The Department of Geological Sciences at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has secured a $1 million endowment, making it possible to establish a graduate program of prominence in hydrogeology.
The Bert and Ethel Conrey Endowment will provide the basis for a Chair in Hydrogeology. Bert Conrey, the first geology faculty member at CSULB, and his wife, Ethel, started the endowment in 1999 with a $600,000 estate gift.
Following the Conreys' donation, faculty, staff and alumni contributed to the endowment, but it was the large generous annual donations from the Carl W. Johnson Foundation that allowed the department to reach the $1 million goal needed to create the endowed chair. The goal-topping $30,000 donation from the Carl W. Johnson Foundation was received and celebrated on November 15 at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Fellows Colloquium.
"We are thankful for the commitment, collaboration and generosity demonstrated by Dr. and Mrs. Conrey, faculty, staff, alumni and the Carl W. Johnson Foundation," Department Chair Stan Finney said. "Without their support this endowment would not be a reality. We currently are conducting a national faculty search for an established hydrogeologist to fill the endowed chair position and are attracting outstanding candidates."
The geology department decided several years ago to use the endowment in the discipline of hydrogeology, which is the study of both groundwater and surface water — their distribution, flow, quality, contamination and exploitation. Hydrogeology was selected because water constitutes the most critical resource for humanity worldwide as well as in Southern California and water issues are of increasing importance as demand outstrips supplies, particularly in arid or drought-stricken regions. In addition, employment opportunities for hydrogeologists are outstanding, and many students want to obtain graduate training in this science, yet few universities offer comprehensive and rigorous programs.
The experienced hydrogeologist appointed to the Conrey Endowed Chair will be expected to develop a comprehensive graduate program that will be recognized for the quality of its graduates and the expertise of its faculty. The chair’s expertise will be supplemented by the faculty talent and technical facilities already present at CSULB.
For more information about the Bert and Ethel Conrey Endowed Chair in Hydrogeology, visit the geology department employment Web page.