Wednesday, April 22, 2020
From Chair David Polly: The Provost mentioned Amanda McKinney and Jim Handschy in her State of the Campus address today for their efforts to "deliver a version of the field experience of Geology’s Montana program online". The field course is always logistically complicated, and changing direction in midstream has been the single largest challenge posed by the pandemic for our department. Both Amanda and Jim have worked above and beyond the call of duty to make it happen, and at the same time juggle the new demands in their own lives. And there's still a long way to go. Thank you, Amanda and Jim. Read the Provost's Letter
And thanks to everyone in the department for so productively making the best of a bad situation. You've all been working overtime teaching courses, doing administrative tasks, finishing theses and dissertations, passing exams, and planning research amid emotionally and logistically trying circumstances. You're all heroes.
From Graduate Student Kelsey Dorion: I never chime in but I want to just say how awesome it is to read this news. I am sure that people will look to this as an impressive example for the ongoing community discussion about improving accessibility to field camps! Many thanks to Jim and Amanda for always making the department shine!!! -Kelsey
From Josie Furr and the GEO Club/SGE: On behalf of both GeoClub and Sigma Gamma Epsilon, I would like to thank all of our professors and staff for the hard work they have put into making this semester happen. While far from ideal, we appreciate the sacrifices they have made on behalf of the students of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. We may be far apart, but we are still one department. Our amazing professors, not to mention the office workers like Nora, have managed to balance caregiving responsibilities, moving and renovation of the Geology Building, and now COVID, all while still giving us a world-class education. Words are insufficient to express our gratitude to all of you. Special thanks to Amanda and Jim for moving heaven and earth to ensure that field camp can go ahead. It is our hope that, despite these dark times, brighter days lie ahead. Someday we will thank you in-person for your dedication and sacrifice. Until then, stay healthy, stay safe, stay sane, and know that we are all here for one another.
With best wishes and thanks,
Jocelyn Furr, President of GeoClub
Maximilian Scott, President of SGE
Nathaniel Leichty, Vice President of GeoClub and SGE
The College of Arts