If you are interested, please contact Brian Bodenbender at bodenbender@hope.edu.

Special Funds Support Summer Research Students

Rex Johnson Student Research Fund – This fund was created in 2011 by Global Remediation Technologies Inc. to honor Rex Johnson, a valued employee. The fund is helping to support Rachel Medina, who is using digital photogrammetry to record rock outcrops in 3D. This work can help monitor changes in landscapes.

Holleman Geology and Environmental Science Student Research Fund– Gifts to this fund from Hope College alumni Bill and Betty Holleman have enabled Connor Mulcahy to study the dynamics of sand dune changes along Lake Michigan. Connor’s work will contribute data to an effort to make mathematical models of how sand dunes grow and move.

Smies Geology Student Research Fund – Gifts from alumnus Ric and Ann Smies fully supported Rachel Medina’s summer research last year, and in combination with other funds are continuing to support her work on 3D computer modeling this year.

Nicholas VerHey '75 Geology Summer Research Fund –Family, classmates, and colleagues at Collarini Energy Staffing, Inc., created this fund to honor the memory of Nick VerHey. As the first endowed fund dedicated to students in the GES Department, the VerHey Fund has enabled numerous students to conduct research and present their results at national professional meetings. Last fall, the fund helped 9 students attend the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, where they gave research posters and oral presentations. This summer the fund is also helping support Nathan Erber, who is examining plant macrofossils from local bogs to study local ecological and climatic changes.