About Barbara J. Tewksbury
Barb Tewksbury, the Upson Chair of Public Discourse and professor of geosciences, is a structural geologist and lead principal investigator of the Desert Eyes Project, which combines analysis of satellite imagery with field work and geophysics to study bedrock structures in the Western Desert of Egypt. Her team discovered the first extensive on-land exposure of polygonal faults, a style of faults previously studied almost exclusively in the subsurface using marine seismic data. For the past decade, she and her Egyptian colleagues, along with more than 20 Hamilton students, have mapped a network of synclines in the region. Tewksbury, who joined the Hamilton faculty in 1978, is a leader in national geoscience education. She has conducted more than 150 workshops for faculty across the country and abroad, and was co-principal investigator of a 15-year National Science Foundation-funded education project. Having served as associate editor of the Journal of African Earth Sciences and Geosphere, she is a lead classroom instructor for NASA astronaut geoscience training and one of four primary field trainers. She earned Hamilton’s Career Achievement Award in 2017, and holds a doctorate and master’s degree from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University.
Barbara J. Tewksbury’s Impactful Career at Hamilton
Barbara J. Tewksbury, the Upson Chair of Public Discourse and professor of geosciences at Hamilton, has had a remarkable career spanning over 45 years. Throughout her time at Hamilton, she has made significant contributions to the Geosciences Department, shaping its emphasis on encouraging students to major in geology regardless of their career interests.
What will you miss most about your work as a professor?
One thing that Tewksbury will greatly miss about her work as a professor is the opportunity to work with wonderful students. Whether it is in the classroom, lab, or the field, she cherishes the experience of guiding and mentoring students. Tewksbury believes that the interactions with students have been the highlight of her career, and she deeply values the opportunity to facilitate their learning and growth in the field of geology.
Tewksbury also expresses her fondness for the joy of learning new things as the field of geology has advanced over the past 45 years. She enjoys the challenge of figuring out how to effectively teach and engage students in these new advancements in ways that are interesting and relevant to their lives.
Was there any one defining moment of your career at Hamilton — something you are most proud to have accomplished?
Tewksbury takes great pride in having helped shape a decades-long emphasis in the Geosciences Department at Hamilton. She is particularly proud of the department’s efforts to encourage any student interested in the Earth to major in geology, regardless of their career interests. Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of designing courses and curricula that are interesting, relevant, and welcoming for all majors, while also providing a strong foundation for future geoscientists.
Additionally, Tewksbury highlights her involvement in the development of the 15-year-long, NSF-funded program called “On the Cutting Edge.” This program has played a crucial role in transforming undergraduate geoscience education in the United States. Tewksbury, along with three other primary investigators, worked tirelessly to change the face of geoscience education and ensure that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future endeavors in the field.
What has changed the most since you came to Hamilton? What has stayed essentially the same?
Tewksbury reflects on the changes that have taken place since she first arrived at Hamilton in 1978, which coincided with the merger between Hamilton and Kirkland. She acknowledges that the merger brought about challenges for both students and faculty, as the two institutions had different aims, cultures, and expectations.
However, Tewksbury acknowledges that Hamilton has evolved significantly since then, and in many positive ways. The college has transformed into a cohesive and unified institution, distinct from the fragmented nature of the merged institutions in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Despite these changes, Tewksbury highlights one aspect of Hamilton that has remained consistent throughout her career: the incredible support and encouragement she has received for her innovative and interesting endeavors. She expresses gratitude for the opportunities she has had to pursue unique teaching and research projects, as well as the freedom to explore new and innovative approaches in her field.
What’s next for you?
Although Tewksbury is retiring from her position as a professor, she plans to remain involved in geologic pursuits. She currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of African Earth Sciences and has upcoming research on the work conducted in the Western Desert of Egypt with two Hamilton students.
Besides her academic pursuits, Tewksbury has a passion for making custom-made kilts and playing bagpipes with the Mohawk Valley Frasers. She is also looking forward to spending quality time with her grandson, daughter, and son-in-law, further embracing the joys of family life.
Additional Piece: The Transformative Power of Geoscience Education
Barbara J. Tewksbury’s illustrious career at Hamilton is a testament to the transformative power of geoscience education. Through her dedication to teaching and her involvement in groundbreaking research projects, Tewksbury has left an indelible impact on both her students and the broader field of geology.
The field of geoscience is incredibly diverse and encompasses various sub-disciplines such as structural geology, environmental geology, and paleontology, among others. By encouraging students with a range of career interests to explore geology, Tewksbury has helped foster a dynamic and inclusive community within the Geosciences Department at Hamilton.
One of the key aspects of Tewksbury’s teaching philosophy is the emphasis on designing courses and curricula that are not only academically rigorous but also engaging and relevant to students’ lives. By making geology accessible and interesting, she has successfully attracted students from various disciplines, ensuring that geoscience education is not limited to aspiring geoscientists alone.
Tewksbury’s efforts to revolutionize geoscience education extend beyond the Hamilton campus. Her involvement in the development of the NSF-funded program, “On the Cutting Edge,” has had a far-reaching impact on geoscience education throughout the United States. By conducting over 150 workshops for faculty across the country and abroad, Tewksbury has disseminated innovative teaching practices, empowering educators to create meaningful learning experiences for students.
The importance of geoscience education lies not only in its ability to inspire future geoscientists but also in its capacity to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific literacy skills. The study of geology enables students to understand the complex processes that shape our planet, fostering a sense of awe and appreciation for the natural world.
Furthermore, geoscience education plays a vital role in addressing pressing societal challenges such as climate change, natural resource management, and environmental sustainability. By equipping students with a strong foundation in geology, educators like Tewksbury are empowering the next generation of leaders and decision-makers to tackle these global issues.
In conclusion, Barbara J. Tewksbury’s career as a professor of geosciences at Hamilton has been characterized by her passion for teaching, her dedication to transformative education, and her commitment to advancing the field of geology. Her impact on the Geosciences Department and geoscience education as a whole is undeniable, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of geoscientists.
Summary:
Barbara J. Tewksbury, the Upson Chair of Public Discourse and professor of geosciences at Hamilton, has had a remarkable career spanning over 45 years. Throughout her time at Hamilton, she has made significant contributions to the Geosciences Department, shaping its emphasis on encouraging students to major in geology regardless of their career interests. Tewksbury’s impact extends beyond Hamilton, as she has been involved in the development of the NSF-funded program “On the Cutting Edge,” which has transformed geoscience education in the United States. Her retirement from Hamilton does not mark the end of her involvement in geology, as she plans to continue her research and remain engaged in the field. Tewksbury’s career showcases the transformative power of geoscience education and the lasting impact educators can have on their students and the broader field.
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BARBARA J. TEWKSBURY
What will you miss most about your work as a professor?
Absolutely the thing I will miss the most will be working with wonderful students, whether it is in the classroom, lab, or, especially, in the field. I will also miss the fun of learning new things as the field of geology has advanced over the past 45 years and figuring out how to help students learn about them as well in effective, interesting, and relevant ways.
Was there any one defining moment of your career at Hamilton — something you are most proud to have accomplished?
I am most proud of having helped shape a decades-long emphasis in the Geosciences Department, not only on encouraging any student interested in the Earth to major in geo regardless of their career interests, but also on designing both courses and curricula to be interesting, relevant, and welcoming for all majors while still preparing future geoscientists with an appropriate undergraduate background.
Beyond Hamilton, I am most proud of being one of four PIs who developed the 15-year-long, NSF-funded program On the Cutting Edge, which helped change the face of undergraduate geoscience education in the U.S.
What has changed the most since you came to Hamilton? What has stayed essentially the same?
I arrived at Hamilton in the fall of 1978, the year of the merger between Hamilton and Kirkland. To say that things were difficult for both students and faculty coming from two institutions with such different aims, cultures, and expectations would be an understatement. No institution is ever perfect, but Hamilton has evolved significantly, and in many good ways, to become a single college that is very different from the mashed-together institution of the late ’70s and early ’80s.
The one thing that has never changed at Hamilton is the incredible support and encouragement I have received for doing interesting and innovative things, both in teaching and in research. Over the years, I have done dozens of external reviews of other geo departments across the country, and I know the kinds of challenges that face many faculty elsewhere. I am profoundly aware of just how lucky I have been to have had a career at Hamilton.
What’s next for you?
I am continuing to be involved in things geologic. I am an associate editor for the Journal of African Earth Sciences, and I have at least one paper to write on the work that two Hamilton students and I (Erin Pimentel ’22 and Will Bresnahan ’22) have done in the Western Desert of Egypt. Beyond that, I will keep making custom-made kilts, playing bagpipes with the Mohawk Valley Frasers, and having great fun with our grandson, daughter, and son-in-law.
About Barbara J. Tewksbury
Barb Tewksbury, the Upson Chair of Public Discourse and professor of geosciences, is a structural geologist and lead principal investigator of the Desert Eyes Project, which combines analysis of satellite imagery with field work and geophysics to study bedrock structures in the Western Desert of Egypt. Her team discovered the first extensive on-land exposure of polygonal faults, a style of faults previously studied almost exclusively in the subsurface using marine seismic data. For the past decade, she and her Egyptian colleagues, along with more than 20 Hamilton students, have mapped a network of synclines in the region. Tewksbury, who joined the Hamilton faculty in 1978, is a leader in national geoscience education. She has conducted more than 150 workshops for faculty across the country and abroad, and was co-principal investigator of a 15-year National Science Foundation-funded education project. Having served as associate editor of the Journal of African Earth Sciences and Geosphere, she is a lead classroom instructor for NASA astronaut geoscience training and one of four primary field trainers. She earned Hamilton’s Career Achievement Award in 2017, and holds a doctorate and master’s degree from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University.
https://www.hamilton.edu/news/stories/professors-retiring-tewksbury-rayne-collett-jones
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