DEPARTMENT NEWS

RANDY KERTES '84 INDUCTED INTO THE RIDER UNIVERSITY STAIRWAY OF FAME

Randy S. Kertes '84, a Rider geosciences graduate and GEMS adjunct instructor, was inducted into the Rider University Stairway of Fame on June 13, 2009. The Science Stairway of Fame, located in the research wing of the Science and Technology Center, honors individuals who were exemplary students and who have achieved significant professional success in their chosen careers following graduation. The honorees are also loyal and generous supporters of Rider’s science programs.

While at Rider, Randy worked closely with Drs. Richard Alexander and Josepeh Nadeau, who instilled in Randy his long-standing commitment to developing sustainable projects for the benefit of individuals and the environment. After graduating, Randy received his M.S. degree in geology from the University of Cincinnati in 1995, where he worked on an in-depth analysis of sedimentary textures. During the induction ceremony, Dr. Jonathan Yavelow, Assistent Dean for Science, also announced that the University is moving forward on the construction of the Richard Alexander Memorial Marine Aquarium Laboratory. The facility will be named in memory of Dr. Alexander, the beloved former Assistant Dean for Science, GEMS Chair, Professor of Marine Sciences, and creator of the Science Stairway of Fame.

With more than 20 years of  professional experience in the environmental consulting and land development fields, Randy is now a Senior Project Manager with Sadat Associates, an environmental consulting firm located in Trenton, NJ. Over the years, he has developed a broad background and expertise in the environmental sciences, particularly soil, lake, and groundwater remediation, watershed restoration, environmental assessments, and air quality issues. In addition, Randy has provided expert testimony relating to environmental remediation and the minimization of adverse impacts from residential and commercial development.

A valued member of the Rider University Science Advisory Board and a highly respected GEMS adjunct instructor, Randy also was the creator of, and driving force behind, the very successful $100,000 grant proposal to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that funded the multidisciplinary and innovative Centennial Watershed Lake Project on campus. As a result, he has been previously honored by Rider University and the Rider University Alumni Association for his many contributions to Rider and GEMS. Our congratulations to Randy for this new and richly-deserved honor and recognition.

DR. DANIEL DRUCKENBROD: THE NEW GEMS FACULTY MEMBER WHO CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES

Probably the single most significant event of the 2008-2009 academic year was GEMS' highly successful search and hire of a new full-time faculty member, Dr. Daniel L. Druckenbrod, as an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science. Dan, who will replace Dr. Richard Alexander and Dr. William Gallagher on a permanent basis, was the unanimous top choice from the four excellent finalists (out of over 80 applicants from across the nation and around the world) who interviewed and presented their research on campus to GEMS faculty and students.

Dan's research and teaching experience are very impressive, particularly for someone still in the relatively early stages of their academic career. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in 2003, was an Instructor of Biology at Sweet Briar College in 2001, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Environmental Sciences Division of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 2003 to 2005, and an Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia from 2005 to 2009. The recipient of many honors, awards, and grants for his scholarly and research efforts and the author of dozens of scientific publications, papers, and presentations, Dan uses tree rings, computer models, historical documents, and field surveys to study how forests and their environments change over long time scales. His most recent projects investigate forest dynamics since the colonial era at significant historical sites, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plantation and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Plantation. In addition, Dan strongly encourages undergraduate students to participate in his research or to develop their own research projects on environmental science topics. Previous student projects have led to presentations at statewide and national scientific conferences. Dan also is a peer reviewer for numerous scholarly journals and for the National Science Foundation.

With Dan's arrival, Dr. William Gallagher has ably completed his responsibilities as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the 2008-2009 academic year. In every way, he was an outstanding addition to our full-time faculty and enhanced our programmatic offerings across the board. Fortunately for GEMS, Bill will maintain his affiliation with the department as a Rider University Science and Technology Advanced Research Institute (STARI) Fellow. He also will continue to serve GEMS as an Adjunct Associate Professor, primarily teaching our Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles and Marine Life Through Time courses.

We could not be happier, or more fortunate, to welcome Dan to GEMS, while also having Bill remain as an active, contributing member of the department.