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Contact Information:
Administrative Assistant:
Lori Clement
(970) 943-2015
 lclement@western.edu
Department Chair:
Dale Orth
(970) 943-3437
dorth@western.edu

Geology Program
Hurst Hall 128
Western State Colorado University
600 N. Adams St.
Gunnison, CO 81231

 

 

Geology Student Research

Bartleson-Prather Research Scholarships

In 1998 we first received a $10,000 donation from Paul Rady ('78) and Peter Dea ('76) ) to start a student summer research program. The Bartleson Prather Fund for Excellence in Geology provides a scholarship and research stipend for students who are between their junior and senior year. The stipend enables students to focus on geologic research for a summer without taking a financial beating. This fund has continued to grow since its inception and now has had over $105,000 of donations from 35 different WSCU geology alumni. If you or your company might be interested in contributing to the fund let us know.

The scholarships are competitive and are based upon research proposals written by sudents and reviewed by the geology faculty. Proposals are due in December at the end of the fall semster. When approved, the students have the spring semester to prepare for the summer field season and the following fall to compile needed maps and reports. As these are completed we will publish them on our web site. We encourage students to present the results of their research not only here at Western but at a professional meeting (GSA, AGU).

2010-2011 Research Scholars

  • James Haag (sponsored by Dave Marchetti), Stable isotope ratios of natural waters in the Gunnison Basin, Gunnison, Colorado
  • Jesse Pisel (sponsored by Rob Fillmore), Paleocurrent measurement and analysis of the Pennsylvanian-Permian Maroon Formation in Gunnison, Pitkin, Park and Eagle counties, Colorado to determine the presence of and acestral Sawatch uplift. Rocky Mountain GSA poster May 2012 (~26MB)
  • Jonathan Tree (sponsored by Allen Stork), Volcanology and emplacement of the 9-mile Hill volcano, Gunnison, Colorado. Rocky Mountain GSA poster May 2012 (~3.6MB)

2008-2009 Research Scholars

  • Tyler Patrick (sponsored by Dave Marchetti), Preliminary characterization of the hydrogeology of the Van Tuyl Ranch, Gunnison County, Colorado.

2007-2008 Research Scholars

  • Andrew Payton (sponsored by Dave Marchetti), The glacial geology of East Beckwith, Gunnison County, Colorado.

2006-2007 Research Scholars

  • Christopher Dorion (sponsored by Jim Coogan), Gravity field modeling of possible subsurface faults near Jack's Cabin, Gunnison County, Colorado.

2005-2006 Research Scholars

2002-2003 Research Scholars

  • Keri Nelson (sponsored by Rob Fillmore), The Elk Range Thrust system between Boston Peak and Cement Mountain, Gunnison County, Colorado. Final Report (~1Mb)

  • Monica Stoeber (sponsored by Rob Fillmore), The composition of modern Gunnison River Basin gravels, Gunnison County, Colorado. Final Report (~3Mb)

  • Andrew Wood (sponsored by Allen Stork), Petrologic study of Miocene lava flows on Flat Top Mountain, Gunnison County, Colorado.

2001-2002 Research Scholars

  • Jeff Jackson (sponsored by Allen Stork), Ash Stratigraphy in the Cochetopa Caldera Moat, Cochetopa Park, Saguache County, Colorado. Final Report (~1.5Mb)

2000-2001 Research Scholar

  • Drew Lockman (sponsored by Robert Fillmore), The Elk Mountain Thrust on Double Top and Cement Mountains, Gunnison County, Colorado

1999-2000 Research Scholars

  • Ryan Murphy (sponsored by Allen Stork), Mid Tertiary Intrusives of the West Elk Mountains, Gunnison County, Colorado. Abstract for GSA Denver Oct. 2000 - Final Report (~2MB)

  • Rebecca Thompson (sponsored by Robert Fillmore), Eocene (?) Telluride Conglomerate of the San Juan Mountains, Southwest Colorado.

1998-1999 Research Scholars

Thornton Research Projects

Geology students can also participate in the Thornton Biology Research Grants program through collaborative projects. This program funds biologically oriented research at Western State Colorado University and is made possible by a generous bequest from Mrs. Jessie Thornton and her husband, former Colorado Governor Dan Thornton. Student Research Scholarships of up to $2000 per year are awarded to students participating in research with Western faculty.