The Advisory Council for the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University advises the department on the formulation of long-term educational plans and ensures that the academic programs meet today's industry needs.
The Council is the oldest active advisory council at Western Michigan University. The council members are distinguished industry and academic professionals in geosciences and business who have worked throughout the U.S. and the world, all of whom have a strong interest in helping to strengthen and support environmental and geological sciences at Western Michigan University. The council's tasks can be summarized as follows:
- Advise the department regarding curriculum changes in order to meet current industry and employment trends.
- Assist in producing environmental and geological sciences graduates who are well-prepared for employment and leadership roles. See our "Recommendations to Applicants in Search of Geosciences Positions."
- Provide guidance to students through informal meetings and events.
- Advocate departmental needs and activities to the University administration.
- Collaborate with the University Office of Development and Alumni Relations on fundraising campaigns that support departmental activities.
Advisory Board officers
- Jeff Hawkins, Chair
President, Envirologic. Inc
Phone: (269) 342-1100
Expertise profile
- Richard Laton, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Professor of Hydrogeology, University of California at Fullerton
Phone: (657) 278-7514
Email: wlaton@fullerton.edu
Expertise profile - Thomas C. Kamin, Secretary
Independent Petroleum Production Geologist
Phone: (972) 874-5050
Expertise profile
Advisory Board Members
- Jerry Aiken
Independent Consultant in Industrial Minerals (rare earth's and precious metals)
Email: j.l.aiken@att.net
Expertise profile
- Christopher Amore
Science Teacher, Grosse-Pointe High School
Phone: (586) 218-4331
Email: christopher.amore@gpschools.org - Ricky Becker, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Toledo
Phone: (419) 530-4571
Email: richard.becker@utoledo.edu
- Paul Daniels, C.P.G., L.P.G., P.G
Principal, Earth Resources International, LLC
Phone: (269) 343-1181
Email: paul.daniels@earth-resources.com
Expertise profile - James J. Ferritto Jr.
Hydrogeologist, Michigan DEQ
Phone: (231) 775-2884
Expertise profile
- Harold R. Fitch
Michigan State Geologist
Phone: (517) 284-6823
Email: fitchh@michigan.gov
Expertise profile - John Fowler
Partner, Polaris Energy, Oil and Gas
Phone: (269) 588-3802
Email: jhenryfowler@yahoo.com
Expertise profile - Joshua Kirschner
Geologist
Phone: (405) 264-3708
Email: joshua.kirschner@gmail.com
- Mike Kovacich
Hydrogeologist, Tetra Tech
Phone: (734) 213-5024
Email: michael.kovacich@tetratech.com
- Adam Milewski
Assistant Professor, University of Georgia
Phone: (706) 542-4263
Email: milewski@uga.edu
Expertise profile
- Diana Morton-Thompson, C.P.G., P.G.
Principal, Earth Resources International, L.L.C.
Phone: (269) 343-1181
Email: diana@earth-resources.com
Expertise profile - Howard Nevins
President, Trey Exploration, Inc.
Phone: (812) 858-3146
Email: hanevins@gmail.com
Expertise profile - Ronald Parker
Retired President, Associated Earth Sciences, Inc.
Phone: (425) 766-6812
Email: rapman1952@gmail.com
Expertise profile - Sara Pearson
Michigan DEQ Remediation and Redevelopment
Phone: (517) 420-3219
Email: pearsons@michigan.gov
- Chris Roth
Field geologist, Bracken Engineering, Inc.
Phone: (727) 741-1794
Email: croth@brackenengineering.com
Expertise profile
- Mike Wireman
Hydrogeologist and Consultant
Phone (303) 547-6045
Email: graniteridgegw@q.com
Emeritus members
- William B. Harrison, III, Ph.D.
Director of MGRRE and Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
Phone: (269) 387-8691
Email: william.harrison_iii@wmich.edu
- Lloyd Schmaltz, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
Phone: (269) 375-2346 - Thomas Straw, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Geosciences, WMU
Email: tstraw@evansville.net
Expertise profile - John Yellich, C.P.G.
Director, Michigan Geological Survey
Phone: (269) 387-8649
Email: john.a.yellich@wmich.edu
Provisional members
- Brian Shaw, Ph.D.
Geologist and Founding Dean, Oettinger School of Science and Technology Intelligence at the National Intelligence University