Amazing ‘Rock the Tate’ exceeds expectations at Casper College

The Tate Geological Museum at Casper College, home to the successful second annual “Rock the Tate” event. (Casper College photo)

An amazing event, “Rock the Tate,” exceeded expectations, with 603 people in attendance. The event took place at the Casper College Tate Geological Museum on Feb. 7, 2026.

Attendees enjoyed presentations and had the opportunity to view and purchase a variety of jewelry made from local minerals and gems. They toured the gallery to learn about the state’s natural science history.

“While the day raises awareness of the Tate Geological Museum and our educational offerings, at heart,

Rock the Tate is a fundraiser for the Casper College Geo Science Club,” said Dalene Hodnett, director of museums. The club’s booth featured fossils, rock samples, and books for sale, many of which were donated by local supporters. According to Hodnett, the proceeds from the sales are used to fund attendance at regional geology conferences. Vendor booth fees also went to the student club. The total raised from all areas was over $2,300. Attending conferences helps each student build their résumé for future employment.

Geo Science Club members showcase a vast array of minerals, including amethyst and geode samples, available for purchase. Pictured l-r: Roxanne Powell, Dezirea Tatro, Valerie Liska, Ally Stedman, and Krista Carstensen. (Casper College photo)

The University of Wyoming also had a booth, at no charge, where the students helped identify rocks and promote UW’s program to the community. “These UW students also forged relationships with our Casper College students, creating a mentorship connection that will benefit Casper College students as they progress to UW,” noted Hodnett.

Of the four presentations featured at Rock the Tate, two featured UW geology students and Casper College graduates, Conner Stafford and Zach Tennery. “It was a great ‘full circle’ moment for the students to come back as the teachers. Casper College is doing an amazing job of preparing students for future opportunities, and Rock the Tate exemplifies the college’s student-first approach, where all events further student success,” Hodnett said.

Stafford gave an insightful talk on “Wyoming Jade.” Stafford graduated from Casper College in 2004 with an associate degree in geology. He is now a geology student at the University of Wyoming, where he is focusing on mineralogy, mineral prospecting, and lapidary materials.

Tennery, a Casper native and third-generation geologist, received his associate degree in geology from Casper College in 2021 and an associate degree and certificate in geographic information systems in 2022. He is currently attending the University of Wyoming. The Casper native and third-generation geologist spoke on “The Late Cretaceous of Wyoming.” Tennery holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and is currently working on his master’s at UW, where he is focusing on Late Cretaceous stratigraphy and paleontology around Casper.

Casper College graduate and UW master’s student Zach Tennery presents “The Late Cretaceous of Wyoming.” (Casper College photo)

Popular Education Specialist at the Tate, Russell Hawley, presented an overview of the rock formations in the Alcova Lake area in his talk titled “Rocks of Alcova.” In his position at the Tate, Hawley leads tours, writes for the bimonthly Tate Geologic Times newsletter, and creates stunning pen-and-ink drawings for the museum.

Rita Douglas, museum exhibit specialist, delivered the final presentation on “Soft-sediment Deformation in Fine Volcanic Ash.” Douglas noted that her “… soft spots are mammoths, prehistoric rhinos and camels, and modern creepy crawlies.” Before working at the college’s two museums, Douglas worked with vertebrate paleontology and zoology collections in museums around the world. She received two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: one in Russian and the other in geology. She then earned a master’s degree in paleontology and global change from the University of Helsinki.

Now in its second year, Rock the Tate is a fun and free event for the public, allowing vendors to showcase and sell rock and mineral samples and unique jewelry crafted from those materials while enjoying informative presentations on Natrona County and Wyoming geology, in keeping with Casper College’s “Students First” philosophy.
​