Educational Background

College education:

B.A. - Indiana University, Bloomington

Matriculated in 1977, graduated in 1981. Began my college career without a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. Was a liberal arts major until the end of my sophomore year when I "discovered" geology. Concluded my undergraduate college career with eight weeks at IU's geologic field camp in the Tobacco Root Mtns., Montana. Attending a large mid-western liberal arts college (Go Big 10!) was the most significant, mind-altering, fun-filled, and all around important experience of my young life.

M.S. - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Arrived in Carbondale in 1985 to pursue my masters degree after having taught community college for three years. Really had no idea what I wanted to study in geology, only that I was tired of the same old rut. During the first semester, I took a class in carbonate geology and discovered that it very nearly fit my notion of what my life's work ideally should be. My masters' thesis was on an upper Mississippian carbonate/siliciclastic unit in Illinois. My thesis advisor was Dr. George Fraunfelter, a palentologist/stratigrapher, who is now deceased. I defended my thesis in May, 1987.

Ph.D. - Indiana University, Bloomington

I loved IU as an undergraduate and its soft rock geology is rated #7 in the nation (in 1998) so you can probably see why I went back there for my Ph.D. in 1988. Only one of my classes was with a professor that I had had for a class as an undergraduate. Big department! Studied an upper Mississippian carbonate/siliciclastic unit that is genetically-related to the one I worked on for my masters research. My dissertation advisor was Dr. Brian D. Keith, a petroleum/carbonate geologist who works for the Indiana Geological Survey. I completed my dissertation in May of 1992.