Jeff Schroeder (MS Geology, 2003)

I am starting the last year of my PhD at the University of Kansas. The focus of my research is to create a time-comprehensive tectonic model for the Fish Lake Valley pull-apart system in western Nevada over the last 10 Ma. In addition to my research, I am one of a handful of grad students and faculty that help run and maintain the KU Geology isotope geochemistry lab. Our facilities include an automated (U-Th)/He laser extraction and QMS line, a clean lab for mineral dissolution, an ICP-MS, a TIMS machine, and a mineral separation lab. My experience at KU has been very rewarding, but at the same time challenging. Juggling research and teaching at CWU definitely prepared me for the rigors of a larger research university.

Upon the completion of my dissertation, I have accepted a position as a geologist with EnCana Oil and Gas in Denver, CO. I spent the last 2 summers as a geology intern for EnCana and I am looking forward to joining their team full-time next year.

I am living in Lawrence, KS, which is a really fun little town. While it's larger than Ellensburg, there are a lot of small town attributes that Lawrence shares. In my free time, I have been training and racing with the KU Cycling Team. The last three years, we have hosted the collegiate road cycling national championships. This spring, I finally worked myself high enough on the team totem pole to participate in the national championships. After the cycling season is over in late spring, I transition to triathlons.

I look back very fondly on my days at Central. From the field trips to Craigs Hill, Mitchell, and Hawaii to all the friendly, supportive faculty, I am so grateful that I chose CWU Geology (or maybe it's the other way around).