ESS annual alumni awardee profiles: Julia Kelson and Donna Whitney

At the 2026 Awards Ceremony we recognized two alumnae, Julia Kelson and Donna Whitney, whose careers embody the department’s spirit of discovery, service and innovation. We asked our awardees to share parts of their story, with excerpts provided below. Each reflects the curiosity, perseverance and impact we think characterize our graduates. By honoring our former students, we hope to inspire today’s students to strive for both personal and professional success.

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One donation, one big impact

Geologic outcrops provide critical information about a wide range of Earth processes, including tectonics, sedimentary transport and climate. Former undergraduate student Jade Wells (2026) and Assistant Professor Akshay Mehra were awarded funds from the Petrie Endowed Fund for Undergraduate Research to create 3D reconstructions of outcrops for use in teaching digital mapping skills.

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A critical industry: ESS undergrads travel to the AME's annual 'Round-up' conference

In January 2026, five ESS undergraduates and Associate Professor John Stone travelled to Vancouver, Canada, to attend the Association for Mineral Exploration's annual "Round-up" conference. The Round-up is a student-focused mineral industry conference, job fair and networking event for early-career geologists interested in the mineral industry. For the ESS students who attended, this was a chance to meet and talk to geologists working in the industry, discover the breadth of exploration science and technology, and learn about the wide range of career opportunities in the field.

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38 Years, 50,000 Students, One Extraordinary Classroom Legacy

Teaching Professor Terry Swanson has taught more than 50,000 students, a truly staggering number, through ESS 101: Introduction to Geology and Societal Impacts. Professor Swanson arrived at UW in the autumn of 1988 as a Ph.D. student, working with Professor Stephan Porter, a leading expert in Pleistocene glaciation and then-director of the UW Quaternary Research Center. We interviewed Terry and asking him to share his reflections on 30+ years of teaching and consider the impact he has had on all the students who have taken ESS 101.

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The lasting impact of recruitment

Something as simple as an invitation to participate can change the course of an individual’s career and their impact on the geoscience community. From 1971 to 1974, seven Black graduate students were invited to apply to the UW Department of Geological Sciences, five of whom entered in 1973. To better understand the outcomes, current ESS graduate student Claire Jensen and Professor Emerita Jody Bourgeois recently interviewed four of these students, asking about their experience, why they chose UW and their careers following graduation.

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Geoclub spring break trip showcases geology close to home

In March 2025, UW Geoclub's spring break trip took students through southern Washington and along the Oregon coast, through the Columbia Gorge, Wallula Gap and the Columbia Basin and home across the Cascades. The trip was a reminder of all the spectacular geology close to home, and the events that have shaped the landscape and history of the Pacific Northwest, from millions of years in the past up to the present day.

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Remembering Robert Crosson

Professor Emeritus Robert (Bob) Crosson passed away on April 29, 2025 at the age of 86.
Bob received an undergraduate degree in geology from UW in 1961. After completing his Ph.D. 

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A New Era of Engagement

In 2024, as the Department of Earth and Space Sciences celebrated its 130th anniversary, we also looked ahead to the future. Recognizing the need for strategic guidance, outside perspectives and strong advocates, the department established a new Advisory Board to help navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. 

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