One of the pleasures of being in the Geology Department at The College of Wooster is that we have the annual Richard G. Osgood, Jr., Memorial Lecture series. These presentations, given in honor of the late Professor Osgood, have significantly enriched our intellectual lives. Funds from the endowment are used to bring to Wooster internationally-recognized Earth scientists. Last night the 36th Osgood Lecture had an overflow crowd in Lean Lecture Room. It was an excellent event in every way.
Our speaker was Dr. Rob Thieler, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Science Center. His title was “Changing Climate, Changing Coasts”.
Dr. Thieler outlined the causes and consequences of sea-level rise on coastal systems. It is a complex topic, but he made it accessible to everyone. The projected changes are grim enough, but he emphasized to students the critical need now and in the future for people who can communicate science effectively to the public, and for decision-makers to have strong foundational awareness of geological context. Sounds like the ideal mission for a liberal arts geology program.
Dr. Rob Thieler on, appropriately, a coastline. We thank him for his clear, provocative and information-rich talk, and his wonderful interactions with our students. Thank you again to the Osgood family for endowing this spectacular lecture series.
