Category: Traditions & Events
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Going with the Flow: Geology’s Fall Departmental Field Trip 2022
Last weekend the Geology Department set forth on our Fall departmental trip for a geological field trip down the James River in canoes. The late summer weather was glorious, and the James River’s flow was just right– not too high and not too low. On Friday evening, our crew of 22 camped along the James…
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How Our Garden Grows: The William & Mary Geology Rock Garden
William & Mary sits squarely on the the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a region underlain by geologically young sand, silt, clay, and gravel. Many of these geological layers are fossiliferous, and even on campus we can find the preserved remains of 4 million-year old clams and scallops. What we don’t have is easy access to rocks,…
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Endings and Beginnings
William & Mary’s class of 2015 has graduated. On Sunday morning the Geology department held its graduation reception, and the mood was suitably festive as our latest cohort of seniors took possession of their diplomas. As I noted in earlier posts, part of what makes a bachelor of science degree in Geology from William &…
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The Department that Floats Together…
The latest addition of the Geology departmental field trip rolled out of Williamsburg last Friday and then floated down the James River on Saturday. The weather in the Mid-Atlantic region was iffy. A stalled frontal system bolstered an on-shore flow of moist air, but a spot of rain here and there did not deter the…
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Convocation & Insolation
William & Mary is back in business for another academic year. I teach my first class at 9 a.m. on Wednesday—Geology 110: The Earth’s Environmental Systems; it’s an introductory class with 200 students enrolled. Later, on Wednesday afternoon the College will gather for Convocation, and this is the ceremony that really kicks off the academic…
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It’s Gneiss to be Old
William & Mary is celebrating its 319th birthday this weekend. For an institution of higher learning in the western hemisphere, 319 years certainly qualifies as venerable. Although what qualifies as old depends on your perspective; geologists typically take a long view on time. It’s easy to do when you consider that the Earth’s history stretches…
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The Foundation of the College
William & Mary just celebrated its 316th anniversary. On Charter Day the crowd assembled at PBK Hall. The choir was in the house and ready to sing. Once the distinguished guests, board of visitors, administrators, and faculty came marching in the party really got started. The Provost, in what may be the highpoint of his…