Rich Whittecar in the Badlands of South Dakota examining buried soils and Tertiary river sediments.
Rich Whittecar has been named a GSA Fellow in recognition of his life work as an environmental geoscientist. Rich joined Old Dominion University in 1979.
A major portion of his research reconstructs the geologic history of a variety of landscape features across Virginia and the Carolinas that formed when climates were much different than today. In addition, Rich works with a team of scientists and engineers developing better tools to quantify the flow of groundwater through wetlands.
Rich directly mentored 34 OEAS graduate students, nearly all of whom still use their geological backgrounds working in local, state, and federal agencies, in consulting firms, and as teachers and professors, as well as serving on 66 graduate committees at four universities.
ODU honored Rich for his teaching by naming him a University Professor twice. Now in transition to Emeritus status after 40 years of service to OEAS, Rich continues to research and publish.