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On 28 November, #GivingTuesday, the GSA Foundation launches our year-end efforts to support field camp opportunities for students. You can help aspiring geoscientists attend field camp in 2024! Read about the life-changing experiences of previous student recipients on the Foundation blog with new stories posted weekly.

The Field Camp Scholarship program isn’t just about financial aid; it’s about kindling the fire of a promising future. It’s an investment in minds that will shape our understanding of Earth, our stewardship of its resources, and our ability to adapt to the challenges of an ever-changing world.

Your commitment to supporting the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Fund ensures that this fire continues to burn bright, nurturing talents that will shape the world we inhabit. Join us in erasing financial barriers, igniting possibilities, and uplifting the geoscientists of tomorrow! 

Make a gift of any size between Giving Tuesday and 31 December to help provide support for students to attend field camp in 2024.

 

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Alec Siurek in the field

Interview with Alec Siurek

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended field camp at the Judson Mead Indiana University Geologic Field Station out in the Tobacco Root Mountains of southwestern Montana.

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

For me, receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship meant that I was able to offset the cost of field camp by approximately 40%, and was the deciding factor for me in attending the IU Field Camp. Receiving this scholarship was huge for me, as it meant I was able to save a significant amount of the little money I make as a college student, and being able to attend field camp without the worry of having to pay back the loan I would have needed was a wonderful feeling.

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

My experience at field camp only solidified my desire to embed myself in the geosciences. The course at the IU Geologic Field Station challenged my skills in fieldwork, note-taking, and structural geology, which I was always excited to face. Field camp certainly taught me how to take proper notes in the field, how to read the lithology of an area and use it in a more regional context, and overall gave me the necessary foundation to be a good field geologist. Field camp was tough, both physically and mentally challenging, but it was a challenge that got me out of my bunk every morning, as I found every day brought new experiences that I find myself missing more and more as time goes on. As for my career, I would love to continue research, especially in a place such as southwest Montana with its pristine exposures of rock and fascinating geological history. As of right now, I am torn between going on to get my Master’s degree and work with my state’s geologic survey, or getting my Ph.D. and teaching, as I have found that I love to help others to appreciate the wonders of the geosciences as I do.

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

Attending field camp provided me with a way to prove to myself that my skills as a geologist are as sharp as they can be. Coming from northwest Indiana where the tallest feature around is Holocene sand dunes and overall lacking any good exposures of bedrock, getting to attend field camp in Montana was a unique experience that gave me more classical training than any field camp locally would have provided for me.

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

I think that field camp is absolutely necessary for geoscience students. While departments may make field camp attendance a requirement, I believe that it is necessary because of the experience that it gives you. Everyone in the geosciences always talks about how great of an experience field camp is and how life-changing it is, and after attending myself I couldn’t agree more with them.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Simply put, when you support field camp opportunities for students, you are supporting the next generation of geoscientists that will go on to do extraordinary things in their careers, especially in a time when understanding our interactions and impacts on our planet is crucial. Supporting field camp opportunities for students provides them with an incredible experience while helping to make this experience much more affordable.

 

As the sun sets on yet another day in the field, aspiring geoscientists gather around, sharing stories, discoveries, and dreams. They’re not just participants; they’re torchbearers for the future of geology. For many geologists, field camp is more than just an important educational journey. The boots-on-the-ground experience, where theoretical knowledge becomes tangible reality, catalyzes a profound transformation. Aspiring geoscientists immerse themselves in the terrain, meticulously observing, collecting data, and interpreting geologic features. This hands-on engagement is where academic pursuits fuse with field skills, forging experts who can navigate between their training and the untamed Earth.

This isn’t just an academic exercise; it’s an immersive experience in geological education—the field camp. For generations, this capstone venture has sculpted geologists, melding classroom theories with real-world encounters. However, as the cost of participation steadily rises, generous supporters of The Geological Society of America Foundation (GSAF) step in, ensuring that passionate learners are able to take advantage of these formative experiences. Here’s why supporting the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship program through GSAF is crucial.

BREAKING BARRIERS, FOSTERING DREAMS

Despite its undeniable value, the cost of attending field camp continues to grow, placing a barrier before many deserving scientists. The J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Fund stands as a testament to the geoscience community’s dedication to developing the future of the geosciences. The ripple effect of this support extends beyond the classroom and the field, cultivating a new generation of analytical thinkers and problem solvers.

PIONEERING TOMORROW’S EXPERTS

The numbers speak volumes. Over the past decade, GSA has enabled nearly 200 students to partake in field camp experiences that might otherwise have been beyond their reach. Each individual with this opportunity brings unique perspectives, diverse narratives, and fresh ideas to the geoscience table. This rich tapestry of minds fuels innovation and fuels the evolution of the field itself.

Supporting the Field Camp Scholarship program isn’t just about financial aid; it’s about kindling the fire of a promising future. It’s an investment in minds that will shape our understanding of Earth, our stewardship of its resources, and our ability to adapt to the challenges of an ever-changing world.

Your commitment to supporting the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Fund ensures that this fire continues to burn bright, nurturing talents that will shape the world we inhabit. Join us in erasing financial barriers, igniting possibilities, and sculpting the geoscientists of tomorrow! Learn more by visiting gsa-foundation.org/fund/field-camp-opportunities/ or contacting Debbie Marcinkowski at dmarcinkowski@geosociety.org.

 

Left: Mable Hagans, 2022. Right: Alina Hernandez, 2021. J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Recipients.


Mable Hagans in the fieldAlina Hernandez in the field

Sydney Cloutier at GSA Connects 2022Sydney Cloutier made invaluable connections at the GSA Connects meeting that have the potential to launch her career post-graduation as a result of her participation in the OTF program.

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

The funding was a significant aspect of my OTF experience, as without that, I would not have been able to attend GSA Connects. At the meeting, the program offerings that GSA ran for us were incredibly impactful for me. I was exposed to a vast number of awards and internships that I otherwise wouldn’t have known of and was presented with in-depth information on topics such as the [NSF] GRFP, which I will be applying for in the fall. I also had the chance to speak with a representative for NASA, which is where I hope to work in the future. Additionally, through the OTF programs, I met with a representative from ASBOG, who helped me to begin designing a course for undergraduate seniors and graduate students to prepare for the Fundamentals of Geology exam at the University of Miami. I also found out that my school’s Sigma Gamma Epsilon (Earth Science Honor Society) chapter is currently inactive, despite us holding meetings. Representatives of SGE were able to aid me in the reactivation of our chapter.

What do you remember most from GSA 2022?

One day, I decided to walk to a sandwich shop for lunch. I got lost along the way and did an extra lap around the block. Unbeknownst to be, that delay placed me right in front of a planetary geology graduate student in line. When it came time to place my order, the graduate student overheard the cashier asking me what field of geology I wanted to pursue. After ordering, he asked to sit with me, seeing as how all the tables were full, and I was able to form a great connection and pick his brain about graduate school. I also want to study planetary geology, and it turned out that the school he was attending is my first-choice school. It was an incredible and bizarre experience, but one I won’t forget. I feel that it speaks volumes about the impact GSA can have on our lives and the opportunities that can present themselves at the conference if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone.

What was your mentorship experience like? Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

I ended up not getting much of an opportunity to connect with my mentor. That said, I would love to return as a mentor one day. I feel that a lot of aspects of the field of geology are very word of mouth. It’s hard to understand what grad schools, employers, and award committees are looking for if you aren’t in the know. Once I enter grad school and gain some experience, I want to become a mentor for GSA. I know how hard it is to figure everything out for yourself, so I want to pass my knowledge and expertise down to the future generation of geologists.

Why should donors support programs like OTF?

Donors should support OTF because it provides the next generation of geoscientists a chance to jumpstart their careers and education in a setting that otherwise may not be feasible for them. Attending GSA can be costly, particularly for full-time students. Donating what may seem like an insignificant amount can ultimately be the start of a young geoscientist’s career. Supporting us supports the future of geology.

 

Shad Ashton at Angels Landing, ZionAt GSA Connects 2022, Shad Ashton had the opportunity to hear from professionals in the geosciences and bolter his conviction that a successful career was within his reach.

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

I really appreciated the Saturday workshop where we were able to hear our mentors’ stories. When I think about people that have been in their careers for a while, I mostly think about the success that got them there. Many people don’t like to talk about their struggles or how they have made it this far in their careers. I appreciated the humility it took for our presenters to be willing to share with us their struggles and to remind us that everyone struggles with one thing or another. Even though the experiences were diverse, I was able to link an experience that happened to me among the ones that they were willing to share.

What do you remember most from GSA 2022?

I remember the friendliness of people that attended. They were willing to connect with me and help me feel more comfortable. Even though it was busy with people trying to get to and from lectures they would stop to help point someone in the direction of a classroom that they were looking for. I loved how much authors of projects embraced their work and shared as much as they could about the project that they were currently working on and/or just finished. It helped me feel more comfortable and willing to listen when those authors were enthusiastic. I also remember some of those authors pointing out certain booths for organizations or schools that could potentially help me further deepen my knowledge and skills on the subject.

What was your mentorship experience like? Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

At the time, my current supervisor was willing to reach out to a past colleague and have me email her before the conference to set up a time to meet at the conference. I was able to meet my mentor and she was willing to give me input on questions I asked for my career of what I could pursue and what lectures may interest me at GSA. She was also able to introduce me to a colleague or two. Which helped me build me network. I would consider returning to serve as a mentor at GSA and help others to build their skills, network, and confidence in their professions.

 

For Sarah Genet, matching with her OTF mentor led to a greater network of contacts and interest in a future in the geosciences.

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

The mentor I was matched with through the OTF program. I was able to meet many of her colleagues, and I built a professional relationship that went deeper than general networking with someone in the professional field that I was interested in. This was also what was most memorable from my GSA 2022 experience.

What was your mentorship experience like? Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

I was very happy with my mentorship experience. My mentor shared so many contacts with me and introduced me into the network of the field I was interested in, which affirmed my interest and dedication to pursue that realm in my professional career. I would definitely consider returning to serve as a mentor so that I would also be able to make an impact on a young student in the geosciences, too.

Why should donors support programs like OTF?

Donors should support OTF and other related programs because it allows students who would otherwise not be able to attend the conference due to funding issues, which was the case for myself.

 

The OTF program gave Sabrina Lanker an opportunity to build her network and future that is still paying dividends for her today.

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

The most impactful aspects were definitely attending a Division meeting and meeting with my mentor. I met a professor in the Division meeting that I am hoping to work with for grad school and we have been in contact still!

What do you remember most from GSA 2022?

I remember making my life map including where I came from, where I am now, and my future goals. This was a super reflective exercise for me and it made me feel so proud of where I came from and where I am now. I was almost brought to tears when I presented my map to my group. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.

What was your mentorship experience like? Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

My mentor was amazing! We met at the conference and went to dinner, where we talked about everything from grad school to navigating relationships and family life with a career in science. She really inspired me and made me want to pursue a career in geosciences. I would definitely consider being a mentor in the future.

Why should donors support programs like OTF?

Donors should support this program because it allows people who would otherwise not be able to attend a conference to attend, network, and unlock future opportunities.

 

For Rowann Remie, the OTF program helped give her a sense of belonging and ideas for pathways to a career in the geosciences.Rowann Remie at graduation

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

The most impactful aspect of my OTF experience was the Black in Geosciences meetup. Getting together with other BI/POC who have successful completed their degree to become geoscience professionals in the public and private sector as well as in academia was very inspiring. The attendees provided insightful advice that served as encouragement for me at a point where I was approaching the end of my undergraduate studies, and contemplating what my next steps would be. Before attending, I was somewhat anxious about my capacity to thrive outside of the classroom setting once I’ve finished school. The opportunity to speak with others who were pursuing graduate and doctoral studies, to hear about their background, research, and ambitions was rather reassuring.

What do you remember most from GSA 2022?

I remember the social interactions and connections from participating in OTF. It gave me a sense of belonging; I think because this was the very first conference I ever attended. It felt surreal being surrounded by people who were as excited as I am about geology. I had an opportunity to network with peers, attend lectures about the fields that I am particularly interested in, and to learn about the kinds of research that students as well as professional geologists are performing.

What was your mentorship experience like?

The mentorship experience helped me to realize that everyone’s journey is unique. In particular, the interactions when I attended the Women in Geology presentation and listened to the stories about how they became successful in their field were very encouraging. What stood out to me is that there is really “no absolute or right way” to begin a geoscience career. For the most part it could depend on luck, networking, taking a chance to be open to new work experiences, or even stepping outside the field that appeals to you the most. Success comes with much uncertainty and is driven mostly by the individual and their ambition and drive.

Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

I am only in my first year of graduate studies so I don’t think that I have the experience necessary to be a mentor yet, but when I am at that stage in my life when I think that someone could benefit from hearing my story, I would definitely step up. When I set out 10 years ago to obtain my B.Sc., I didn’t know how the journey would go or where it would take me. Looking back, I am pleased that I have been able to achieve this goal and graduated with my B.Sc.–Geoscience in December 2022. As evidenced by my non-traditional pathway, I would just like to reinforce the idea that it’s never too late to follow your dreams if you just keep working at it.

Why should donors support programs like OTF?

Without an OTF sponsorship, I would not have been able to attend GSA 2022, so I would ask donors to support programs like OTF. For many students and early career professionals, it presents an opportunity to learn from others, network, and make connections that can be of future benefit. Whether you are considering further studies or research and looking to find a school that might be a good fit or discovering what others in the field are doing, you can create those links by attending conferences. If you’re trying to decide on a career or academic pathway, you can network with others in the field. You can also discover new equipment and technology that is being developed and could be useful tools for your research. However, you need to be there for this to happen and that is why OTF grants are important. For OTF participants like me, attending GSA is a life-changing opportunity, which is only made possible through the generosity of the donors.

I want to say thank you to the GSA OTF and the GSA Foundation for making it possible for students like myself to attend and to have such a remarkable experience at GSA Connects.

 

Norely Faz attended GSA Connects as a non-geology major but still found connection and professional inspiration with the help of the OTF program.

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

The most impactful aspect of my OTF experience was being around my peers in similar fields of interest. Seeing the amazing research being conducted made me fully realize that my future is within my grasp.

What do you remember most from GSA 2022?

I remember getting to the conference center every day and attending presentations in diverse fields of geoscience.

What was your mentorship experience like? Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

My mentor was an extremely nice person. I felt a bit left out during the GSA conference as I’m not a geology major, but my mentor made sure to introduce me to others within my area of interest. I would definitely consider returning to serve as a mentor. OTF has encouraged me to actively mentor those around me. I have always enjoyed helping others in positions that I once was in and can only see this desire increasing.

Why should donors support programs like OTF?

Honestly, without OTF I am not sure how confident I would be in my research. This was my first conference and it made me feel stronger in my expertise. I am now better prepared for my future and hope that this program continues so that others might experience similar things.

 

Michaela Galarza taking notes in the fieldBefore the GSA Connects conference in Denver, I felt slightly aloof from the world of geosciences. My professors, mentors, and classmates are all wonderful people who are hugely successful in their pursuits; however, I felt like I did not completely belong as a person more interested in environmental science. On Saturday at 8 AM, I sat in a large conference room surrounded by students from all over the world with different life experiences. We spent the day sharing our “pathways,” a term I had never considered before. As a soon-to-graduate senior, I had been unclear about the path to take that would help me land where my interests could do the most good. Through the On To the Future workshop and attending GSA 2022, I came to understand that there can be many pathways to success. I heard about people’s unconventional stories and about their disparate pathways, ones that started long before college and were filled with triumphs and hardship.

While my story is unique in its own right, I heard stories that day during the conference that were filled with far more hardship and heartbreak than I have experienced, but even more often, I heard stories of amazing resilience. I do not believe that it negates my challenges to acknowledge those of others. We are all unique and have unique experiences that are drivers of our journeys. I believe we have a responsibility to create spaces that allow us to hear and learn from the stories of others. Diversity in opinion and experience enriches the outcome of any pursuit. While my pathway is still being forged, I now feel much more at home in the STEM field than I did prior to that conference, and am enjoying the opportunity to share with others my interest in geology and the environment.

I am proud of my pathway and very much appreciate those who have influenced me as I continue my education in the environmental sciences. Through mentorship at the GSA conference, I made the decision to apply to graduate school. As a graduate student, I hope to find situations, like the OTF workshop, where diversity of thought and experience is appreciated. People come to science from all walks of life, and that is likely why science has made the amazing strides it has in the past hundred years. Where my path eventually takes me I do not know, but what attending GSA 2022 has taught me will be there with me wherever I land.

 

Meryssa Piper in the fieldMeryssa found meaningful exchanges in opportunities such as the mentor relationship provided by OTF.

What was the most impactful aspect of your OTF experience?

This is a tough question. For me there were a few “most” impactful aspects of my OTF experience. One was hearing the first-hand experiences of established scientists in a very raw and vulnerable manner. Another was being paired with a mentor that made time to meet with me each day and provide me insight and encouragement. Lastly, having an opportunity to meet others throughout the room during OTF really helped provide familiar and safe faces throughout my conference experience.

What do you remember most from GSA 2022?

My most memorable experience during GSA would have to be career day. This opportunity not only taught me much about building different résumés to market myself in the future, it also allowed me to have conversations about my future interests with a wide variety of individuals established in both academia and in industry.

What was your mentorship experience like? Would you consider returning to serve as a mentor?

I cannot speak highly enough of my mentorship experience. Not only was my mentor just absolutely fabulous in every way possible, but having someone external to discuss positive and negative experiences as well as brain/panic dump to was something I didn’t realize I needed. I would absolutely consider returning to serve as a mentor.

After your OTF experience, how do you see OTF influencing or impacting your future?

OTF allowed me to make more personal and professional connections and really build a connection. I can see contacting many individuals I met during OTF for future support and also as collaborative colleagues.

Why should donors support programs like OTF?

Donors should consider supporting programs like OTF because the graduate retention rate and early-career struggle is abundantly clear. Programs like OTF are crucial ways to begin addressing student and early-career needs for support. Providing students with external support will not only provide them greater opportunities for advancement in the field, but also will provide support for issues that they may not feel like they are able to get from within their department or university safely.

 

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