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While the classroom is where many undergraduates are first
introduced to the geosciences, the field is where many students’
passions are kindled. When you pick up a rock or trace minerals
deep into the earth, science comes alive. Since its inception, GSA
has dedicated itself to enriching the geosciences by cultivating
and supporting aspiring scientists. One of the most important
ways GSA does this is through fieldwork opportunities, which the
GSA Foundation proudly supports through its Field Camp
Opportunities Fund. The importance of the field in inspiring
future geoscientists cannot be overstated. As Dr. John M. Proffett,
the first recipient of the Geologic Mapping Award in Honor of
Florence Bascom and an avid proponent of fieldwork for geosci-
entists, states, “In geology, which is based primarily on interpreta- my future.”
tion and explanation of observations in the field, geologic map-
ping is the most important and effective method of recording and
organizing these observations.” Accordingly, he argues that for stu-
dents, “field courses need to be a major part of the curriculum.”
For many students, however, the financial cost of pursuing
fieldwork can be a burden. The GSA Foundation’s Field Camp
Opportunities Fund allows GSA to provide financial support for
aspiring geoscientists so they can hone their field skills and dis-
cover their interests without financial strain.
This was true for recent University of Pittsburgh graduate,
Corinne Kuebler: “Receiving the GSA/ExxonMobil Field Camp
Scholarship was an incredibly rewarding and humbling experi-
ence. Since field camp was a mandatory requirement in finishing
my geology degree, the burden of cost weighed heavily on me.
The financial support given to me by this scholarship provided a
great relief and let me fully appreciate how challenging yet valu-
able field camp was.”
Corinne Kuebler, 2016 GSA/ExxonMobil Field
Camp Scholarship Awardee, poses under the
Willwood Formation while mapping the South
Fork Detachment near Cody, Wyoming.
Baylee Kushner, a recent graduate of Slippery Rock University,
echoes this sentiment: “I was so relieved to have the financial bur-
den of the latter half of summer removed and powered through the
rest of camp to receive a high grade and assessment by my
instructors and peers.”
For both Corinne and Baylee, these field camp experiences
proved formative for their professional futures. As Corinne states,
“Field camp showed me that I am passionate about geology and
chemistry which changed my focus in looking for higher educa-
tion programs. The opportunity granted to me due to this scholar-
ship enriched my life and propelled me on a positive path towards
In Baylee’s case, “The financial support from this scholarship,
while my driving reason for applying, has actually panned out to
be the least important benefit from the experience overall. I have
been overjoyed by the opportunity to complete an internship
under a USGS scientist as a result of this funding. This work will
greatly expand my lab experiences and professional network, as
well as allow me to present the results of the research at a future
GSA session.”
Please consider supporting aspiring geoscientists like Corinne
and Baylee as they discover their passions in the field by contrib-
uting to the GSA Foundation’s Field Camp Opportunities Fund.
Additionally, you can establish a named Field Camp Scholarship,
structured similar to GSA’s popular named graduate student
research grants, in honor of an important mentor in your life. Your
contribution will make a lasting impact in the life of a student and
to the future of the geosciences. Contact Bill Tortorici at +1-303-
357-1007 or btortorici@geosociety.org to learn more.
Baylee Kushner, 2016 GSA/ExxonMobil Field
Camp Scholarship Awardee, bags a sample
from a previously unmapped unit of shale dur-
ing her field camp experience at Crow Peak.
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