New Officers

2nd Vice President

Elizabeth Wright has been teaching earth sciences to extreme non-majors at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for 22 years. She is currently Undergraduate Division Chair of the School. She has been active in the Geoscience Education Division of GSA, serving on its executive board from 2001-06, and as Chair in 2004-05. Beth received her BA in Geology and Mathematics from Oberlin College and her Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Her research interests include geoscience education, teaching of evolution, geoscience and art, geochemical studies of archaeological artifacts, and geochemistry of mantle processes and heterogeneity in South and Central Pacific.

Secretary/Treasurer

Gene Pearson has been teaching freshman seminars, earth history, geomorphology, sedimentary petrology and paleontology at the University of the Pacific since 1971. He served as Second Vice-President [1996-2001] and President [2001-2003] of the Far Western Section. Gene received his B.A. from Pomona College and his Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming. Gene is currently completing his first term as NAGT Secretary/treasurer during which the NAGT endowment policies were developed and implemented.

Councilors

Andy Buddington has been teaching earth sciences at Spokane Community College since 1993. He served as the Vice President of the Pacific Northwest Section from 1999 to 2001 and as President of the NW Section from 2002 until 2005. Andy received his BS in Geology from the University of Washington and his MS in Geology from Western Washington University. He has been active both in NAGT and GSA on various earth science education related issues and has co-chaired GSA sessions on teaching local geology as well as geologic resources and climate change.

Bruce Herbert has been teaching biogeochemistry and geoscience education at Texas A&M University since 1992 where he currently serves as Assistant Department Head and Graduate Coordinator. He received his BA in Chemistry from Colgate University, and his MS and PhD in Soil Science from the University of California - Riverside. He has been a part of NAGT's Distinguished Speaker Series since 2005 and has received several awards for teaching and research. Bruce's current research interests include human understanding of complex earth systems, the professional development of faculty and teachers and the design of programs that promote student learning and develop synergy between educational and research activities.