, S. (2018). Boosting the numbers of STEM majors? The role of high schools with a STEM program.

Science Education, 102(1), 85–107. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21318.

Dyer-Barr, R. (2014). Research to practices: Identifying best practices for STEM intervention programs for URMs. Quality Approaches in Higher Education, 5(1). https://studylib.net/doc/8249112/research-to-practice—identifyingbest-practices-for-STEM. Gunn, J. (2020). The evolution of STEM and STEAM in the U.S. Resilient Educator. https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/evolution-ofstem-and-steam-in-the-united-states/.

Hallinen, J. (2020). STEM – education curriculum. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/STEM-education. iDTech. (January 20, 2023). The state of STEM education told through 26 stats.

Blog & News. https://www.idtech.com/blog/stem-education-statistics.

Lane, T. B., Morgan, K., & Lopez, M. M. (2020). A bridge between high school and college. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 22(1), 155–179. http://doi.org/10.1177/1521025117729824.

National Science Foundation (2014). How do U.S. 15-year-olds compare with students from other countries in math and science? https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/sei/edTool/data/highschool-08.html.

National Center for Education Statistics (2021). U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/.

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PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION Patall, E. A., Steingut, R. R., Freeman, J. L., Pituch, K. A., & Vasquez, A. C. (2018). Gender disparities in students’ motivational experiences in high school science classrooms. Science Education, 102(5), 951–977. http://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21461.

Visty has been affiliated with AEG since 2005 and is currently the Co-Chair of the Membership Committee (MemCom), as well as he is active in the SIC, DEIC, and Dams & Levees Technical Review committees.

About the Author Lead author Dr. Visty P. Dalal has been a Senior Engineering Geologist with the Maryland Dam Safety Program in Baltimore, Maryland, for the past 32 years. He oversees over 100 high-, significant-, and low-hazard dams in his role as a state regulator. In March 2023, Dr. Dalal successfully defended his doctoral dissertation research at Wilmington University, Deleware, on increasing the enrollment of underrepresented students in the STEM program at a Maryland community college. The article has been derived from his dissertation research which was guided by the research committee members Drs. Davis and Hurlburt.

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Chicago Chapter

Journal Co-Editor Needed AEG is seeking a co-editor for Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, a joint publication of AEG and the Geological Society of America.

The journal is published quarterly and hosted at GeoScience World (http://eeg.geoscienceworld.org/).

For more information, please contact AEG’s Publications Manager, Renee Wawczak, at VP@aegweb.org.

t n o r f e m o The H

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Patricia Bryan, Past Chair The Chicago Chapter hosted Vince Cronin, AEG’S 2022–23 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer, for our dinner meeting on September 5th. Dr. Cronin delivered his very informative talks Search for the Dog Valley Fault and How Can Engineering Geology Help Society Meet the Challenge of a Changing Climate?

During his swing through the Midwest/Chicago Chapter area, Dr. Cronin presented How Can Engineering Geology Help Society Meet the Challenge of a Changing Climate? at the University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, Northern Illinois University, Wheaton College, Purdue University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sarah Kalika, AEG’s 2023–24 President, provided a doubleheader evening at the October 17th dinner meeting and first spoke about the State of AEG (membership, financial summary, and volunteer opportunities). The AEG Executive Council has worked hard to shepherd AEG through the difficult COVID-19 years. Based on Sarah’s report, AEG has weathered these years well and is on track to be the professional organization for geologists in the future.

Next Sarah provided the students in the audience, as well as the seasoned professionals, a glimpse at the challenges and opportunities for environmental and engineering geologists in professional practice. Based on Sarah’s presentation, the need for geology practitioners is strong. It’s incumbent on all of us to keep informing the next generations of practitioners about the 46

AEG President Sarah Kalika was the speaker for the Chicago Chapter’s October meeting.

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New York-Philadelphia Chapter

The Chicago Chapter’s October meeting was held at Emmett’s Brewing Company in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Loren Lasky, Chapter Chair, Newsletter Editor The New York-Philadelphia Chapter capped off the spring season with a field trip on June 10, 2023, when two dozen members joined New Jersey Geologist Dr. Greg Herman for a brisk hike up Cushetunk Mountain. After climbing the steep walls of the Triassic intrusion encircling the Round Valley Reservoir, we appreciated the view and observed the mysterious stone cairns thought to be relicts of an earlier Native American culture.

myriad of opportunities awaiting future environmental and engineering geologists.

We also paid tribute to our dear friend and long-time Chicago Chapter member Bill Dixon, who passed away from cancer on September 6, 2023, at the age of 91. Bill served many years on the ASBOG Board as AEG’s representative. Bill was a fixture at our meetings for decades and will miss him.

Bill Dixon 1931–2023 And, we bid farewell to longtime Chicago Chapter member Paul DuMontelle, who passed on his 90th birthday in June 2023. Paul’s distinguished career at the Illinois State Geological Survey included leading the Engineering Geology Section. He was an active member of AEG and was instrumental in the 1991 Annual Meeting held in Chicago. He will be missed by all of us (see full memorial on page 24 of this issue).

The Chicago Chapter has an active meeting schedule through the end of 2023 with Dr. Sarah Dendy from the Department of Geology at University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign presenting Detrital Zircon provenance of Quaternary loess in Central North America and implications for pre-Wisconsin Episode Laurentide Ice Sheet distributions on November 7, 2023.

Professor Emeritus Roy Plotnik, PhD, University of IllinoisChicago, Invertebrate Paleobiology and Paleontology, Ecology will be presenting a fun and educational topic about Illinois’ beloved State Fossil the Tully monster on December 5th, 2023.

Lastly, planning for the AEG 2025 Annual Meeting in Chicago is underway. Interested in volunteering? Please contact Co-Chairs Sarah Kalika and Renee Wawczak. Their emails can be found in the AEG directory, or on page 3 of this publication in the Executive Council listing.

Fran Schultz in front of the scenic Round Valley Reservoir

NYP Officers (L to R) Loren Lasky, Chair, and Rose DeLorenzo, Past Chair, after hiking up the mountain

Winter 2023

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St. Louis Chapter Luke Ducey, Chapter Editor and Vice President On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, David Forseth presented a Redevelopment Case Study discussing how a standard due diligence project quickly turned into a HUD-required Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program project overseen by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The case study provided a brief background on the project and the initial due diligence required and then discussed how the project developed into a multi-agency environmental assessment and remediation project where communication and attention to small New York-Philadelphia crew at the top of Cushetunk Mountain, June 10, 2023 details was very important. The meeting was held at Schlafly Bankside in St. Charles, Missouri, and was attended by around twenty people including many students from Mizzou.

Alec Melone

Puget Sound Chapter

Our Chapter just had our November meeting in cooperation with the local ASCE Geoinstitute chapter with a presentation

by Ozgun Numanoglu of Schnabel Engineers (our sponsor for the meeting) speaking about his onsite work and analysis of the February earthquake in southern Turkey. It was a fascinating and informative presentation that sparked many in our audience to ask further questions on the next steps and larger applications of his work. We were also happy to have a number of students from Western Washington University in attendance looking to make connections in the industry. Our next meeting will not be until January, as we anticipate greater challenges in finding a date and venue with the approaching holidays, but we are eager to meet again in the new year.

Ozgun Numanoglu of Schnabel Engineers presents at the November meeting of the Puget Sound Chapter.

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David Forseth presenting at the St. Louis Chapter's September meeting

The AEG St. Louis Chapter and Geotechnology once again partnered to hold the Biannual Subsurface Exploration Student Workshop. This is an opportunity for students and early professionals to get hands-on experience doing laboratory soils testing, geophysical surveying, geotechnical logging, and environmental sampling. The event was held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The cost for the workshop was $15, and lunch was provided. This event was sponsored by Teklab, Inc. and EnviroStaff.

On October 18th, the St. Louis Chapter hosted AEG President Sarah Kalika on her Presidential Tour. She provided an update on the AEG organization and presented a talk titled What’s in that Soil? The event was hosted at the Terracon headquarters in Maryland Heights, Missouri, and was attended by about thirty people with a lot of new faces in the

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Winter 2023

THEHEADER HOMEFRONT HERE

St Louis Chapter/Geotechnology Student Workshops

Environmental Workshop

crowd! Thank you to Terracon for being the fall sponsor for the Chapter.

Sarah Kalika provided an update on AEG at the St. Louis Chapter’s October meeting.

On Tuesday, November 7th, Vince Cronin, the 2022–23 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer, gave a talk at Geotechnology’s headquarters in Maryland Heights titled How Can Engineering Geology Help Society Meet the Challenge of a Changing Climate? Vince Cronin is an emeritus professor of geoscience at Baylor University and editor of the 11th through the 13th editions of the AGI/NAGT Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology (Pearson).

Geophysics Workshop

Soils Lab Workshop

Vince Cronin discussing climate change at the St. Louis Chapter’s November meeting

Other STL Chapter News: Phyllis Steckel passed away on Wednesday July 25, 2023.

This is a terrible loss for AEG as a whole, as Phyllis was a tireless promoter of the geosciences, supporter of students in the industry, as well as a strong leader on the AEG Board of Directors and Sub-Committees. Phyllis and her husband Richard Steckel contributed significantly to the establishment of the AEG Foundation’s Diversity Field Trips Grant and Diversity Scholarship Fund, which are described on the Winter 2023

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HEADER THE HOMEFRONT HERE Foundation’s scholarships and grants webpage at https://aegfoundation.org/grant-scholarships/ (see a memorial to Phyllis on page 22 of this issue).

The St. Louis Chapter celebrated the retirement of Dr. J. David Rogers, Professor and Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Dr. Paco Gomez (professor at University of MissouriColumbia) is now serving as the Region 7 Director. Paco plans to help communication among the three Midwest Region Chapters (Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago) and AEG headquarters. Congratulations and thank you, Paco!

Luke Ducey of WSP and Dr. Paco Gomez both attended AEG’s 66th Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, in September and heard some amazing talks on tunneling, landslides, geotechnical exploration projects, and many more. They both enjoyed networking with other AEG Chapters, attending the field trips, and networking with other professionals from around the United States.

Lecturer is named after Richard Jahns, who taught at Cal Tech here in southern California.

Cal Tech was not the only local school to produce professionals in the applied geology field. Drs. Perry Elig and Martin Stout, hailing from California State University, Los Angeles, were early pioneers in the engineering geology discipline and the university had a vibrant Student Chapter. That Chapter had gone dormant over the years, and it is with great pleasure that I announce that the CSULA Student Chapter has been revitalized thanks to Dr. Barry Hibbs, who will serve as the faculty advisor, and several enthusiastic students who wish to continue the pride and heritage of practicing geologists in southern California. Dr Hibbs has been a great advocate for the local Chapter by regularly delivering talks and encouraging students to attend the Chapter meetings.

Another faculty advisor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Ernest Roumelis, is currently in the process of forming another Student Chapter. As I am an alumnus of both these great institutions, which emphasize hands-on learning, I am particularly proud!

Luke Ducey in the rose garden in the “City of Roses.”

Southern California Region Darrin Hasham, Region 2 Director The year 2023 has been great for Chapters within the Southern California Region. The Southern California Chapter elected new officers in May and has held several successful in-person meetings this year with presentation topics ranging from tunnel fires to hot-spring wetlands in the Salton Trough!

The Inland Empire Chapter is in the process of electing new officers, and the results of that election will be known on December 1st. On December 6th, the Inland Empire Chapter will hold its first in-person meeting since the Coronavirus caused the world to hibernate.

The legacy of the engineering geology discipline began in southern California, and the Southern California Chapter, or Section as it was called back in the old days, has had more than its share of engineering geology heavyweights. It was the failure of the Saint Francis Dam in southern California that brought the need to understand geology to the forefront of civil infrastructure engineering. The AEG/GSA Jahns Distinguished 50

L to R: Student member Tania Mejia; Director of AEG Region 2, Southern California Darrin Hasham; faculty advisor Dr. Barry Hibbs; and student members Maria Peralta, Jerusalem Miramontes, and Andrew Sunda, who have volunteered to be core student members of the newly revived Environmental and Engineering Geoscience Union at California State University, Los Angeles.

Attention Chapter Officers!

We Want Your HomeFront Submissions The HomeFront Section of the News is the best way to let membrs see what your Chapter is doing and to encourage them to attend get involved. Topics can include reports on meetings and speakers, social activities, community outreach events, and field trips. Let our members see how active and engaging your Chapter can be!

AEG NEWS 66(5)

Winter 2023

Call for Case Histories,Technical Notes, and Research Papers

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Instructions for Authors are in the Style Guide: https://aeg.memberclicks.net/assets/EEG/E%26EG%20Style%20Guide%20Jan%202022.pdf Instructions for Submitting Files: https://www.editorialmanager.com/eeg If you have questions, please contact a Co-Editor: Abdul Shakoor (ashakoor@kent.edu) or Eric Peterson (ewpeter@ilstu.edu).

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