HWS News
22 October 2019 • Research • STEM HWS Hosts State's Geological Association
The HWS Department of Geoscience hosted the New York State Geological Association's annual meeting this fall. The event was held over three days, from Oct. 4 through 6, and included a range of outings highlighting the regions geology. Assistant Vineyard Manager at Kemmeter Wines Daniel Budman '15 was the keynote speaker and discussed the terroir (the natural environment in which wine is produced) of the Finger Lakes.
"The meeting is essentially a field-trip hosting event," says Associate Professor of Geoscience David Kendrick, who helped plan the event. The main events are the field trips, a mixer on Friday evening and a dinner and keynote address.
Field trips arranged and hosted by HWS Geoscience faculty included a trip focused on the ecology and geomorphology of Zurich Bog, led by Professor of Geoscience Nan Crystal Arens, and a Seneca Lake research excursion aboard the William Scandling, hosted by Associate Professor of Geoscience David Finkelstein and Professor of Environmental Studies John Halfman.
Other trips included an exploration of the glacial history of the Cayuga Basin, led by Daniel E. Karig, a professor of geological sciences at Cornell University, and discussion of the environmental impacts of natural- and anthropogenic-induced change in the Tully Valley of Central New York by William M. Kappel, scientist emeritus at the New York Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey.
"Having the annual meeting at HWS," says Kendrick, "is beneficial for both the Colleges and the profession. Hosting NYSGA brings professionals to campus and the region, so they may experience and learn firsthand about the geological history and the extraordinary landscape," he says. "It's also a great opportunity for our students to explore some of the details of our landscape with professionals and to network."
Budman earned his bachelors degree from Hobart with a double major in geoscience and environmental studies and a minor in sustainable community development. Before serving as assistant vineyard manager, he apprenticed as a viticulture technician with Constellation Brands in Napa, California and Marlborough, New Zealand.