Student chapter of AIPG receives $10,000 gift

The Wright State University student chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) has received a $10,000 gift from the organization’s national foundation, AIPG Foundation, Inc. Wright State was one of only five student chapters to be recognized.

Kelvin Buchanan, chair of the AIPG Foundation’s Board of Directors, said the Wright State chapter was selected for its unique history and outstanding programming for students. According to Buchanan, the Wright State University student chapter of the AIPG was the brainchild of Thomas Berg, emeritus state geologist of Ohio.

“The AIPG had no student chapters at any university. Tom worked with university officials and the Ohio section of AIPG to create the Wright State student section in 1996. Wright State set a precedent. The AIPG now has student sections at 12 universities across the country,” Buchanan explained.

“The AIPG Foundation recognizes the hard work that Tom did in establishing the student section and is pleased that we are able to assist the students at Wright State with expenses incurred for field trips or whatever other needs they have. Geology is a wonderful profession and the AIPG is grateful to those students who choose to carry on the legacy of people like Thomas Berg.”

Dan Voss, interim dean of Wright State’s College of Science and Mathematics, said, “This generous grant from the AIPG Foundation is greatly appreciated and will be put to good use for the benefit of our AIPG student chapter members and their many worthwhile activities.”

The Wright State student chapter of AIPG organizes or participates in numerous events where students can share their interest in and excitement for geology, including:

• Planning events to celebrate Earth Science Week and Earth Day
• Promoting undergraduate programs in earth and environmental sciences and career opportunities
• Hosting speakers on global climate change
• Volunteering for Adopt-a-Highway cleanup projects
• Supporting social networking events for students, faculty and staff in Wright State’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Engaging in community outreach through TechFest, a local event providing hands-on experiences for young people interested in science, technology, engineering and math

“Our students also work to further their own knowledge and experience by traveling for field trips and to professional meetings,” explained David Dominic, professor and interim chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. “The department encourages these activities, but in the current economic climate has few resources by which to support them. The generous gift of the AIPG Foundation could not have come at a better time, as it will help to ensure that these activities can continue.”

According to Stacey Hundley, faculty advisor for Wright State’s student chapter, the group is planning a social networking event where professionals, currently working in the field, will provide academic and career advice to students. The donation from the AIPG Foundation will help facilitate this activity and create new opportunities that would not have been possible without this funding.

“AIPG has provided the students with a much-needed outlet for mentoring and communication within our department,” said Hundley. “Our members support one another while they are at Wright State and beginning their careers.”