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GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT FACULTY
Kent Sundell Geology allows me to be outdoors and apply a broad knowledge of science (chemistry, physics, biology, math) towards a better understanding of our Earth. From the historical and esoteric (paleontology, plate tectonics, paleomagnetism, climate change) to the practical application of finding a high paying job (oil, gas, and mineral exploration, geophysics, geochemistry, geohydrology, environmental geology), geology makes life fun and mentally stimulating.
To contact Kent you can call him at 307-268-2498 or email him at ksundell@caspercollege.edu
Melissa Connely serves at the Tate Geological Museum Director. She is also an instructor in the Geology Department and the Kleinhammer Earth Science Chair. She is originally from Yakima, Washington and has lived in Colorado, Michigan and Arkansas. She has been in Wyoming for almost 30 years and hopes to spend the rest of her life there.
Melissa started her education at Casper College receiving her associates in Elementary Education. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Geology from the University of Wyoming and her Master's degree in Geology from Utah State University. As a geologist, her interests are in stratigraphy and sedimentation, paleontology and paleoecology. Her Master's Thesis is titled "The Stratigraphy and Paleoecology of the Morrison Formation at Como Bluff, Wyoming."
She is very interested in paleontology and has worked for 11 years at various dinosaur quarries and in a prep lab. She has worked with many Jurassic animals including Apatosaurus, Allosaurus, Drinker, and other vertebrates.
In the summer, she works as a consultant for the petroleum industry. She does paleontological surveys for BLM lands and also works with other academic institutions.
Research is very important to her and she is often involved in many research projects. She encourages her students to participate and be a part of these projects.
To contact Melissa you can call her at 307-268-2017 or email her at mconnely@caspercollege.edu
Dana VanBurgh
BA Geology, Coe College
MA Science Education, Univ. of Northern Colorado
When in grade school Dana lived two blocks west of what is now the Goodstein Library and played and climbed all over the bare hills that became the CC campus
Dana attended CC as a "graduate student" 1956-57 taking courses necessary for a teaching certificate. Verda James, for whom the school is named, was his advisor.
He started teaching 9th grade science at Dean Morgan JH in the fall of 1957 and taught mostly Earth Science in the same classroom for 38 years. After he retired Dana came to CC as an adjunct in the Geology Dept. However, he had taught geology in the Evening School here many years earlier. In addition, Dana has taught summer field programs for over forty years. Dana hopes his background makes him of value to the education students he is teaching now.
"I have always claimed to have the best job in the world. So far I have not observed another profession that appears to come close to being as much fun as teaching." ---Dana Van Burgh
To contact Dana you can email him at vanburgh@caspercollege.edu
Terry Logue
Terry Logue is an Adjunct Professor of Geology. He received a BS in Biology Education and an MNS in Geology form the State University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Science Education from the University of Wyoming. He taught in the public schools for 27 years. Most of that time he taught Jr. High earth science or High School geology and biology. He taught earth science, physical geology and science education for 12 years at the University of North Alabama. Through a ninth grade student he discovered and has done research on the Pterosaur tracks at Alcova, Wyoming. He enjoys teaching, reading, building and photography.
To contact Terry you can email him at tjlogue@una.edu
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