Mylonite 2005 - Geological Sciences - Cal Poly Pomona

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE 2005 ALUMNI REUNION
The 2005 Geology Alumni Reunion was held on May 14 th
-- wedding day for many of you. This 12 th annual reunion was held
at the Mount Baldy Lodge, the site of the 10 th reunion. The day’s
activities followed the order of the previous San Antonio Canyon
alumni event. In the morning there was a field trip. In the afternoon
we had our “eats” and awards ceremony.
In 2003, Drs. Nourse, Marshall and Herber lead us on a
morning field trip to the lower reaches of San Antonio Canyon and
the inner workings of San Antonio Dam. This past May, Drs.
Nourse and Marshall (Herber was there) gave us phase two: The
Geology of the Upper San Antonio Canyon. Using the steep, rugged
cliffs, just up-canyon from the Buckhorn Lodge and on the west
side of the creek, Jon Nourse recounted the early geologic history
and tectonics of the central San Gabriels. He related the outcrop
geology to some of his SHRIMP radiometric age dates. As always
there were significant questions, discussions and input by various
faculty and alumni. Dr. Marshall discussed the stream geomorphology.
There were some big changes due to the immense rainfall
received in the local mountains, more than 60 inches, over the winter
of 2004 - 05.
The lower reaches of Ice House Canyon were the second
and last stop of the morning. Dr. Nourse brought along is Master
Map. We all marveled at the detail, beauty and tremendous work
over fifteen years that it took to make this one-of-a-kind map. College
of Science Information Technology Director and Geology
Alumnus, Brent Norum (‘97), added fond field work memories and
commentary based upon his field mapping senior thesis “over the
ridge” in the upper end of Lytle Creek.
The Mount Baldy Lodge provided excellent service, good,
abundant food, and a comfortable outdoor patio area. There were
also two great cakes, obtained by Rosalie. Alumni, family and
friends started arriving just after the noon hour. We were most
pleased to see Geeta Allen (Aggerwal, (‘99), Arleen Timmons and,
Cal Poly Geology’s part time instructor Dave Curtis (‘97) attend.
This was the first time that Geeta, a science teacher, and Arleen
attended. We sincerely hope they start a reunion tradition. Also
attending for the first time was Rosalie Giroux’s husband, Raymond.
Raymond is retired and he realized his life would not be complete
with out attending at least one of our annual reunions. Miguel
Espinoza’s (Henderson – Valles Award co-recipient) brought his
extended family for the event.
The formal part of the day, the awarding of scholarships,
went well. Dr. Nourse assisted in the presentation of the Henderson
– Valles Award to Miguel. David Berry made the presentation
of the Appreciation Award to Linda Clementi.
Our next reunion is scheduled for May 13 th , 2006. Start
planning on attending. Once a venue for the reunion is selected we
will send out further details.
Page 3
RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION SEISMIC
INSTRUMENTATION GRANT
In June 2005, the Geological Sciences Department was
notified that the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation had funded a proposal,
“Enabling an Earthquake Monitoring System” for earthquake monitoring
instrumentation. The grant, in excess of $30,000, will permit
purchase of new, modern digital seismic instrumentation. For more
than 25 years, the Department’s seismographs in the display case outside
the Geology Department Office have been a site of daily interest
and rallying point for impromptu earthquake lectures. The quarter
century old equipment has been slowly failing. As of the end of
spring quarter 2005, none of the three seismographs were working.
Two of the three original seismometers were operational. The Department
and the campus were without earthquake monitoring instrumentation.
Receipt of the grant was the culmination of two years of
effort. The Department recognizes the invaluable assistance of Dr.
Mary Edwardsen of University Advancement. Her persistence, support
and excellent suggestions made this proposal a success. Dr.
Richard Pumerantz, former College of Science Development Officer,
was responsible for establishing the initial contact with Parsons and
provided direction during the grant writing process.
Purchase orders have been issued. The new instrumentation
should be operational about the time this Mylonite goes to press.
CAL POLY ALUMNUS HONORED BY
PRESIDENT ORTIZ
AT FALL CONFERENCE 2005
The three days prior to the commencement of fall quarter
are termed “Fall Conference”. The first event of every Fall Conference
is an address by Cal Poly Pomona’s president. This year, Dr.
Ortiz, chose to close his remarks by recognizing students / alumni
who exemplify the excellence and essence of all things good about Cal
Poly Pomona. Terri Amborn (’03) was among six who were so honored
for her successes by President Ortiz. Terri spent her entire day
schmoozing with top key administrators, serving in two discussion
panels and talking with faculty. She said it was a fun, but tiring day.
Terri Amborn (’03) is well deserving of such recognition.
She was the 2002 – 2003 recipient of the Margaret Claire Van Buskirk
Memorial Scholarship. She was fortunate, while an undergraduate, to
be part of a Keck Geology Consortium
summer field experience, which turned
into her senior thesis, to southern Australia.
Terri holds a B. S. degree in
Geology and a single subject teaching
science credential. She has been an
event volunteer and event captain at
the Science Olympiads held at Cal Poly
Pomona. She is now a high school
earth science teacher in the Hacienda
La Puente School District. Terri is
certainly a role model for Cal Poly
Geoscience majors and the greater
campus community.
Terri Amborn,
President J. Michael Ortiz