NAME: Doug Selvius

GRADUATED: 1980

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Exploration Manager for St. Mary's Gulf Coast and Permian Division in Houston, TX

EMAIL: dselvius@stmaryland.com

MAJOR / MINOR: Biology / Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
"Clearly Dave Young stands out in my Calvin memories. He has no idea how significant his impact on my life has been. Being part of Calvin's first group of graduating geologists was also very special. Grace Luymes, Tom Kramer, Jim Feenstra, Hal Pranger - all are good memories."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"Although I received an excellent education in science at Calvin, what really prepared me for corporate life was the training Calvin provided me in oral and written communication. The majority of my peers in industry graduated with purely technical degrees and never received the type of training Calvin afforded me."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
"I went on to get a Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan in 1982. I then moved to Houston, TX and jumped into the oil business."

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"I now work for St. Mary Land & Exploration Co. in Houston, Texas. I am the Exploration Manager for St. Mary's Gulf Coast and Permian Division responsible for exploration activity ranging from West Texas to the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico. Every morning I get to wake up, drive to my office, and work on a treasure hunt. I can't imagine a more exciting career."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS: "I would encourage current and incoming students to familiarize themselves with employment opportunities available in the oil and gas industry. I have found it to be an extremely exciting career. The current and future need for well rounded geo-scientists in oil and gas is staggering. It is an exciting, challenging, financially rewarding career. I would be more than willing to provide information and assistance to any Calvin student interested in learning more about the field. Feel free to contact me at selviustx@sbcglobal.net or at dselvius@stmaryland.com."

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NAME: Ryan Bierma

GRADUATED: 2003

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Field Engineer for UNAVCO
in Anchorage, AK

EMAIL: bierma@gmail.com

MAJOR / MINOR: Geology / Biology and Psychology

• The outstanding faculty in the department! They provide an excellent example for balancing faith and science.
• Field trips, field work, and fantastic slides in class

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
The broad range of coursework was beneficial. More quantitative coursework would have been helpful.

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
--Grad School at UNC-Charlotte.
--Research in tectonic geomorphology, examining soils and stream terraces in the Reno River Valley, Apennine Mountains, Italy.
--Field Engineer for UNAVCO. Southern California and Alaska.


WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
I work for UNAVCO, on a grant from the NSF to build and maintain the Plate Boundary Observatory. My job involves extensive travel throughout Alaska to install permanent GPS stations used for earthquake and tectonic research.

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
Get into the field every chance you get, whether it be to study rocks, ecosystems or urban areas, just get out there! carpe diem

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NAME: Brooks R. Dillard

GRADUATED: 1999

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Geologist, E.I.T. for Brown and Caldwell, Phoenix, Arizona

EMAIL: mountainbuilder@gmail.com

MAJOR: Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• "The care, patience, and attentiveness of Ralph Stearley and Davis Young as I spent many hours in their offices discussing views concerning origins. The fact that they wanted me to dig, to learn for myself and study, instead of imposing their own views..."
• Historical Geology lectures that "made 45 minutes seem like 5."
• "I'll never forget the time that I was TA during a Historical Geology field trip to a local gravel mine and was trying to take picture with the digital camera. The place where I was standing had originally appeared stable, but the surface material gave way, and I sunk knee-deep into a coarse-grained sludge pool. After all the students finished laughing at me, one of them decided to test the same area and ended up sinking in themselves..."
• Trip to Toronto for the GSA (Geological Society of America) meeting
• Post-commencement trip to the Adirondack Mountains: "I still have lots of rocks from that trip..."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"The labs for each of my geology classes were helpful, and in general, Calvin did well at preparing me to think scientifically. I wish I had developed better scientific writing skills at Calvin."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
Summer internship at JE Fuller Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc which eventually turned into a full-time position.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"I am currently working as a geologist and engineer in-training for the
Environmental Services department of Brown and Caldwell, located in Phoenix,
AZ. I'm working in the mining group, getting involved in lots of
mine-related projects from remediation and reclamation to coring and
surficial geologic mapping. My 6.5 years of experience at JE Fuller
Hydrology have allowed me to contribute in other areas of the Environmental
Services department as well; geomorphology and surface water hydrology
projects, among others.

I sold my website design business, but am still maintaining some design
hobbies on the side, one of which is the slightly profitable, but really
enjoyable, the YupRocks website ( http://www.yuprocks.com). The site receives
over 1000 individual visitors each day from around the world, so it's nice
to know there are other people out there that enjoy the pictures as much as
I do."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Be willing to make trips on your own dime to meet with Grad school professors or potential employers - the extra effort and face to face interaction will go a long, long way. Start emailing/calling grad school professors ahead of time and communicate to them your interests in order to start a dialog to find out ways you could work together. Talk to every 'geology contact' you have to open doors for solid employment in the field of geology."

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NAME: Chad Evenhouse

GRADUATED: 1994

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Environmental Scientist, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Cary, North Carolina

EMAIL: Chad.Evenhouse@kimley-horn.com

MAJOR: Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• Relationships: "God, family, friends...all significantly changed during my time at Calvin."
• "My favorite experience as a student is thinking back on my first class with Dr. Jim Clark for Intro to Geology. He put up "How Great Thou Art" on the transparency and started singing...I think that experience set the tone and expectation for the rest of my college experience and desire to pursue a degree in geology/natural resources."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"Calvin prepared me particularly well in my communication, as well as technical skills. Calvin gave me a lot of confidence in my abilities to work with people and solve complex problems. Now that I work in the engineering/environmental consulting arena, my interdisciplinary education has been a tremendous base for my professional development."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
"After graduating from Calvin in 1994, I enrolled in graduate school at North Carolina State University to pursue my master's degree in natural resources. In addition to graduate school, I continued working with Young Life Ministries (an outreach ministry to high school kids) in the Raleigh/Cary area. I met my wife (Jenn) while in graduate school, and we were married in March of 2001. I finished my master's degree while working for Kimley-Horn, and have since become a Professional Wetland Scientist."

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"For Kimley-Horn, I am an Environmental Scientist working on watershed planning, stream/wetland restoration design, and environmental permitting. I like the diversity of problems/issues that I get to work on, ranging from the design of stream and/or wetland restoration sites, watershed planning, water quality improvement, best management practices, public education and involvement, and permitting. I work closely with the regulatory community for both public and private clients. The best part of the job is that I am often in the field where I am as likely to be in the mountains one day and on the coast the next."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Pursue internships to build relationships! Look for opportunities that will allow you to have exposure to many different disciplines and career paths."

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NAME: Steve Faber

GRADUATED: 1998

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Administrative Assistant at City Vision Inc. and student at Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

EMAIL: steve@cityvisioninc.org

MAJOR / MINOR: Geography / Environmental Studies and Third World Development

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
Favorite course: Environmental Ethics with Lionel Basney.

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"Calvin helped me to develop a world view that prepared me for being comfortable with transformation and flux."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Executive director of a local nonprofit group working with urban youth
• Married a great art teacher
• Rehabing a two-family home
• Started school again

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:

• Completed a Masters in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management
• Working in nonprofit consulting, a small part of that includes helping nonprofits apply GIS to better plan for neighborhood change. I recently presented a paper at the Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) conference on the role of intermediary nonprofits in delivering GIS services and how nonprofts can work at community counter-mapping.
• I am also a founding member of Grand Rapids Cohousing Community, which hopes to be the first cohousing development in West Michigan.

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NAME: Rich M. Francisco

GRADUATED: 1996

CURRENT OCCUPATION: GIS Systems Analyst, Ottawa County, Michigan

EMAIL: rfranci@co.ottawa.mi.us

MAJOR / MINOR: Geography / Environmental Studies and Third World Development

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
"All the late nights at Calvin. Wow, I can't believe I didn't sleep much then."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
Geography degree..."but I really do think that Calvin should offer more GIS courses....I found myself taking more classes after I graduated."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Worked for several companies
• Worked for City of Grand Rapids/Northrop Grumman IT as a GIS Technologist
• Worked for Ottawa County in Michigan as a GIS Technician

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
I work for the County of Ottawa (MI) in the field of Geographic Information Systems, as a GIS Systems Analyst. I am responsible for maintaining the systems that house all GIS data. This includes Parcels, Aerials, Lidar, Zoning, Storm Utilities, etc.

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
If you are interested in computer mapping and analysis, I suggest you take lots of other courses in computer science: databases, web courses such as ASP, programming courses such as VB or Java....

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NAME: Michelle Kooy

GRADUATED: 1998

CURRENT OCCUPATION: PhD Candidate, Geography Department, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, B.C.)

EMAIL: melank@interchange.ubc.ca

MAJOR: Environmental Science (biology focus)

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• Working in the Ecosystem Preserve
• Geology classes and memorizing minerals
• Environmental Stewardship Club
• Prof. Bert DeVries

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Worked for a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Palestine for one year.
• Completed a Masters degree in Environmental Studies at York University (Toronto).
• Spent a year in Thailand researching the political ecology of water privatization.
• Worked for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
  

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
Michelle is in the PhD program in the Geography Department at the University of British. As of September 2003 she is preparing to take her comprehensive exams, and then she will go to Indonesia to "look at all of the fascinating socio-cultural, and political economic issues determining the structure of urban water governance in Jakarta, Indonesia." She says "I love my work--it isn't always apparent but there's nothing else I want to do."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Take time to think about what you believe (about anything/everything) and why...and yet--perhaps paradoxically--try to open yourself up to as many new things (courses, friends, cultures, experiences, organizations, music) as possible. Be (overtly) political."

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NAME: Meri Marsh

GRADUATED: 1999

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Graduate student at University of California (Santa Barbara, California)

EMAIL: merimarsh@yahoo.com

MAJOR: Geography

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• "I don't actually remember what class it was--I think cartography and GIS-- we had to walk around that grassy area in front of the commons with GPS receivers. I remember getting lots of funny looks from outsiders thinking we were trying to contact aliens! I think Calvin's department did an excellent job getting us out in the field to see how what we learned in class actually manifested itself in the landscape."
• The many field trips.
• Studying Central Places.
• Taking soil cores from outside the nature preserve.
• My own traveling to all the cemeteries of Grand Rapids to better understand their geography.

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"I don't think any two geography departments are the same so I think it's probably impossible to be comprehensively prepared for any graduate school department. However, by requiring courses in both physical and human geography, I felt my preparation and knowledge was quite well-rounded. Additionally, the statistics and geomorphology classes generally prepared me for the quantitative rigor I faced in grad school."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
Geography Masters at the University of California

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"I'm in graduate school at the University of California at Santa Barbara--in the geography department. It's my third year, and I'm still finishing up my Master's, but hoping to be done with it in March. I've had a couple of projects that have been distracting me--I'm just finishing up co-authoring "Barron's Guide to the AP Human Geography Exam," and once that's done, I'll be able to spend more time writing the thesis. I'm writing a learning module on globalization for high school students. In addition, I've been working as a teaching assistant, which involves teaching a couple of sections a week for an introductory class in human geography. I have to admit, the best part of what I do is the freedom I have, both over how I spend my days, and what I want to study. I can't really imagine anything better than spending my days either learning or teaching things that interest me."

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NAME: Paul Petersen

GRADUATED: 2001

CURRENT OCCUPATION: GIS Specialist, GEO/Graphics, Inc., Logan, Utah

EMAIL: rockharrier@yahoo.com

MAJOR: Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Glacial Geomorphology
• Bonding during all-night Mineralogy review sessions
• Glacial Geomorphology field trip to Au Sable and Professor van Dijk's patience
• Relationships with both the professors and other students
• Blending faith with academics and athletics

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"I think Calvin gave me a very well-rounded backbone in geology that allowed me to have an overall geologic understanding while still pursuing my specialized interests. I actually found graduate courses to be easier than my Calvin classes and spent far less time studying in grad school, so I guess that means Calvin prepared me well. I do wish that I had been able to take more physics, and learn a computer programming language as an undergraduate."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Albion's geology field camp the summer following graduation
• Married a geologist (who I met at field camp) a year later
• Graduate school for geology at Utah State University

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"After grad school, I got a job in Logan at a small consulting company called GEO/Graphics that specializes in GIS, photogrammetry, GPS and cartography. So ironically enough, after getting two degrees in geology, I am now a geographer. My job consists primarily of map production and analysis, aerial photo processes, resource mapping, and GIS customization and programming. And I ski a lot."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Remember that school or your job is not your identity; your relationship with God makes who you are. The world and the academic community (especially in grad school) will try to tell you what your priorities and your life should be, but know that academic knowledge is not everything and that your job is not everything. Go to field camp."

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NAME: Jennifer Pilkington (Masselink)

GRADUATED: 2000

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Raising a family in Avon Lake, Ohio

EMAIL: gfjennarae@yahoo.com

MAJOR / MINOR: Geography / English

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
The close knit group of Geography students. Something you would never find at a big university. Obviously, my favorite course was the one GIS class:) Wish there had been more! Of course the trip to the Netherlands will always be the highlight of my college years.

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
I could have used more GIS courses and some VB programming but I took some programming classes later in Durango and GIS changes so much you learn something new everyday and with every new release of the software. Also a little background in surveying could have helped since so much GIS is research and mapping from old surveying documents.

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
Worked for 2 years for MapSearch (PennWell) in Durango, Colorado as a GIS Technician mapping power lines and power plants. Moved back to Denver to work for Premier Data Services. Left there last year as the Supervisor of their GIS department contracted to map among many other things Federal land ownership and working on major projects such as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for the Federal government.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
Moved to Cleveland for Andy's job to stay home with my new baby boy Evan and 2 year old Graham. I miss my career in GIS but love spending time with the boys!

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
Enjoy the liberal arts education you are receiving. You will be more well rounded than those coming from larger programs centered solely on technology. It is the extra skills like problem solving, writing, communication, etc. that only a good education can nurture and will take you further in your career and faster than others in your field. Experience, experience, experience! My first job for the City of Grand Rapids was my first step towards my career goals - and I was hired for my first job based on that.

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NAME: Jason "Jay" Poll

GRADUATED: 2000

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Geologist, Westshore Consulting (Muskegon, MI)

EMAIL: jpoll@geologist.com

MAJOR / MINOR: Geology / Environmental Studies

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• "Professor Stearley brought the sometimes intimidating realm of geology into a light that was more easily understood."
• Environmental classes
• Although it was a struggle to be a part of the Calvin community as an off-campus student, Jason found the GGES department "to be better understanding than most and a refuge..."
• Fun and interesting field trips that would make a postal worker proud (rain, snow, etc.)
• Comfortable and engaging classrooms and class sizes
• "Yup--Rocks!" T-shirt

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Even though I am in an entry-level position, stress is a routine part of my life. A firm belief in God is the strongest tool in my belt and one which I rely the most upon."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Married in July 2000
• Worked with an Indiana consulting firm
• Moved to Grand Haven and purchased a home
• Currently working as a geologist for Westshore Consulting

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"I perform a wide variety of duties including hydrogeologic studies, subsurface investigations of soil and groundwater contamination, designing and implementing enhanced bioremediation systems, environmental due-diligence activities related to real property transactions, and geotechnical evaluations. My time is spent both in the field doing hands-on collection of data or research (60%) and in the office documenting or reporting the data, marketing, correspondence with clients or the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (40%)."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Don't be afraid to be yourself and follow the path that God has chosen for you, using the gifts that you were given.  There is life without graduate school."

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NAME: Harold (Hal) Pranger

GRADUATED: 1984

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Geomorphologist with the National Park Service (Denver, Colorado)

EMAIL: hal_pranger@nps.gov

MAJOR: Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• Dave Young and petrology/optical mineralogy
• Field trips
• Jim Clark
• The NSF summer internship in glaciology
• Geophysics and structural geology class
• First graduating class in geology at Calvin!

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"Calvin's geology program was particularly challenging and fun. The small class sizes really helped (in the 'old' days we struggled to fill a single lab table!). Dave, Jim and Clarence's dedication is what made it work and thrive to this day. You all are carrying the torch well."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• 1985-88: graduate school at Colorado State University -Stan Schumm (Martian channels)
• 1986-88: consulted with Schumm's firm
• 1988-90: hydrologist for the State of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
• 1990-91: hydrologist/geomorphologist for Beak Consultants in Portland, OR
• 1991-2000: hydrologist for U.S. Office of Surface Mining in Denver
• 2000-present: geomorphologist for the National Park Service in Denver
• Children (as of fall 2004): Anna-17, Julie-15, Elsa-12, Laura-5, Derik-1

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
" I am a geomorphologist in the National Park Service Washington Office (based in Denver), working on a wide variety of river and glacier projects across the U.S."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Career-wise, develop a focused goal or goals and carefully outline the steps you'll need to reach it (them). Then take those steps until you reach your goal(s). Always look for the truth in ALL things."

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NAME: Annelia Tinklenberg

GRADUATED: 2003

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Working for the Utton Transboundary Resources Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico

EMAIL: anneliat@gmail.com

MAJOR / MINOR: Geology / Environmental Studies

NAME: Michael Vanden Berg

GRADUATED: 2000

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Geologist, Utah Geological Survey

EMAIL: michaelvandenberg@utah.gov

MAJOR: Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• Christian camaraderie
• Wonderful geology field trips
• Outstanding geology professors

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"The writing and public speaking skills I obtained at Calvin are extremely helpful. Also, the geology classes more than prepared me for my Master's degree."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Master's program in Geology at the University of Utah. As part of my thesis research, I sailed on Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 199 as a physical properties specialist. During this two month cruise, we collected deep sea cores from the Equatorial Pacific as a means to study Cenozoic paleoclimate.
• Completed MSc in Geology in December 2002.
• Worked for the Utah Energy Office for 2 years.
• Married a geologist.
  

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
I'm currently working in the Energy and Minerals section of the Utah Geological Survey.
I work on a variety of economic geology projects from studying Utah's oil shale resources to studying potential reservoirs for carbon sequestration. I also write the annual "Utah Coal Report" and keep track of all Utah's energy statistics. I serve on several energy-related legislative committees and am treasurer of the Utah Geological Association. I also cite and install 20- and 50-meter anemometer towers as a means to encourage development of Utah's wind energy resource.

When I am not working, I am taking advantage of Utah's wonderful landscape. I mountain bike, ski, hike, camp, golf, etc. etc. every chance I get.

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Go to conferences (GSA, AGU), talk with professionals, make connections. Try to find work as an intern in a geology-related company. For those of you who would like to pursue a Master's degree; e-mail professors whose interests match your own and inquire about their research. Ask them if they are taking on new grad students. Personal connections, even over e-mail, go a long way."

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NAME: Alan Waddilove

GRADUATED: 2000

CURRENT OCCUPATION:

E-MAIL: AlanWaddilove@myrealbox.com

MAJOR / MINOR: History & Geography / Latin

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
"That it was a very enjoyable place generally. The two post-commencement field trips I went on to St. Louis and New Mexico were great! I hesitate to say I had a "favorite prof.," even though Henk Aay was the first prof from the department I really had a chance to get to know. Many friendships I made and thoughts I had (or where given to me by others) will stay with me for my entire life."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"I feel I advanced socially at Calvin. I need good people skills to keep all the GIS users in the city (over 50 -- it seems I am still discovering more everyday!) happy and informed on things that are relevant to their use of GIS. I really do wish Calvin had more of a technical focus on the geosciences. GIS is an industry that kept right on growing through the recent economic downturn, and will be so important in that future as the most efficient way to identify and distribute ever more scarce resources worldwide. I am happy to hear Calvin is/has somewhat increased their course offerings in GIS, but nothing short of a full-time staff member added to the department can truly do GIS justice in my eyes. I found that GIS had basically taken over the geography departments at the two large universities I attended, especially MIchigan State."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
"I went to grad school at the University of Kansas for one semester, fall 2001, in the geography program. Then I transferred to Michigan State University starting spring 2002 and received my M.S. in Geographic Information Science from MSU in May 2003. I accepted my current job in December 2003 and am now GIS Analyst (and de-facto GIS coordinator) for the City of Davenport, Iowa."

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"City of Davenport, Iowa (unfortunately our website is nearly useless). I am the GIS Analyst. I am entirely responsible for all GIS applications citywide. I love the fact that I am in control of my own (rather small) vocational domain, and that my job means I have a mix of times spent behind a computer screen for hours wrestling to solve specific problems, and talking to other GIS users in a much more general way."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Take all the technically orientated classes the department offers, and supplement them with at least two computer science classes. Learn the Visual Basic programming language, and possibly C/C++ or Python as well. Do not be scared into the belief that spending more time thinking along technical lines is somehow against God's will or will somehow stunt your broader intellectual development. As long as you don't go completely overboard into techiedom, you will graduate as a sharp-thinking, well-developed, and quite importantly (at least at first) marketable servant ready for work in God's kingdom."

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NAME: Melanee Weening

GRADUATED: 1999

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Elementary school teacher (grade 7/8 geography)

EMAIL: melaneewee@hotmail.com

MAJOR / MINOR: Geography / Environmental Studies

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:

• Eco-Fiction Class with Henk Aay (An Interim Course)
• Environmental Philosophy with Janel Curry (ENV 395)

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"Calvin prepared me by guiding me to develop my ability to think critically, and be open to ideas, being ready to learn and remembering my faith in all that I do."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:

• Worked for North Country Trail Association in Grand Rapids Michigan making trail use maps using ArcView
• Got married, travelled a little
• Lived in poverty in Toronto, Ontario (who really believes that minimum wage can pay anyone's bills?)
• Moved to Barrie, Ontario where my husband has been teaching ever since
• Bought a house in Orillia, Ontario, doing renovations
• Went to University of Western Ontario and earned B.Ed

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"I have been working for an Ontario Land Surveyor the last 3-4 years. I mostly draft plans using AutoCad, although occasionally I have am out doing field work. I find this stuff very interesting - the ownership of land, the history of land division and placement of incumberances. But this is not my passion, which is teaching. I went back to school in 2002 to the University of Western Ontario and earned a B.Ed. I am currently teaching part time at an elementary school in Barrie, in a grade six class and a grade one class. I also continue to work in the survey field, specifically on subdivision and condominium projects. I have great balance and love my work in both areas."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Study passionately. Once you get to this side, it's hard to go back."

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NAME: Ben DeJong

GRADUATED: 2003

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team, United States Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia

EMAIL: thebendejong@gmail.com

MAJOR: Geology

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
"I think the most standout quality of Calvin College is the common world view that is shared by a majority of the individuals. The "real world" obviously isn't like that, so when I go through my day-to-day routine and think back on my days at Calvin, that comes to mind first. I remember it being a bit tedious when I was still there, but I realize now that it was very comforting in a way."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"I've noticed that my proficiency in understanding depositional environments from the sedimentary record has been especially good. I may have been one of the last students from Calvin Geo to have one semester of sedimentology and one semester of stratigraphy. This was a very important aspect of my training and I'm very thankful that I had Dr. Stearley to introduce me to these concepts."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
"I went out to northern Utah to study geomorphology at Utah State University. I studied fluvial terraces in a two small Grand Canyon tributaries and correlated them to Pleistocene-Holocene climate variability. That ended with the close of 2006, and since then I've been studying the same sorts of things on the Atlantic Coastal Plain."

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
"I'm on the Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team at the USGS in Reston, VA. This team focuses a great deal of work defining the surficial and shallow sub-surficial geologic framework of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The project I've been primarily involved with is mapping the geology at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I have been mapping the three associated quadrangles and placing the surficial deposits in the context of past climate change. It's great to be involved in the the entire process from collecting data to its interpretation."

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"It can be hard to narrow down your interests when you're in the thick of an undergrad degree. But if something grabs you, run with it. Spend a bit of time familiarizing yourself with some of the recent/current research in that field. When given a research paper to read, read it. Read it 3 times if you have to. Gaining experience in reading/understanding technical papers will make your life much easier in the future. GET OUTSIDE. Life is good!"

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NAME: John Vanderlaan

GRADUATED: 1995

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Vice President/Geophysicist
Prism GeoImaging, Inc.

EMAIL: jvanderlaan@prismgeo.com

MAJOR/MINOR: Geology/Environmental Studies

MEMORIES OF CALVIN:
"The geology department field trips are some very good memories."

WHAT AT CALVIN PREPARED YOU:
"Calvin prepared me well by having a focus on writing. So-called 'writing enhanced' courses gave me a solid start in learning technical writing."

LIFE AFTER CALVIN:
"I worked at a warehouse for a couple of years after graduating, then went to graduate school to pursue a master's degree in remote sensing. While there I took a course in shallow geophysics and got hooked on the ability to "see" underground. After earning a master's degree in geophysics, I worked for a small consulting company in Indianapolis that also did quite a bit of geophysical work on the side. After 7 years working there, my partner and I started our own company specializing in geophysics alone.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
Currently vice president/geophysicist for Prism GeoImaging in Fishers, Indiana.
Website: www.prismgeo.com
"On a day-to-day basis my partner and I market our services, talk to clients about how we might be of service on their projects and write proposals. For the projects we get, we then find the equipment, go collect the data, analyze it, write a report and generate the figures.

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS:
"Take as many credits as you can, you'll probably never have the opportunity to absorb as much learning as you do right now. Take some computer programming classes, because whatever you do for a living, you will be more successful if you can make a computer do what you (or others) want it to do. Take some business classes so that you understand how companies are run. Take a sales course, because you will have to sell something sometime in your career, be it yourself, your ideas, your capabilities or your services. And finally, marvel at God's providence as you look back over your life, because it helps you learn to recognize His providence in your present circumstance."

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