About

The Geology Department at WWU is committed to excellence in our teaching and research.  Our goal is to offer the highest possible quality education in the geological sciences at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We strive to create an inclusive environment to foster student excitement about discovery and the process of geologic inquiry. We want all students to develop an appreciation of how geological processes affect the earth and society so that they will be environmentally responsible, scientifically literate citizens. We produce majors with an interdisciplinary content background in geology and the physical sciences who are competent in the lab and field, who can work collaboratively, conduct original research, and communicate their results effectively.

Impact

For Give Day 2021, we have four particular areas of need and opportunity that we would appreciate support for.

The first is the Leslie Lathrop Lingley Memorial Fund. This is to honor the memory and accomplishments of Lesley Lingley (Geology BA, 1974), to promote gender equity in Geology by providing a summer research support stipend for undergraduate students, and to support travel by undergraduates to scientific meetings or other appropriate travel. This fund was established by initial generous gifts by Geology alumni Jimmy Diehl and Sue Beske-Diehl.

The next is the Geology Graduate Student Support fund. The purpose of this fund is to support research expenses for Geology MS thesis projects, and will greatly enhance the scope, sophistication, and opportunities for our MS students research work. The first $100,000 in gifts to the Geology Graduate Student Support Fund will be matched dollar for dollar by generous alumnus Ralph Keuler, ‘78, which will get this endowed fund off to a fantastic start!

Another opportunity is to grow the Robert and Bess Christman Scholarship.  This fund is established to honor the contributions and legacy of the Christmans to the academic and collegial environment at WWU and in the Bellingham community. The first $1000 in gifts will be generously matched by Maureen Christman!

Last, but not least, we would appreciate your help to grow the Geology Department General Needs fund. If you have enjoyed department-sponsored events at GSA and AGU meetings, other get-togethers, and would like to help us make the most of our students' experiences and opportunities at WWU, please give or give back to this fund. The first $2000 in gifts to the Department Fund will be matched dollar for dollar by a generous challenge donation by Lee Whitford, '01!

We also have a number of existing scholarship and activities funds that provide valuable aid to our students and our program. Any support you are able to give helps Geology students achieve their goals.