Geology Advisory Board Meeting
April 17, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.
Present were Keith Wedge, Franca Oboh-Ikuenobe, Edie Starbuck, John Hogan, John Held, Dave
Wronkwiecz, Dave Bardsley, Suzan Wiemers, Trish Gregg, Amy Reeves, Ann Hagni, Dave Ryckman,
Bob Laudon and Cheryl Seeger.
Suzan welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted considerable progress had been made in the previous
year. She stated her responsibility as chair is to help the Board to 1) set goals, and 2) achieve results,
noting that the model of subcommittees and subcommittee chairs will enable the Board to set goals for the
next year. She committed to continue as Board chair, with the term to expire in March 2014.
Suzan noted two primary goals for the Board were identified in March 2013: grow field camp endowment
and enable a 2015 alumni field camp reunion trip. She also noted other goals were identified over the last
year: improve Board membership, assist in communication of faculty growth needs to the Chancellor’s
office, and improve opportunities for corporate gifts. Effort has been made in all these areas, with
varying degrees of completion.
Program Update (Dr. Oboh-Ikuenobe)
Enrollment continues to be healthy, and Dr. Chapman is on board and teaching advanced structure. She
noted that G&G was involved in a proposal for the university initiative for interdisciplinary studies (Best
in Class: minerals proposal) which may land a position for an economic geologist.
Money is needed for laboratory and teaching upgrades. A smart lab is being developed for microscopy; a
check was received from John Miller for $10,000 for the lab but an additional $40,000 is needed for
$50,000 match (required by December 31).
Work on the seismic station is ongoing with $60,000 raised so far. Plan is to formally launch the station
at Homecoming. Another $20,000 is needed to do a data tie-in (receive data from the instrumentation to
Havener or McNutt commons).
Golf Fundraiser (Amy Reeves)
Amy noted that John Hogan and John Held are also working on this event, scheduled for the Sunday
before the career fair. The event is to be a casual meet and greet for the first fundraiser with moderate
expectations for fundraising as we learn how to do this kind of event. Higher expectations for fundraising
will be addressed at future events. Funds raised will benefit the S.K. Grant field camp scholarship fund.
John Hogan noted that Mining, Petroleum and Geological Engineering are invited to increase
participation. Monies will be put to whichever department the participant chooses. Lunch will be
included in the cost for the event. An estimate of the cost was requested; this was noted as $8 to play, $5
for a cart and lunch costs. It was suggested that we auction off the carts as an additional fundraiser.
A barbeque lunch was noted. Items for a raffle or auction were requested as well as for "side games."
Alcoholic drinks will be available afterwards and will be arranged through Chartwells; it will be
approximately $50 to $100 for the license and alcohol can only be served in the clubhouse, not on the
course.
The potential for corporate sponsors was brought up. Amy has talked to the career center; information on
the golf outing will be sent with career fair information in August. Keith Wedge offered to help with
getting word out to alumni. There was discussion about whether the event will be publicized in the
summer alumni magazine.
Franca confirmed it will be included in Earth Tides.
The question was asked as to how we can reach out to corporations. John Held will coordinate asking the
corporations, but will need a comprehensive list of whom and how much to request. Amy offered to
handle information for companies she is familiar with and will work on contacting others. Sponsorship
amounts were discussed, with John Hogan suggesting $100 for tee boxes and for holes. This would
require signage. A question was asked about providing a t-shirt for participants, with a company
sponsoring them and having their name on them. John Held noted that they would need to be pre-ordered
in quantity and have the risk of eating into the net profits. A visor was brought up as an alternative. John
Hogan suggested that for the first event we concentrate on keeping it simple and work on the
sponsorships.
Awards were discussed such as certificates from local resorts. Emails on companies to contact for this are
to be sent to John Held. Amy noted that sponsorships are the most important thing at this point.
John Held noted that there could be package deals, such as four players and a sponsorship for $250 or
similar. He also noted we should emphasize that it is an easy course and the purpose is to meet and greet.
Suzan noted that we also needed to emphasize safety, first aid, and that we have the responsibility to
make sure that water, sunscreen, etc. are available.
Suzan asked for an idea of how much we are trying to raise. It was noted that for a first event, several
thousand dollars would be nice.
Suzan thanked everyone who was working to make this happen.
Alumni Field Trip (Suzan Wiemers and Bob Laudon)
Suzan gave some of the history of the development of the trip so far. A brochure has been sent to a small
number of alumni who indicated early interest (~20 people); it has not been sent to all alumni yet. Bob
Laudon noted that he currently had half the number required for this trip (those who’ve continued to
indicate interest), which included spouses potentially attending. A blurb for the trip will be included in
the next Earth Tides. Franca noted that attendees do not have to be alumni. Bob will open the trip to
others, and said that he also hopes some faculty will attend the trip. Deadlines for first and final payments
were noted; Suzan noted that if the trip does not happen due to lack of at least 20 attendees, a mechanism
will need to be in place for refunds. It was noted that 30 participants would be ideal, with a maximum of
60. Suzan requested that the trip be publicized whenever opportunities arise. Bob will handle
communications as much as possible. Any funds raised beyond required expenses will go to funding field
camp; however the trip is not designed as a fundraiser. The cost model has approximately $50 per person
earmarked for the Grant fund.
Faculty Increase (Keith Wedge and Franca Oboh-Ikuenobe)
The university is searching for a new provost; of the four candidates, one is a professor of Geology and
Geological Engineering. The impact of searches for new provost and two deans means that not much is
being decided on other issues at this time. The program is working with John Held to get industry
support for additional faculty. Justification for the additional faculty needs to be based on the strategic
plan. It was felt that the Best in Class proposal looked promising for selection.
The question was raised about another letter to the Chancellor from the Board. It was felt that there was
no need for a follow-up letter right now, but perhaps another one after the new provost is selected would
be useful. It was emphasized that industry support is needed. France felt the Board could still contact the
Chancellor to let her know the Board is disappointed. Keith noted he had informally met with the
Chancellor, and she is aware. John Hogan felt that we have done a good job of making our case and that
we need to continue to do so.
The Best in Class was discussed. The current strategic plan is for 100 new faculty by 2020; 18 have
already been hired. Also, approximately one-third of positions are to be non-tenure track. Keith noted
that hiring will likely be reevaluated based on money issues after the provost and two deans are hired.
Phase 2 of the strategic hiring plan will start in the fall upon arrival of new provost and two deans; it was
felt that this is next time to send another letter. Keith noted that 2 of the 6 vice provosts are new this fall.
Keith will do some introductions with the Board once the provost and deans are in place; this will be
followed by formal meetings.
Corporate Gifts (Dave Bardsley)
The Board needs to identify clearly what any funding is to be used for with lists of needs and specific
goals. The Board should develop three to four specific projects with needs and budgets. The Board
should then look as a group at corporations by market segment. It was noted that target companies need
to be run past John Held and Darla (?). Darla will help do proposals once the project and customer base
have been developed. It was noted that the microscopy Smart Lab is already on the table. John Held
noted that companies like to match dollars when possible. John Hogan noted that the Smart Lab room
needs modifications that are not in the current proposal and asked if donors at larger petroleum companies
might want to be involved; the price tag for the modifications is approximately $200,000.
An endowed chair was noted as a second current need. Suzan requested a discipline for the chair;
strategic natural resources and petroleum geology were noted. John Held said $150,000 per year needed
to annually fund a chair (for specific research project).
Dave Bardsley asked how we make sure we are not stepping on toes in the process. John Held felt that
the Smart Lab was okay. The endowed chair would not come out of regular giving, but can come as an
annual corporate gift and can be tied to specific research. It was also noted that monies could be used for
the seismic station, a field camp endowment and sponsoring visiting faculty as speakers.
Dave Bardsley noted that the suggestions all need to be quantified, and asked how we go about contacting
corporations. John Held suggested working with companies with which the program has existing
relationships, then starting to build relationships with other companies. Dave Bardsley asked if we need
to break out this task by Board affiliations. John Held suggested that the Board look at which companies
are hiring alumni and graduates and who is coming here for research. Suzan suggested that metrics be
collected for a first pass then discuss. It was suggested that a date be set for a discussion of needs to
move forward. Dave Bardsley asked if there were any other formal proposals for items beyond the Smart
Lab, the seismic station or endowed chair. John Hogan noted that it would not be difficult to write one
for a visiting speakers program, and he offered to draft a proposal for such. Dave Bardsley asked that
proposals be done in 60 days. He will also do a first pass on the company list for Civil, Environment and
Mining; he requested help with oil companies. He will send information within 60 days.
Suzan noted that someone specific will be needed to help Dave and to engage other Board members.
Franca suggested Bill Tedesko. Suzan suggested Zack Lawrence (a Board member, ExxonMobil).
Membership (Trish Gregg)
Trish noted that she will need help to move forward due to having accepted a new position. Dave
Bardsley asked if there is a "job description" for being on the Board; there is not one currently. Trish
recapped her discussion from the last meeting. Keith noted that when the Board originally formed, bylaws were developed; it is not known where these are archived. It was noted that we do have an inactive
members list. Trish reiterated the importance of getting interested members on the Board. Suzan noted
that Dave Bardsley may know some potential members. Volunteers were requested to help Trish discuss
this; Dave Bardsley and Edie Starbuck will help. Cheryl volunteered to help Edie.
Next Meeting
Keith asked about the fall meeting schedule. Suzan noted that the Homecoming meeting often does not
time well. It was decided to have it on October 16, 12-2 p.m., as that is the same date as the banquet.
The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Seeger
Secretary