The UWM Department of Geosciences celebrated its 60th anniversary in November by bringing together department members, friends of Geosciences, and alumni from across the country for a two-day celebration honoring the department and its accomplishments over the years.
Celebrants gathered for a packed weekend on Nov. 3-4 that included a brewpub meet-up and a Wisconsin geologic walk. Guests were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Thomas A. Greene Geological Museum, which contains the fossil and mineral collection of Thomas A. Greene. Guests were also able to tour the department’s research labs and attend a meet-and-greet session with some of the department’s emeritus faculty during an open house.
The weekend capped off with a celebratory dinner for faculty, staff, and alumni. Over its 60 year history, the Geosciences Department has seen a number of its talented students earn degrees, and many of them returned to Milwaukee from their homes on the east coast, west coast, and fresh coast of the Great Lakes. Their love for the
department shone; some returning alumni earned their degrees back in the 1970s.
One such alumnus is Alderman Michael Murphy, who has long served on the Milwaukee Common Council. The Common Council also celebrated and recognized the Department of Geosciences with a proclamation recognizing its impact on Milwaukee.
After all, as department members are fond of saying, Geosciences rocks!
Contributed by Professor Dyanna Czeck, Chair, Department of Geosciences