UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
it’s really not. A person just has to know how to fit the pieces together.
There was a point in my life when I believed climate change was a non-issue. My right-leaning family had convinced me that it was a naturally occurring process and had been going on since the dawn of time. These assertions were true, but they weren’t the whole truth. Purveying the whole truth rather than a portion of it has become increasingly dire in the age of the internet, especially with “fake news” being such a hot topic on major media sites. Scientific research is the only thing that can remedy this trend, and my intention is to publish research that’s accessible to the common, high school educated person. If I hadn’t had good teachers to explain the complex processes of Earth to me in layman’s terms, I prob- ably wouldn’t care about it as much as I do today. I intend to become a part of the generation of scientists that changes the way non-STEM people see the world. By this, I mean I want to open the window of truth completely rather than only leaving part of a propaganda in view.
I could have chosen to be an engineer, a physicist, a biolo- gist, or any other STEM major, but I want to be a geologist. Humans wouldn’t be here if the Earth hadn’t been here first. I believe that learning about the Earth and its history will teach people how to respect it, which will lead them to take care of it. It isn’t easy to stomach the idea that humans as a species are responsible for the deterioration of life on Earth, but if people don’t start to understand the facts, the future will only be worse for the biota. I want to become a geologist so I can convince people to care about the planet that gave them life.
Lisa Duong, SA-9558 Georgia State University, GA – GA Section
The two most important days in your life are (1) the day you are born and (2) the day you find out why. I am fortunate enough to have realized my passion and purpose in the field of geology. However,
this love for the geosciences was never premeditated but rather stemmed from the consequences of spontaneity, risk-taking, and unwavering support of several dedicated educators. After a long hiatus from my first college experience, I returned with hopes to complete my undergraduate degree in psychology. While registering for my classes, I skimmed through the avail- able courses and came across Physical Geology. I paused a brief second and thought to myself, “Hm. I wonder what that is?” Knowing that a free elective had to be fulfilled, I enrolled on a whim. The benefits of risk-taking are sometimes the most rewarding.
I left every lecture feeling genuinely inspired.
Soon, I realized the great potential of my newly carved path- way. Trusting my gut, I made the switch to geology.
Last summer, I had a hands-on, full-scale field experience studying abroad in Costa Rica. I worked through many project scenarios, for instance, trekking through mosquito-ridden, tor- tuous muddy trails, sloshing across knee-high, stagnant water in a dark cave, and scaling 15-feet high roadcuts in pursuit of the perfect stratigraphic column. A small town by the name of Vara Blanca continues to resonate with me and is the fuel for my desire in becoming a geologist. Here, I witnessed how the understudied eruptive history of Poás Volcano located within this town can leave local communities vulnerable and unpre-
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pared for future eruptive activity. The temporary closing of the national park it resides in has impacted many families and local businesses, causing a significant economic decline and decrease in the quality of life. Many locals have had no other choice but to find work elsewhere, turning this once-bustling and popular tourist destination into a quiet, forgotten town. I was able to meet many of the locals that opted to stay, and they remain optimistic in hopes that new research can provide clearance for reopening the park, revitalizing the prosperity of the town. From this firsthand experience, I learned how important it is to have a geologic narrative of our world to assess and manage risks properly.
In our capacity of geologists, we are at the forefront of advancing science and technology, and it is our duty to provide our services and diligence to ensure the well-being of our com- munities. I want to be a geologist because my passion in this subject allows me to do more than just exist—my efforts in crisis management can help educate local communities, ulti- mately saving lives as a result of warning and natural disaster training.
By understanding the complexity of our geologic
world, we, the science community, can work together to ensure that future generations can live safely and in prosperity.
Elizabeth Evenocheck, SA-9961 Winona State University, MN - MN Section
Growing up in Minnesota, I have always been a science kid connected to the environment. In the fall, I scrounged around my neighborhood looking for inter- esting rocks. I had to hold my pants up
from the weight of all the precious pebbles in my pockets. In winters, I spent days building complex snow forts and sled runs, perfecting slopes, angles and surface conditions. When the sun started warming things up, I shoveled melting snow and slush into fascinating stream tables. At the time, I did not know it was the start of my hydrology career. In spring, I collected and planted maple seeds, watched them sprout and transplanted them all over my backyard, where some still grow today. In the summer, I examined pond water with my little microscope, caught bugs, dug holes – it didn’t matter which season – I have always been connected to science and the environment. That deep connection still holds true today as I graduate college with a degree in geoscience.
Between playing in slush and working with flume and stream tables there has been quite a journey. I have always maintained my passion for earth science but, I also gained interest in other fields.
I started my collegiate career in computer science, I enjoyed the ability to be creative, problem solve, and develop new technologies. I had two highly sought-after internships with Thomson Reuters. I learned a lot at Thomson Reuters. I also accomplished a lot for them. I could see that career path open- ing up ahead of me.
Then I took the class “Earth and Life Through Time” and it was like I was suddenly reintroduced to that little girl with her pockets full of pebbles. I was hooked. I have no doubt that I could have been successful in a computer science career, but geoscience continues to pull me in. I was even more convinced that geoscience was the right field after I conducted research in the Black Hills, SD. Getting to spend ten days in the field and solve a problem that has never been solved before…
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