With the bright outlook of a new year, the GSA Foundation is sincerely thankful for the generosity of our donors. Many GSA programs benefit from your support, and here are a few highlights from the last year.

Thanks to your contributions, the GSA Foundation was able to fund a record thirty J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarships. Helping students obtain vital field experience remains a passion of GSA Foundation donors. GSA organizational partner Brunton upped their contribution to match this increase in scholarships by providing thirty personalized, engraved Transit compasses to recipients.

The Foundation’s Spring campaign in 2022 focused on GSA’s On To the Future program, bringing students from underrepresented groups to their first GSA meeting by covering registration, a year’s membership, a travel stipend, and pairing with a one-to-one mentor. A longtime GSAF donor matched your contributions up to $10,000, a challenge this member has offered for several years in a row to bolster this important initiative. You responded with contributions that helped On To the Future recipients attend their first GSA Connects in 2022.

Each year, we work with donors to create a number of new funds that often support research grants or awards. An example of a less-common fund created in the past year is the Christopher I. and Irene N. Chalokwu Travel Grant for Students in Africa. This fund provides support for students in Africa, working on any aspect of African geology, to attend and present their research at GSA’s annual meeting. Dr. Chalokwu and his wife, Dr. Irene Chalokwu, provide an outstanding example of how individuals can create opportunity across geopolitical borders and realize impacts far beyond a single place or time.

Looking Ahead

Over the past several years, GSAF’s annual funding level to the Society has increased thanks to the kinds of generosity described above. Individuals, organizations, and companies recognize the need to help aspiring and established geoscientists pursue their work and make real contributions to the pressing challenges facing the world. The GSA Foundation Board of Trustees and staff are not only committed, but enthused, energized, and poised to develop even greater levels of support for GSA and its programs. We are eager to expand our work with GSA in identifying engaging and effective resource-building strategies; now is the time to explore new partnerships and expand avenues of funding. With your help, we will continue to shape a strong future for GSA and the geoscience community.

To discuss ways you can provide even greater support for GSA as we navigate new roads into evolving landscapes, we invite you to contact Debbie Marcinkowski at dmarcinkowski@geosociety.org or 303-357-1047.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended the University of Oklahoma’s Bartell Field Camp located in Cañon City, Colorado. We also took a ten-day regional trip to Vernal, Utah, and the Leadville region in Colorado.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

I was honored to have received the J. David Lowell Scholarship and represent the GSA during my field camp this past summer. With the reception of the scholarship, the heavy burden of field camp tuition and fees was relieved, and I could focus solely on completing field camp and starting my professional geoscience career.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Cold, brisk mountain air entered my lungs as I took a deep breath. I stood on my cabin’s porch looking out into the distance, witnessing the snow-covered peak of Pikes Peak and surrounding mountains. For three years, I often wondered whether I would actually get to field camp, especially during those heartbreaker courses such as igneous and metamorphic petrology or seismic exploration. But at that very moment, with the cold and silent air interrupted by Dr. Shannon Dulin driving the 4×4 by my cabin, I knew this was not a fever dream in the Youngblood Geological library, but I had really made it.

Field camp was not always so peaceful or fun as we slogged through rivers at 10,000 feet to study waterborne contaminants, or hiked miles struggling to understand and map the surrounding contacts. The challenge of field camp built resilience and confidence in ourselves while learning to work in teams. It taught us patience when our teams navigated conflicts and disagreements.

The immersion in field camp brought independence from the classroom that most of us sought after spending three years in lectures and labs with textbook after textbook. We were ready to test our skills and knowledge on real-world formations such as the Morrison and Dakota. The orange and engraved Brunton, generously provided by Brunton, came in handy as I took multiple strike and dips during our mapping in Grape Creek, and aided in confirming and disproving multiple hypotheses in the field. I became aware of the importance of clear notes, accurate sketches, and active thinking in the field to developing and then proving a theory. While I enjoyed being outdoors, hiking several miles a day, Bob and Carolyn’s cooking, and utilizing my geology education, it was being with my friends I cherished most.

The nights were often spent relaxing with friends on the porch discussing topics such as the NBA finals, plans for our off days, and goals for after graduation. Friendships and bonds were strengthened as we struggled and succeeded together through the five weeks at the Bartell Field Camp. Moments such as visiting the Royal Gorge, witnessing the fire-toned sunset on the main cabin’s deck, and being in the presence of friends whom I now call family are moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

As a geology student during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the valuable field trips were canceled or restricted to one outing for the semester. Valuable lessons often experienced in the field were lost to Zoom meetings, PowerPoints, and sometimes poor-quality YouTube videos. Field camp provided the opportunity to relearn these lessons and practice geoscience in the field instead of a virtual environment. While classwork and books can teach fundamentals such as rock identification or sedimentary structures, they do not convey the same experience when conducted in the field. Field camp provided exposure to geological features and challenges that required the combination of our strenuous prerequisites, books, and observations to solve them. There is simply no better substitution than active learning and application of geological skills in field camp.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

Field camp is critical for geoscience students in order to gather experience with real-world geological problems and features, while developing and expanding their skillset to better transition into their professional careers or graduate school. This is achieved through the immersion into field camp for several weeks where their skills, education, and confidence cannot only be tested, but also developed and grown with observation and leadership from the surrounding faculty.

Recent debates have argued whether the future geoscientist will still need field camp due to the increased use and reliance on technology in the geoscience field. However, future geoscientists will still need an in-person field camp. Geological problems and solutions are physical in nature; therefore, technology will never be a suitable sole solution. It is and will always be necessary to be “hands and nose on” with outcrops and other geological features to develop, confirm, or deny hypotheses. We can still use machine learning algorithms for better fault picking in seismic datasets and UAVs for mapping, but all geoscientists need an underlying respect for nature that technology cannot provide versus being surrounded by the sheer power the Earth holds. Being physically present at geological sites serves as a reminder to geologists of the power and history of our subject matter.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Attending field camp is not only required for most geoscience degrees, but it is also critical for the expansion of skills required for professional development in the geoscience industry. Further, field camp is often conducted during the summer over a period of weeks and does not allow for students to have internships or employment to aid in the costs of field camp. Without the generous support from the GSA and the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship, many geoscience students would not be able to afford to attend their field camps.

Where did you attend field camp?

Italy—we mapped in the regions of Marche, Umbria, and Tuscany.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

To me, receiving this scholarship meant that my previous work as a geologist (such as undergraduate research and internships) had paid off and allowed me to attend a class that was not only required for credit, but combined all of my previous geoscience education in a very tangible way.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

It taught me how the things that we learn in geoscience classes aren’t just words and pictures on a page—being able to see the structures and theories that I learned in real life (and during my first time ever leaving the United States!) allowed me to understand them on a much deeper level. Learning about faults and seeing them in front of you are two entirely different experiences. And although as a geophysicist, I won’t necessarily do field mapping specifically in the future, the general field experience taught me how to handle getting data and think like a geologist outside of a lab or classroom setting.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Educationally, the ability to combine things I had learned in structural geology, sedimentology, petrology, and many other classes was a great experience. Besides that, receiving scholarships for field camp meant that for the first time in my life, I could afford to go abroad.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I believe that it is very important and (as mentioned) combines things that you learn in many other classes. Fieldwork is something required in many subfields of geology, as well, so learning how to do science outside of a lab or classroom setting is important.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Because field camp is an important aspect of becoming a geologist. However, this can cause a financial barrier to many students and deter some from trying to become geologists. Therefore, supporting field camp scholarships and opportunities can break down this barrier and allow a wider range of students to pursue this field.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended The University of Akron field camp, which went to South Dakota and Wyoming.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

The J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship expanded the opportunities available to me. I was able to experience field camp without worrying about the financial burden. This scholarship enabled me to broaden my horizons both literally, and also academically.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Field camp allowed me to push myself to be a better student both in lectures and in the field. Becoming efficient at using a Brunton compass, identifying important rock units at a field site, and locating myself on a map are important skills that I will remember for the rest of my life. Likewise, I especially loved seeing deformed rocks up close and in person—the folded and faulted rocks reinforced my passion for structural geology! Undoubtedly, my field camp experience made me a better geologist and person—and allowed me to be curious about the geology of new places. Field camp also allowed me to push my own boundaries both physically and academically to understand the geological structures I saw in the field.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

By attending field camp, I was able to see geologic regions of the U.S. that I otherwise would not have seen. Likewise, the depth at which I was able to test my map, Brunton, and overall geologic skills was a unique experience that students typically only receive at field camp.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

Field camp is crucial for geoscience students. I thoroughly enjoyed my field camp experience and look back fondly on the fun memories I made. It challenged me in ways that traditional classroom learning had not. Field camp enabled me to see, map, and think about geologic structures and their histories in a depth beyond that achieved in a classroom.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp opportunities broaden students’ horizons in a variety of ways and positively impact their growth as young geoscientists. By getting into the field and putting the skills learned in traditional classrooms to test, students are able to understand the concepts better and grow academically and personally.

Where did you attend field camp?

Western Colorado University.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship meant I was able to dedicate more time to my education prior to field camp rather than working to pay tuition. Not having that financial obligation really allowed me to immerse myself in field camp. I was able to focus on the course instead of stressing about how I would pay for the cost of camp.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

This experience taught me a lot about what fieldwork really entails and how my classroom education connects to the real world. It strengthened my understanding of geology, field skills, and most importantly, the confidence I have in myself as a geologist.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Through field camp, I was able to get a deeper geologic understanding of field areas I have been to before briefly in class and explore new areas around my college town.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

In my opinion, field camp is crucial for geoscience students because it really does take everything you learn about during a lecture in class and connects them all. It gives students the opportunity to experience real fieldwork you would perform in a career, therefore giving students an idea of potential paths to take after graduation. Being out in the field mapping, recording data, and identifying rocks strengthens basic skills needed to be successful in the geoscience world.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Individuals should support field camp opportunities for students because it is a very transformative experience for all geoscience students. It prepares students for the next step after graduation. Field camp offers a type of education that cannot be taught in a classroom. I am thankful for the support I received to attend field camp, because it sparked a new level of love for geoscience and inspired me to further my educational opportunities post-graduation.

Where did you attend field camp?

This summer, I attended a field camp course with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) entitled “Depositional Systems of Western California.” The course focused on the nature of submarine sedimentary deposits, with particular emphasis on submarine canyon formation. We spent the first week at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where we were tasked with mapping and examining the stratigraphic cyclicity of sedimentary units, structures, and bedforms in the Paleocene Carmelo Formation. Two competing hypotheses have been used to model the conditions of deposition within this formation. The first suggests a prolonged period of mass transport leading to repeated layers of sandstone, mudstone, and shale. The second claims a shorter time frame of deposition and proposes that thrust faulting within the formation is leading to an overestimation of total formation thickness. Using our maps and observations, we took the time to put forth our own models that either critiqued or reinforced the two provided hypotheses. This approach to studying sedimentary stratigraphy required that we create a small research project and proposal from start to finish—a practice rarely implemented in classroom settings.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

When I applied for a field camp, I had just taken a job as a technician in a university research lab. As a recent college graduate, taking time from work for a $3,000 field course was a daunting endeavor. I had just started learning to manage my finances and live independently, all the while still hoping to get the field camp experience I never had in undergraduate due to COVID. The J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship relieved so much of this burden by providing me with funding to pay for a majority of the camp tuition fees. Moreover, I received a free Brunton compass, a very versatile (and expensive!) tool that was required for my field course. I felt very supported by the GSA Foundation and am so grateful for all that they contributed to my invaluable field camp experience.

What did that experience teach you about geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Like many geologists in my year, courses like sedimentary stratigraphy were only offered virtually. In this field camp, I got to explore shallow and deep marine stratigraphy in extensive detail and learn about all the nuances that exist in this unique field of study. Moreover, my professor’s background was in the oil industry, and we had the chance to learn about the fascinating connections between these marine deposits and the energy source that we all, often obliviously, thrive on. I attended a research university for undergrad where geoscience career paths in the private sector were rarely discussed. With this program, however, I had a chance to learn from someone with direct knowledge on the nature of industry-based geology careers and get advice on navigating job opportunities in both the private and public sectors. At the end of the course, our professor even took us on a tour of his alma mater, Stanford, to see their Earth Science building where we got to meet his old advisor. We gained insight into the graduate school process and learned about all the amazing research opportunities that lie ahead of us as geoscientists. These connections and lessons were invaluable, and I plan to take them into account during my own graduate school application process this coming fall.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

As a geophysics major during COVID, I had minimal opportunities to explore field geology in a guided, hands-on setting. More crucially, I was never able to become deeply engaged with my courses by discussing, questioning, and brainstorming ideas with my peers and professors. At my summer field camp with SDSMT, I gained access to all these benefits and more. The course was rigorous and emphasized not just proper field geology technique, but proper work ethic and organizational skills, which I consider to be just as valuable. As a California resident, I had the chance to meet students from across the United States. When we weren’t having late-night study sessions or debates about map interpretations, we were teaching each other about the geology and culture of our hometowns and regions. Even car rides to field sites were spent taking in words of wisdom from our incredible professor, a leading expert in his field of deep marine sedimentary systems. Months later, I still keep in touch with both the students and the professor from the course to talk about memories, send photos of rocks, and share news about upcoming professional development opportunities!

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

Upon graduating from college, I did not immediately intend to enroll in a summer field course at another institution. However, shortly after, I came across a quote by British geologist Herbert Harold Read, which said, “The best geologist is [the one] who has seen the most rocks.” I believe this line perfectly exemplifies the role that field camp plays for undergraduate geology students. It is the crux of our education as aspiring geoscientists. This is especially true for the many students who suffered through virtual education during the peak(s) of the pandemic. Semesters of online petrology, mineralogy, and field geology can only teach so much compared to in-person, on-the-ground observation. Field camp allows students to directly interact with their planet and observe the incredible phenomena that shape the ground under our feet. I recommend it to any student who is pursuing work in, or related to, geosciences.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

In addition to new limitations from the COVID-19 pandemic, greater awareness is being shed on the fact that traditional field camps appeal primarily to those with the economic and physical privileges that are not available to all students. Funding and scholarship opportunities, like the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship, are the essential first steps to creating a geoscience workforce that is integrated and diverse. Considering the role that field camp played for my own graduate and future professional career, it is of the utmost importance that such programs are equal access.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended field camp through Utah State University, combined with Weber State University. Our course took us to some pretty incredible places I wouldn’t have gone otherwise, near Moab, Utah; Utah’s west desert; southern Idaho; and other local areas.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship helped to ease some of the financial burden of having to take six weeks off work to attend camp. As a non-traditional student with a family, this helped tremendously! I am very grateful to have been the recipient of this award.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Field camp was a great experience for me! I learned so much about interpreting surficial and fault-related features, as well as mapping bedrock, faults, geomorphological features, and geological hazards. During the course, I learned that I love making maps and have a greater appreciation for geological mappers.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

During my field course, I learned from professionals in the field, obtaining experience I would not have gotten otherwise. Having the professors in the field helped me learn better ways of interpreting my geological surroundings. Working in pairs with other students allowed us to share our strengths and build on our individual weaknesses.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

The experiences gained at field camp are not easily gained in the classroom. You have to get out into the field and see the formations and features firsthand. A photograph or video cannot give you the same data you would gather sitting on an outcrop. Learning to take structural data and putting it into context with the outcrop really helps you understand the bigger picture.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp is costly and because of the time commitment involved, it is not possible to maintain a job during the course. Summer tuition assistance is also harder to obtain because you are unable to take other classes during this time, limiting the credit hours. For many students, receiving a scholarship could mean the ability to attend the course where they otherwise would not be able to.

Where did you attend field camp? 

I attended field camp through the University of Utah, in and around Salt Lake City, Utah.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

The generous J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship allowed me to focus on completing field camp instead of splitting my time and attention between field camp and work. Without this scholarship, I would have been unable to be so invested in my field camp, and my learning experience would have taken a backseat to monetary concerns.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

The University of Utah field camp hosts a variety of different geoscience students. My degree and my emphasis have focused specifically on mineralogy and paleontology, and due to that I often lacked a perspective other geoscience students had. Field camp taught me about several career paths I had never considered. Due to the work we did at field camp, I am now looking for a way to work in both paleontology and limestone caverns. I was surprised by just how much I found myself enamored with spending time within the crust of the Earth and I want to find a way to continue to experience that joy.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

We also had some mining engineering students in field camp and due to that, we did an exercise on evaluating the feasibility of placing a tunnel for a water pipe in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. I had no previous experience with geologic engineering, but I found the problem both instructive and fascinating. I had never given much thought to all the logistics involved in creating tunnels or mines. All I knew was that if you got enough explosives, eventually the rock would give way. Delving into the complexities of a field I didn’t understand was exhilarating as was listening to the deep passion the mining engineers had for their work.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think that field camp is extremely important for geoscience students. It pushed and expanded my horizons, opening interests I had never seen. Since it forces students of so many disciplines into proximity, it also allowed us to make connections across our fields. Being pushed into things I did not know was often uncomfortable, but I am so glad to have had the experience.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

At my university, field camp is required to receive a degree. However, many students delay it because of its considerable financial burden. College in general is expensive, but field camps are often structured in such a way that makes it near impossible to work during them. Worrying about financial concerns negatively impacts students’ performance in field camp. If I had been focused on the financial aspect of field camp, I would not have been so open to the new experiences I was privileged to have. Indeed, I may have even been upset about deviating from things I knew. Supporting field camp opportunities for students ensures that future geoscientists can work across disciplines. Science can no longer be done in a vacuum; it must be collaborative, and field camp is one of the first experiences many geoscience students have with collaboration.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended the Indiana University (IU) field camp in the Tobacco Root Mountains in southwest Montana. We also made field trips to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

I could not have afforded this opportunity without the support of the J. David Lowell scholarship. My school does not offer a field camp course, and as a non-IU student the course cost was substantial. As an added personal bonus, getting the J. David Lowell scholarship was a nice recognition of the hard work I’ve put into my studies prior to going to field camp.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

I can’t say enough about this, but the main takeaway for me was that a career in the geosciences was the right choice for me. I enjoyed every day, even the tough ones spent mapping in the rain or summer heat. Everything I got to do was interesting and set against the beautiful backdrop of the Montana mountains. I love how geology is a pragmatic combination of chemistry, physics, and history.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Field camp allowed me to see and study rock units and structures that do not exist where I live or will likely work (central North Carolina). The variations in terrain, unit facies, and fossil assemblages were awesome to work with and try to map accurately. Mapping is also something I probably wouldn’t have had a chance to do at my school (especially not at this scale), and I’m glad I got the opportunity. It’s a skill that I am glad I can say that I have going forward.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think field camp was the best course I’ve taken in my geologic studies. I learned as much, if not more, during those six weeks than I have the rest of the time. Labs that accompanied my other courses were helpful and informative, but very limited. I can’t say enough about how just the repetition of field camp helped, whether it was taking strikes and dips or identifying minerals and rock units in the field. At every outcrop I walked up to there was a chance that I was the first person to ever crack it open and look at it with a hand lens. Six weeks of learning and practicing those field skills was far more helpful than three hours once a week in a lab. Field camp also drove home for me the sheer scale of geology. It’s one thing to look at a fold on a map, but something entirely different to stand on top of a mountain and be able to see it with your eyes.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

I could not have afforded field camp without the J. David Lowell scholarship. The experience was transformative for me, and I hope to be able to support others that come behind me in the same way. Field camp was by far one of the most important things I’ve done in my quest to become a competent geologist.

Where did you attend field camp?

I participated in the Juneau Icefield Research Program in Juneau, Alaska.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

My receipt of this scholarship was recognition for all of the work that I put into school over the past five years. It gave me the opportunity to actually apply what I learned in college by being in the field for a few months and working with professors and other scientists on interesting geologic problems.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

I learned a lot about glaciology, geomorphology, climatology, and polar science. I also learned about what is required to live and work in polar regions as a scientist. It was not always easy, but I loved being there for the whole summer. It helped me determine what I actually wanted to do as a polar scientist by exposing me to a number of different topics, including some that I didn’t know I might be interested in. Also, this model of field camp was helpful for me as a recent graduate as I am thinking about my next steps in life, and it helped me determine what that might be moving forward.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Field camp helped me develop a large network of scientists with similar interests to my own who I will likely work with again in the future and will be a part of my professional network for my whole life. This network has already helped me as I start to think about graduate school. It also gave me the opportunity to get involved in more research and work on my science communication skills; for example, I was an author on an AGU poster for this fall, which was not something I expected to come out of participating in this field camp.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think that every student who wants to attend field camp should be given the opportunity to do so. It is a great life-changing experience that provided me with a number of resources and opportunities that I would not have normally had. Most importantly, I made a lot of friends which makes me feel more included in the geoscience community.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp is expensive—you have to pay for the program, travel, and equipment among other odds and ends. It adds up. In addition, due to the rigors of academic study, students are often not able to work or make money while they are in school, making these costs more of a burden. But given how important of an opportunity it is for students, . This is why I think that anyone who is able should support field camp costs.