Spring Convocation activities include earth science talk, open house in Wonderland
In conjunction with Montana State University Office of the Provost’s Spring Convocation, the community is invited to attend public lecture “Yellowstone on My Mind” on Thursday, January 9th. Cathy Whitlock, MSU Regents Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Science, will present from 2–3pm in Reynolds Recital Hall.
Whitlock is an internationally respected Earth scientist who studies past climate and environmental change. She joined the MSU faculty in 2004 and established the MSU Paleoecology Lab, which focuses on reconstructing vegetation, fire and climate histories to understand how past ecosystems responded to climate change in order to better understand how ecosystems may respond to future climate change. Her scientific discoveries on past ecosystem dynamics during the 1988 fires in Yellowstone National Park have informed resource management decisions and conservation efforts and led to new methods for reconstructing long-term fire histories – techniques that are now used worldwide. The lab also supports post-doctorate, graduate and undergraduate students and visiting scientists from around the world.
After Whitlock’s lecture, all are invited to the MSU Library Open House from 3 to 6 p.m. This year’s open house theme is Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Food and music will be available as the library celebrates diverse cultures and the resources available on campus.
Following Whitlock’s lecture, the annual MSU Library Open House will be held from 3–6pm. The 2020 theme is Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, in line with the event’s yearly celebration of a select work of literature.
Faculty, staff, graduate students, and Bozeman community members are invited to enjoy finger foods, beverages and music while networking and learning about services and resources offered by the MSU Library and its partners. Fantastic door prizes will be offered.
These events are made possible with support from the Provost’s office, Friends of MSU Library and other campus partners. Find additional information about the 2020 Spring Convocation at www.montana.edu. •