2015 AIPG STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
to have plentiful and clean drinking water, I want to create an environment sustainable for later generations! I enjoy the math and science that would be needed for these goals, so I want to apply them for our community, state, country and the world.
My greatest interest currently is in hydrogeology. I have always had a love for northeast Ohio’s landscape and resources. My classes at Kent State have taught me about the many challenges we face. Currently, we have oil and gas exploration, pesticide and herbicide use, and waste management that are threatening our water source. In the past year I have been both- ered by state and local regulations and testing. Last spring, my hometown, Salem, Ohio was given a notice of TTHML contamination, it was deemed safe to drink, but my curiosity was spiked. I learned TTHML was a disinfectant that is proved harmful upon ingestion. The same month as that notice was issued, a neighboring city, Alliance, Ohio was dealing with giardia contamination. Giardia is a parasite known to harm house pets. Earlier spring of last year, we all heard about the West Virginia chemical spill in Elk River that contaminated water for thousands of people and wildlife. Fall of last year, the restaurant I work for was visited by the EPA for unsafe drinking water. The restaurant has made many updates to meet standards but I was floored to learn the public did not need to know of this contamination! The restaurant is located in Hanoverton, Ohio, just miles from Marcellus Shale drilling. Of course, most Ohioans are aware of the Cuyahoga River fire of 1969 caused by waste and contamination. Not as many are aware that the river had actually caught fire 13 times in known history! And most recently, who can forget the algae plumes at Lake Eerie that cut off water access to most of Toledo!
I think Ohio needs young, creative geologists, conserva- tionists and insightful politicians to move us toward a more sustainable state. I want to be a part of this movement and am so optimistic about what the future holds for me! Geology fulfills my want for learning, my never-ending curiosity, and my need for exploring.
Kevin Townsley, SA-4712
It is six thirty in the morn- ing. As the sun creeps over the top of the valley, the towering granite walls are washed with light. The rack of nuts, hexes and cams jingles on my torso as we hike up the short approach to the cliffside. We begin our ascent of the cliff. Nine pitch- es, six hours, a thousand ver- tical feet, and a few granola bars later, we arrive at the top of the immense monolith. This
is Yosemite. I first became interested in geology because of my passion for rock climbing. As a climber, the more in tune you are to the story you are climbing through, told by clues frozen in stone, the more you can appreciate the act of climbing.
I am interested in furthering my knowledge of this story by pursuing a degree in geology, with an emphasis on hydrology, or environmental geology. As an avid outdoorsman, I believe as though with a thorough education of the natural world, I can be a steward to our great land, using what I know for the benefit of all and preserving it for generations to come, as well as setting
an example for their stewardship. In such a rapidly changing world, the need for educated geologists who are invested in the responsible management of our natural resources is para- mount. To be able to guide a company, whose interests are profit-oriented, in a direction which is both responsible and lucrative, is a dream of mine. That dream, and the existence of geologists of the same caliber, can only be possible through comprehensive education and passion. While a great deal can be learned vicariously, through textbooks, lectures, and speci- mens, in the words of the romantic poet John Keats, “Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced.” In much the same manner, as one of my professors at the U of I remarked, the best geologist is often “the one who has seen the most rocks.” One of the elements of geology that is most difficult to grasp in the classroom is scale. Actual, personal experience will always trump textbook knowledge, which is one reason why, as a budding geologist, the experience I would gain at field camp is so important to me. Field camp will contribute to my long term academic goals because I will gain actual, physical familiarity with my field of study, as well as demonstrating how my upper level geology classes can be applied.
My career goal is to become an environmental geologist or hydrogeologist. Field camp will be a useful exercise in problem solving- thinking critically, and using what I know, as well as the tools in my reach- to come to a conclusion. I also hope that because of field camp, I will develop the confidence in my ability as a geologist to form a conclusion and stand by it because of research I have conducted. Thank you for your consideration of my application for this scholarship.
Stephanie Kitowski, SA-5266
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to become a geolo- gist. Although at the age of 7, I had no idea what the word “geologist” even meant; however, that was the path I was heading towards. At a young age, I would collect rocks from the different places I lived and store them in my rock box. After staring at them for weeks and observing their outside, I would be curious as to what were
in those rocks. When my father was not looking, I would sneak into my father’s tools, steal a hammer, safety goggles, and crack one open. I remember being so intrigued at the fresh minerals inside glistening in the sunlight compared to the weathered outside of the rock. It was hard for me to grasp that what I was looking at grew from the Earth, that it was not man-made from some factory. This was nature’s work.
Throughout high school, I took what geology courses I could; nevertheless, there are never enough students intrigued with the subject to have any classes. Some teachers seemed discour- aged that I wanted to major in geology and tried to sway my pathway towards something more common like nursing or law. However, my mind was made up. I did not want to spend the rest of my life pursuing a career that I did not have a passion for. I would rather be poor and happy, than rich and unsatis- fied. One science teacher did cheer me on and would always talk to me on what I could do with a degree. He encouraged me to major in geology in my college career.
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