Geology and Geography is saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Alan C. Donaldson, Emeritus Professor of Geology
The Department is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Alan C. Donaldson, Emeritus
Professor of Geology, and former Department Chairperson this week. Memorial services
are being planned and will be announced via this webpage.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Alan's name may be made to either
scholarship fund:
- Alan C. Donaldson Endowed Scholarship (https://give.wvu.edu/ecas-geologyandgeography; fund 3S686).
- Alan C. Donaldson Geology Graduate Student Scholarship. On the Giving page (https://give.wvu.edu/eberly) near the bottom is a “specify designation” link. Type in the fund number 3Z946.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.
Dr. Brent McCusker
Department Chair &
Professor of Geography
Department of Geology and Geography
He joined the WVU faculty in 1957 as a geology professor. In addition to his research interests in stratigraphy, he taught a large introductory geology class and stratigraphy/sedimentation classes for WVU students. In 1995, he partially retired as a professor emeritus of geology. For the next ten years until 2005, he continued teaching the introductory geology course for WVU students as well as organized and taught seminars/courses for the energy and environmental industries, commonly with support from other geologists During his 48-year career at WVU, he served 24 years as Chairman of the Geology and Geography Department between 1971 and 1995.
Research Spotlight
Mapping West Virginia
New research from
West Virginia University is transforming understanding of the Mountain
State’s famous landscape – and identifying ways to preserve it.
As WVU’s latest NSF CAREER Award winner, Assistant Professor of Geography
Aaron Maxwell will use big data to map what the surface of West Virginia
looked like over the last 60 years. The funding includes $636,785 over five years.
Mapping a Legacy: New Geography Endowment
After a 35-year career in the Department of Geology and Geography, Professor Emeritus Gregory Elmes aspires to give back to the university that has given him so much.
He and wife Jeanne (MM Music Performance, 1999) have established a planned gift, the Dr. Gregory and Mrs. Jeanne Elmes Geography Endowment, to support undergraduate geography students in their research endeavors.
WVU Geology Faculty Develops Virtual Lab
When the coronavirus began to spread around the world in early 2020,
West Virginia University Department of Geology and Geography's Graham Andrews
knew he needed to act fast. He already had 3D photography software and a drone
on hand for a volcanology research project. But with some quick thinking and the
help of five students, an idea was born -- a virtual geology lab.
News:
Events:
- 042121Transdisciplinary Research Colloquium: Timothy Chapin
- 041921Anti-Asian Racism During COVID-19
- 041621Global Challenges and Local Responses
- 041421Transdisciplinary Research Colloquium: Andrew Vosko
- 040921Guest Lecture by Benjamin Zephaniah
- 040721Climate Solutions for West Virginia
- 040721Transdisciplinary Research Colloquium: Jeanne Fair
- 040621Seedy Talks with Dr. Jonathan Hall: Hunting While Black
Student Spotlight
The Listening Project
West Virginia University
geography students, in collaboration with community leaders, are responding.
The Listening Project is a partnership between WVU’s Center for Resilient Communities
and West Virginia organizers, Amy Jo Hutchison and Jennifer Wells, that gathers
stories of strength and struggle as West Virginians seek to find solidarity in
uncertain times.
The Culture of Cooperation
Dina Hornbaker a farm manager for New Roots Community Farm in Fayetteville,
West Virginia talks about the life changing impact of geography. "I majored in
multidisciplinary studies in geography, Spanish and communication studies. I have
always enjoyed studying the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural
activities and the interdependence of all of these throughout the Earth."
Turning a Corner on Food Insecurity
Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective is a food hub that aggregates, sells and distributes locally grown and produced products across West Virginia. It is an initiative in WVU’s Center for Resilient Communities, which conducts community-based action research addressing Appalachia’s most pressing challenges.
As a graduate research assistant with Turnrow and online farms market manager for Sprouting Farms, geography master’s student Valerie Slone is putting her research into action.
Get involved.
Student Organizations
We offer several student organizations to help you make the most of of your education.
Internships
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
Selected students are awarded a $3,500 stipend for eight weeks of mentored research. An additional $2,000 is available for travel to a professional conference or for supplies.
