The
History of the Hofstra University
Geology Department
(1935 - 2004)
Drs. Bennington, Radcliffe, Wolff, and
Merguerian, March 2004
Compiled by Dr. Fred
Wolff – Student and Faculty Member: 1957 – 2004
Edited and Digitized by Dr. Charles Merguerian
– Faculty Member Since 1981
Web Format by Dr.
J Bret Bennington – Faculty Member Since 1993
© 2004
THE
HISTORY OF THE HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Departmental
Time Scale |
CENOZOIC
(Yet to be) |
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THE
ARCHEAN (1935 – 1947)
Academic Year
1935–39
Dr. George I.
Finlay – Professor of
Geology.
A.B., Harvard
(1898); Ph.D., Columbia University (1903)
Hofstra
College was an extension of New York University during this interval. There was no Hofstra Bulletin. Dr. Finlay was an old timer that probably came to
the Hofstra campus to teach a physical science course, to satisfy the science
requirement for students.
1939–40
George H.
Burnham – Assistant
Professor of Physics.
A.B., University
of Colorado; M.S. New York University.
Jacob M.
Schmidt – Assistant
Instructor.
A.B., Phillips
University; M.S., University of Oklahoma.
Along
with Dr. Finlay, Professor Burnham
taught Physical Science 1–2 (a year course). Graduating Hofstra seniors needed a science course and this
was it!
1940–41
George H.
Burnham – Assistant
Professor of Physics.
Jacob M.
Schmidt – Assistant
Instructor.
At
this time, our offerings included Geology 1 (Physical) – Geology 2 (Historical)
course; 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab (4 credits).
1941–42
George H.
Burnham – Assistant
Professor of Physics.
Jacob M.
Schmidt – Assistant
Instructor.
Dr. John T.
Hack – Instructor in
Geology.
A.B. (1935); A.M.
(1938), Ph.D. (1940), all from Harvard University.
The
Geology 1–2 course ran for the whole year. Dr. Hack
must have been pretty good – as he received all of his degrees from Harvard!
1942–43
George H.
Burnham – Assistant
Professor of Physics.
Jacob M.
Schmidt – Assistant
Instructor.
Dr. John T.
Hack – Instructor in
Geology.
By
this time we offered Geology 1 and Geology 2 courses (4 credits each).
1943–45
No
Instructors/No Courses.
Last
two years of World War II – very few students and fewer instructors.
1945–46
Dr. Loyal F.
Ollmann – Chairman of
Mathematics.
A.B., Ripon
College (1935); M.S., University of Wisconsin (1937), Ph.D., University of
Michigan (1939).
Dr.
Ollmann taught Physical
Science 1 and 2 (3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab – 4 credits). He was Chairman of the Mathematics
Department and remained in this position until 1966.
Dr. Loyal F. Ollmann, 1956.
1946–48
No Instructor
listed.
General
Geology 1 and 2 Courses offered (4 credits). Four biology courses and 8 advanced geology courses also
offered for a B.A. Biology – Geology specialization. Instructor was probably Henry A. Curtis.
THE
PROTEROZOIC (1947 – 1957)
Start of Geology
Program – Curtisian Epoch
Starting
in 1947, the Geology Program included the following courses:
Physical Geology
– 1
Historical
Geology – 2
Meteorology – 11
Conservation of
Natural Resources – 12
Climatology – 13
Physical Geology
of U.S. – 14
Geology and
Geography of Long Island – 15
Coal and Oil
Geology – 17
Structural
Geology – 18
Sedimentation –
19
Economic Geology
of Metals – 20
Engineering
Geology – 21
Mineralogy – 31
Petrology – 32
Geomorphology –
33
Paleontology –
34
Stratigraphy –
36
Economic Geology
– 41
Special Problems
– 43–44
Military
Mapping– 46
That’s
20 courses! As new ones were added, some were dropped. Only 12 to 14 were in the bulletin at
any one time.
Curtisian Epoch
Epoch marked by
start of instructor continuity with 7 years of Henry A. Curtis and B.A. specialization with
Biology–Geology or Chemistry–Geology.
Henry A. Curtis started the geology program through the influence of
William H. Kay, Lynn Bogue Hunt, and other students.
Henry A. Curtis, 1951.
1947–48
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
Geology.
A.B., Colgate
University (1942), M.S. Hofstra University (1955).
1948–49
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
Geology
No
Geology degree offered but a Biology–Geology specialization.
1949–50
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
charge.
Austin D.
Brixey Jr. – Instructor.
A.B., University
of Virginia (1941), A.M. Columbia University (1948).
Hofstra
offers the B.A. biology–geology or chemistry–geology specialization.
1950–51
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
charge.
Taught Geology
15 which included a $25 fee for plane fare across Long Island.
Joseph A.
Puig – Instructor who
taught hard rock courses.
A.B. New York
University (1948).
Robert A.
Finks – Lecturer.
B.S., Queens
College, C.U.N.Y. (1947)
Dr.
Robert Finks became a paleontologist and professor at Queens College from 1955
to 2002). The Nexus Yearbook
finally has pictures of students with their degree and major listed).
Henry A. Curtis, 1952.
1951–52
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
charge.
Joseph A.
Puig – Instructor.
Hofstra
Geology offered Geology 1 and 2 plus 8 of 14 advanced courses toward the B.A.
Biology–Geology or Chemistry–Geology specialization.
1952–53
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
charge.
Humbert Revel – Instructor.
B.A., New York
University (1949).
Hofstra
Geology continued to offer Geology 1 and 2 plus 8 of 14 advanced courses toward
the B.A. Biology–Geology or Chemistry–Geology specialization.
Humbert S. Revel, 1955.
1953–54
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
charge.
Humbert S.
Revel – Instructor.
James J.
Geraghty – Lecturer.
B.S., City
College of N.Y. (1949).
James
Geraghty received a M.A. from Columbia University became a hydrologist, and
started the (now international) geotechnical engineering firm of Geraghty and
Miller.
Henry A. Curtis, 1953.
1954–55
Henry A.
Curtis – Instructor in
charge.
James J.
Geraghty – Lecturer.
Humbert S.
Revel – Instructor.
Nathaniel M.
Perlmutter – Lecturer.
B.A., Brooklyn
College (1941); M.A., Columbia University (1953).
N.
M. Perlmutter worked as a hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey. The Geology Club has its first yearbook
picture that includes Humbert Revel and 8 students! (See our accompanying volume on the History of the Graduates
and Geology Club.)
1955–56
Dr. Roger H.
Charlier – Chairman and
Special Lecturer.
B.S., Liege
University (1943), License/Science, Bruxelles University (1945), Ph.D., Friedrich–Alexandra
(1947); Professional Geologist Certificate, McGill University (1953).
Dr. William
J. Croft – Instructor in
charge.
B.S. (1950),
M.A. (1952), Ph.D. (1954); all from Columbia University.
Humbert S.
Revel – Instructor.
Seymour
Tilson – Instructor.
B.S., Brooklyn
College (1949).
Humbert S. Revel, 1956.
Dr. Roger H. Charlier, 1956
1956–57
Dr. Roger H.
Charlier – Chairman.
Humbert S.
Revel – Instructor.
Olivia V.
Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
A.B., Brooklyn
College (1943); A. M., Columbia University (1948).
Department
still had the B.A. specialization in Biology–Geology for the last year.
Olivia V.
Haselau–Perry, 1957.
THE
PALEOZOIC (1957 – 1975)
Includes Durhamian
and Wolffian Epochs
Dr.
Forrest Durham
established the modern foundation for the Geology Department and the geology
major. Start of Chairman
continuity and choice of B.A. or B.S. in Geology.
Dr. Forrest Durham, 1958.
1957–58
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor and Chairman of Geology.
A.B. (1948),
A.M. (1950), both from Cornell University; Ph.D., Syracuse University (1954).
Dr. Roger
Charlier – Special
Lecturer (on leave).
Humbert S.
Revel – Instructor.
Olivia V.
Haselau–Perry –
Instructor.
The
department offers a B.A. degree in Geology with students required to have 32
semester hours of geology courses to graduate. A Geography program was introduced by Dr. Charlier in
1957. The courses included:
Regional World
Geography 11
Principles of
Geography 14
Geography and
Geology of NY State 15
Senior Seminar
152
Workshop in
Geography 153, and,
Geology of
Europe, 154.
Dr.
Charlier left for “greener pastures” in the mid–west, so the courses and the
Geography program were dropped late in 1958.
1958–59
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Chairman,
Geology Department.
Henry A.
Curtis – Lecturer in
School of Education.
Humbert S.
Revel – Instructor
Olivia V.
Haselau–Perry –
Instructor.
Dr. Otto Haas – Visiting Professor.
L.L.D., Ph.D.,
University of Vienna (1914).
Julian Kane – Instructor.
B.A., New York
University, M.A., Columbia University (1950).
Dr.
Durham recognized the importance of a field program and introduced a summer
field course. By the 1958–59
academic year, the Geology Department had 6 instructors. Dr. Haas was a paleontologist working
at the American Museum of Natural History. Julian Kane was to teach as an adjunct for 31 years (until
1987). The Geology Program now
included the following courses:
Physical Geology
– 1
Historical
Geology – 2
Structural
Geology – 19
Field Methods –
20
Mineralogy – 31
Petrology – 32
Geomorphology –
33
Seminar – 52
Earth Science
(for Teachers) – 107/108
Hydrology – 121
Optical
Mineralogy – 131
Summer Field
Camp – 134
Sedimentation –
135
Paleontology –
137
Advanced
Paleontology – 138
Economic Geology
– 141/142
Petroleum Geology – 144
Stratigraphy –
146
Special Problems
– 151/152
Engineering
Problems and Economic Geology – 209
Advanced
Historical Geology – 210
Readings in
Geology – 251/252.
Dr. Otto Haas, 1959.
Olivia Haselau–Perry, 1959.
1959–60
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate Professor
– Chairman.
Dr. Laurence
E. Andrews Jr. –
Assistant Professor.
B.S., Virginia
Polytechnic Institute (1948); Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University (1952).
Henry A.
Curtis – Lecturer –
School of Education.
Dr. Otto Haas – Visiting Professor from Vienna.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Dr. Laurence Andrews, 1959.
1960–61
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Laurence
E. Andrews Jr. –
Assistant Professor.
Humbert Revel – Instructor – (Left Hofstra for
U.S.G.S. in Washington D.C.).
Olivia V. Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer – (Replacement for H.
A. Curtis in 1961).
By
this time the department offers B.A. with 10 geology courses and a B.S. degree
(12 geology courses + 1 year mathematics, chemistry, and physics and 2 years of
language).
1961–62
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Laurence
E. Andrews Jr. –
Assistant Professor.
Olivia V. Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth L.
Rosenthal –
Lecturer. (Replaced Humbert
Revel.)
B.A., CUNY,
Brooklyn (1941); M.A., Hofstra (1959).
Arthur E.
Wegweiser –
Lecturer. (Replaced Dr. Otto
Haas.)
B.A. (1955) and
M.A. (1958); both from Hofstra.
1962–63
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Laurence
E. Andrews Jr. –
Assistant Professor (On Leave).
Olivia V. Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth L.
Rosenthal – Lecturer.
Arthur E.
Wegweiser – Lecturer.
1963–64
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Laurence
Andrews – Assistant
Professor.
Olivia V. Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
Henry A.
Curtis – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
1964–65
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Olivia V. Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
Henry A.
Curtis – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Dr. Laurence
Andrews – (Left
permanently for Minas Gerais, Brazil as a mining consultant; no replacement for
10 years!).
Olivia V.
Haselau–Perry, 1964.
Julian Kane,
1964.
Dr. Forrest Durham, 1964.
1965–66
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Olivia V. Haselau–Perry – Instructor.
Henry A.
Curtis – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
1966–67
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Clifford
Bennett – Lecturer
(Replaced Henry Curtis, after 18 years of near continuous service).
B.A., Syracuse
University, (1949); M.A., Hofstra (1961).
Olivia V.
Haselau–Perry – (Left to
get Ph.D. in Geography at Columbia University. Believed to have done research in India – but lost all
contact with Hofstra).
1967–72
Dr. Forrest
Durham – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Manfred
(Fred) Wolff – Assistant
Professor.
B.S., Hofstra
(1961); M.S., University of Rochester (1963); Ph.D., Cornell University
(1967). (Replaces, after 10 years
of dedicated service, Olivia V. Haselau–Perry.)
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Clifford
Bennett – Lecturer.
Dr. Wolff was the first undergraduate (Class of 1961) to “return to
the roost” – others will follow.
Wolffian Epoch
As
Chairman for four years, Dr. Fred Wolff expanded the variety of courses and convinced the Dean and
Provost to keep the B.S. – B.A. Geology major going. His pivotal chairmanship secured the viability and growth of
the Geology department for the future.
1972–73
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Assistant
Professor – (Acting Chairman as Dr. Forrest Durham becomes terminally ill and
passes away in 1974.)
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Clifford
Bennett – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Tough
times as the department is down to one full–time professor plus three adjuncts
– but expansion would follow! Dr.
Wolff brought long-standing stability to the department for the first time and
introduced new technology in the form of tens of thousands of overhead slides. This stable interval resulted in the
development and modification of many new and more specialized courses for the
majors including:
Environmental
Geology – 10
Environmental
Geomorphology – 33
Lunar and
Planetary Geology – 115
Geochemistry –
132
Igneous and
Metamorphic Petrology – 133
Marine Geology –
136
Sedimentary
Petrology – 145
Physical
Stratigraphy – 156
Fred Wolff, as Hofstra Student, 1961.
Dr. Fred Wolff, as Faculty Member, 1975.
During
the Wolffian Epoch updates in the Geology Program included:
Physical and
Environmental Geology – 1
Earth History
and Crustal Evolution – 2
Historical
Geology – 105 (was 170)
Oceanography –
123
Paleoecology –
138
Biostratigraphy
– 140
Conservation of
Economic Resources – 141
Dr. Wolff Pictures
Drs. Forrest Durham and Fred Wolff,
1970.
Dr. Wolff in Death Valley, 1996.
Dr. Wolff Examining Turbidites of the
Normanskill, 1975.
1973–74
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Assistant
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Usman
Sayeed – Assistant
Professor.
B.S., Andhara
University [India] (1960); M.S., Memorial University [Canada] (1970); Ph.D.,
University of Nebraska (1973).
Dr. Sayeed temporarily replaced, after 15 years of dedicated service,
Dr. Forrest Durham).
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Clifford
Bennett – Adjunct
Lecturer.
1974–75
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Assistant
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Usman
Sayeed – Assistant
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Ruth
Rosenthal – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Lecturer.
B.A., Marywood
College (1954); M.A.T., Indiana University (1969).
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Associate
Professor and Adjunct Special Lecturer from Adelphi University.
B.A., Concordia
Seminary (1954); Ph.D., Columbia University (1967).
Dr. Wolff, circa 1985.
MESOZOIC
(1975-)
Radcliffian Era
Dr.
Dennis Radcliffe was
appointed as Chairman and has guided the department and diversified programs
for 30 years. Under his direction
the program included the B.A. degree in Earth Resources (later Environmental
Resources) and expanded to four full–time faculty and 5–8 rotating adjunct
faculty. Under his dedicated chairmanship the department expanded to become the
best classical undergraduate Geology Department in the New York City area.
Dr. Dennis Radcliffe, 1975.
1975–77
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
B.S., University
of Durham (1960); M.S., University of Alberta (1964); Ph.D., Queens University
of Ontario (1966).
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Associate
Professor.
Julian Kane – Senior Professor – Earth Science
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Lecturer. (Replaces R.
Rosenthal.)
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Lecturer as of Fall 1976. (Our
longest consecutive semester adjunct as of 2004, and still going strong!)
B.S., City
College – CUNY (1963); M.A., Brooklyn College – CUNY (1966).
Stanley
Schleifer – Adjunct
Lecturer. (Fall 1976.)
B.S. (1966);
M.A. (1970); both degrees from Brooklyn College, CUNY.
Dr. Radcliffe
Pictures
Jan Lake, northern Saskatchewan, 1963.
Climbing Mt. Askival in western Scotland,
Isle of Mull, 1958.
Twirlin’ the dials of the atomic
absorption machine, 1980.
Talamantes,
Chihuahua, Mexico; exploring manganese tungsten deposits, 1971.
Drs. Fred Wolff and Dennis Radcliffe,
1976.
1977–78
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Associate
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Lecturer.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Lecturer.
B.S. Manhattan
College, (1972); Ph.D., Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, (1976).
Standing (L to R): Michael Sichko, Dr. Fred Wolff, Dr.
Dennis Radcliffe, Julian Kane.
Seated: Sister deMontfort
Babb, and Dr. John Remo, 1978.
1978–80
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Associate
Professor – Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Associate
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Lecturer.
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Lecturer.
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Lecturer.
Stanley
Schleifer – Adjunct
Lecturer.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Lecturer.
The
department forges ahead with a full staff. New and respected adjuncts were added in the 1976-78 period
including Dr. John Remo,
Stanley Schleifer,
and Michael Sichko. Our adjunct instructor cornerstone, Professor
Sichko has taught at
least one course in consecutive semesters from 1976 to 2004 (a 28-year record!)
and is still going strong.
Although not offering continuous service, Adjunct Professor Julian
Kane holds the record
for longevity (1975 – 1989), a 31 year record. On the full-time staff, Dr. Fred Wolff has served from 1967 to 2004, an
astounding record of continuous, dedicated service for 37 years! Best yet, Dr. Wolff boasts a 47 year involvement with the
department including his days as a student (from 1957). The B.A. in Earth Resources is approved
and additional courses added include:
Introduction to
Earth Resources – 9
Honors Research
Essay – 100
Space Geology –
103
Introduction to
Geophysics – 120
Julian Kane, 1980.
Sister DeMontfort Babb, 1980.
Faculty (L to R): Dr. Dennis Radcliffe, Dr. Fred Wolff,
Michael Sichko, and Dr. John Remo, 1979.
1980–81
Dr. Dennis Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Stanley
Schleifer – Adjunct
Assistant Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Arthur Loring – Adjunct Assistant Professor.
B.S.
(1970); M.A., (1972), both from
Brooklyn College – CUNY.
Michael Sichko,
1980.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig, 1980.
Faculty (L to R): Drs. Fred Wolff,
Dennis Radcliffe, Arthur Loring, Michael Sichko, 1980.
1981–83
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Assistant
Professor.
B.S. (1972),
M.A. (1977), both from The City College – CUNY; M.Phil. (1983), Ph.D. (1985),
both from Lamont–Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
B.A., Hofstra
University (1952); M.S. University of Oklahoma (1957); Ph.D., Cornell
University (1975).
Charles
Merguerian joins staff
in January 1981. After nearly 30
years of effort, the department finally gets a third full–time faculty
line! Merguerian becomes a welcome
addition to the department. His
long-standing field research in New York City, Connecticut, and California
(while at Columbia University) provide a rigorous field component to the major
(a long established tradition with the Hofstra Geology Program) and helps to
establish Hofstra Geology as a center for local geologic research.
Dr.
Chuck Rockwell graduated
from Hofstra in 1952 and thus became second former student and oldest geology
alumnus to return to the scene of the crime [Dr. Wolff was first!]. Department added a new course – Geology
104, Excursions in Field Geology.
Dr. Charles Merguerian, circa 1995.
Charles Rockwell, as a Student, 1952.
Dr. Charles Rockwell, as Professor,
2000.
Dr. Merguerian
Pictures
Taking a Break from Mapping the Shoo
Fly Complex, in Tuolumne County, CA, 1979.
Field Discussions in the Appalachians
On-The-Rocks, 1991.
Out in the Field with Students, 2000.
Let’s See What Secrets the Rocks Want
to Divulge Today, 1995.
Drs. Charles Merguerian, Fred Wolff,
and Dennis Radcliffe, 1981.
Faculty (L to R): Drs. Fred Wolff,
Charles Merguerian, Dennis Radcliffe, 1982.
1983–84
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Assistant
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Sister
DeMontfort Babb –
Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Dr. Harold E.
Roellig – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Department
adds Geology 3 – Introduction to Astrogeology.
Faculty (L to R): Drs. Larry, Moe, and
Curly [nyuk, nyuk, nyuk], 1983.
1984–85
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Assistant
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Fray – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
B.S. (1949),
Ph.D. (1955); both from Lamont Geological Observatory, Columbia
University. He replaces Dr. Harold
Roellig after 11 years of nearly continuous service.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor. (Replaces Arthur Loring.)
B.A. (1960),
M.A. (1961), and Ph.D. (1963), all from Columbia University.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
B.S., The City
College (1948); M.S., Rutgers University (1957); Ph.D. New York University
(1971).
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor. (Replaces Sister
DeMontfort Babb.)
B.A., C.W. Post
(1978); M.A. (Education), Queens College – CUNY (1982).
Department
adds Dr. Charles Fray,
Dr. Richard Liebling,
Dr. Simon Schaffel
and William Dieffenbach
as adjuncts and adds two new courses:
Gemology and
Gemstones – 4
Geologic
Cartographic Techniques – 18
Geology 107–108
for Earth Science Teachers becomes Geology 7–8
Dr. Rick Liebling, 1985.
Dr. Charles T. Fray, 1989.
William Dieffenbach, 1988.
Drs. Dennis Radcliffe, Kurt E. Lowe
(visitor), Fred Wolff, and Charles Merguerian, 1984.
Professor
Kurt E. Lowe was former
Chairman of the Geology Department at City College of CUNY, and Chairman of the
Geological Section of the N.Y. Academy of Sciences 1975–1984. Always a friend of the department, in
1963 he recommended Dr. Wolff for a Fellowship at the NYS Museum and in late
1980 recommended Merguerian for the then open hard-rock position at
Hofstra. For this transgression,
he was privately always apologetic to other members of the faculty and
geological community.
1985–86
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Assistant
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Fray – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
David Verado – Adjunct Instructor (One year
appointment).
B.S., C.W. Post
University (1984); M.S. Queens College – CUNY (1986).
1986–87
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Dr. John Remo – Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Fray – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Faculty (L to R): Drs. Dennis Radcliffe, Fred Wolff, and
Charles Merguerian, 1985.
1987–88
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Julian Kane – Adjunct Senior Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Fray – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
Dr.
Simon Schaffel joined
the department in 1984 after retiring from The City College. An active field researcher and
excitable, enthusiastic lecturer both in the classroom and the field, his
experience brought much to the department. Dr. Simon Schaffel was Merguerian’s professor in Historical
Geology in at The City College in 1969.
In public testimonials he refused to admit that Merguerian had ever
learned a thing in his class despite perfect attendance. He provided ten years of devoted
service to the department until taking leave in 1994.
Faculty (L to R): Drs. Simon Schaffel, Dennis Radcliffe,
Fred Wolff, and Charles Merguerian, 1987.
Dr. Schaffel with Geology 1C students
at North Twin Island, The Bronx.
1988–89
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Fray – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
1989–90
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Charles
Fray – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon Schaffel – Adjunct Professor.
Fred Stumm – Adjunct Instructor. (Third student
returning as faculty – Fall 1989).
B.S., Hofstra
University (1987); M.S., University of California at Bakersfield (1989).
Christine
Anderson – Adjunct
Assistant Professor. (Fourth student returning as faculty).
B.S., Hofstra
University (1977); M.S., Pennsylvania State University (1980). Served 1990-93 and 2000-2002.
Christine Anderson in Hawaii, 1990.
Fred Stumm, 1991.
1990–91
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
Fred Stumm – Adjunct Instructor.
Dr. John E.
Sanders – Adjunct Star
Professor.
B.A., Ohio
Wesleyan University (1948), Ph.D., Yale University (1953).
Geology Faculty (L to R): Drs. Simon Schaffel, Dennis Radcliffe
(Chair), John Sanders, Fred Wolff, and Charles Merguerian, 1991.
After
retiring from Barnard College of Columbia University, Dr. John E. Sanders joins the Geology Department (Fall 1990)
in order to continue teaching and to continue collaborative research with
Merguerian. He is given “Star”
rank based on his national recognition and publication record in the field of
Sedimentology. An active soft-rock
field researcher in the New England Appalachians, the Hofstra connection
continues a decade-long collaboration with Merguerian that results in a
twenty-five volume set of geological field guides centered in the New York
Metropolitan area and vicinity.
Indeed, research projects spawned during On-The-Rocks field
investigations resulted joint publications concerning all aspects of the
bedrock- and Pleistocene geology of the New York City area and projects with
Hofstra geology majors flourished during this period. Although he retired from teaching in 1993, he was a
distinguished member of the Geology Department and contributed to the education
of geology majors up to his untimely death in 1999.
Geology
2 is split into two courses:
Geology 2C (Historical Geology) and Geology 12 (Earth History and
Crustal Evolution).
Dr. John Sanders retired from Barnard
College and came to Hofstra in 1990.
Drs. Fred Wolff, Charles Merguerian,
Dennis Radcliffe, and John Sanders, 1993 (L to R).
1991–93
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
Dr. John E.
Sanders – Adjunct Star
Professor.
Fred Stumm – Adjunct Instructor.
After
nearly 60 years of Hofstra Geologic history, by 1993 J Bret Bennington became the fourth full–time faculty
member in Geology, the largest full-time staff in the history of the
department! A critter–based soft
rocker, he quickly became our resident expert in Invertebrate Paleontology and
Dinosaurs and joined in the effort to develop and maintain a strong field
component to the discipline. His
presence balanced the program as he began developing and teaching courses in
Hydrology, Sedimentation, Stratigraphy, and Geomorphology, taking over some of
Dr. Fred Wolff’s advanced course responsibilities. Student activities have flourished.
Dr. J Bret Bennington, 1994.
1993–94
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Associate
Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Instructor.
B.S., University
of Rochester (1985); Ph.D.,Virginia Polytechnical Institute (1995).
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor.
Dr. John E.
Sanders – Adjunct Star
Professor.
1994–2000
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Assistant
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct Associate
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel – Adjunct
Professor until 1995.
Dr. John E.
Sanders – Adjunct Star
Professor until 1993.
This
six–year interval marks a long period of dynamic equilibrium, balance, and
stability for the Geology Department program that witnessed growth in class
sizes and popular programs with students.
Dr. Bennington takes over as Geology Club Advisor, a position held by
Dr. Merguerian since 1981. After
13 years of directing club activities, Merguerian was demoted to “Big Toe” of
the Geology Club.
Many
adjuncts were hired to help fill classes as our offerings expanded. They include:
Gail (Vitale)
Bennington – Adjunct
Instructor (Fall 1998 – Present).
Lorraine
Immoor - Adjunct
Instructor (Fall 1992 – Spring 1997).
Dr. Richard
Jackson – Adjunct
Professor (Fall 1994).
New courses
added to the curriculum included:
Geology 5 –
Environmental Geology and Natural Hazards (Wolff –1995)
Geology 6 –
Dinosaurs and the Mesozoic World (Bennington – 1997)
Geology 143 –
Geological Field Analysis (Merguerian – 2002)
Dr. Bennington
Pictures Page
Leading Camping Trips for Students,
1996.
Relaxing at the Department Holiday
Party, 1994.
Have Outcrop and Hammer - Will Travel,
2000.
Getting Close and Personal with the
Rocks, 1999.
Faculty (L to R) – Drs. Bret
Bennington, Charles Merguerian, Dennis Radcliffe, and Fred Wolff, 1996.
2000–01
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Gail (Vitale)
Bennington – Adjunct
Instructor.
John J.
Gibbons – Adjunct
Assistant Professor.
B.A., Pace
University (1963); M.A., S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook (1992).
With
expansion of the evening program, we relied heavily on our adjunct professors
who were quick to help out when courses needed coverage, despite heavy work
loads and personal commitments. By
2000, we were able to add John J. Gibbons, a gifted teacher and earth scientist, who has become an
integral part of the normal operations of the department.
Professor Gibbons Explaining Geologic
Field Philosophy to Introductory Students, 2002.
2001–02
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
John J.
Gibbons – Adjunct
Assistant Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Gail
Bennington – Adjunct Instructor.
Lorraine Immoor and Dr. Radcliffe,
1996.
Gail (Vitale) Bennington, 2001.
2002–03
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Associate
Professor.
Dr. Charles
Rockwell – Adjunct
Professor. (Retires after 22 years
of dedicated service.)
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Gail
Bennington – Adjunct
Instructor.
John J.
Gibbons – Adjunct
Assistant Professor.
Dr. Lillian
Hess Tanguay – Adjunct Associate Professor.
B.A., State
University College at Buffalo (1971), M.A., Brooklyn College – CUNY (1980),
Ph.D., Graduate School of the City University of New York, (1993).
Dr. Nehru E. Cherukupalli – Adjunct
Professor.
B.Sc. (1954) and
M.Sc. (1956); both from University of Madras, India; M.A., Columbia University (1959); Ph.D., University of
Madras (1963).
Drs.
Lillian Hess Tanguay
(Professor at C.W. Post) and Nehru E. Cherukupalli (Brooklyn College, CUNY) joined the
department to help with expansion of our introductory course offerings and as
replacements for adjuncts that left or reduced their teaching hours. Dr. Hess also taught a class in 1995 as
an Adjunct Assistant Professor.
They have both become intimately involved with department activities and
have engaged in joint research investigations with the full-time staff.
Dr. Lillian Hess Tanguay, 2003.
2003–04
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Fred
Wolff – Professor.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Assistant
Professor.
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Gail
Bennington – Adjunct
Instructor.
John J.
Gibbons – Adjunct
Assistant Professor.
Dr. Lillian
Hess Tanguay – Adjunct Associate Professor.
Dr. Nehru E. Cherukupalli – Adjunct
Professor.
Professors Gibbons, Nehru, and
Merguerian at the Great Falls in Paterson, NJ (2002).
Cornerstones of the Hofstra Field
Program, Professors Bennington and Merguerian at the Simpson Quarry, Portlandt,
CT (2002).
2004–05
Dr. Dennis
Radcliffe – Professor –
Chairman.
Dr. Charles
Merguerian – Professor.
Dr. J Bret
Bennington – Assistant
Professor.
Dr. Emma
Christa Farmer –
Assistant Professor.
B.S., Stanford
University (1994); Ph.D. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia
University (2004).
Michael
Sichko – Adjunct
Associate Professor.
Dr. Richard
Liebling – Adjunct
Professor.
William
Dieffenbach – Adjunct
Instructor.
Gail
Bennington – Adjunct
Instructor.
John J.
Gibbons – Adjunct
Assistant Professor.
Dr. Lillian
Hess Tanguay – Adjunct Professor.
Dr. Nehru E. Cherukupalli – Adjunct
Professor.
GEOLOGY FACULTY IMAGE
ALBUM
Establishing a Tradition for Hofstra
Geology Field Trips, Dr. Forrest Durham (R), 1959.
Drs. Charles Merguerian and Dennis
Radcliffe, Nassau Science Explorations, 1982.
Drs. Merguerian (L) and Wolff (R)
flanking NY State Geologist Dr. Robert Fakundiny, Sea Level Rise Symposium
organized by Dr. Wolff, 1987.
Professors Fray, Radcliffe, Sichko,
Merguerian, and Wolff at North Lake, Catskills, 1991.
Professor Merguerian in the Sterling
Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, NJ, 1992.
Drs. Merguerian (L) and Sanders (R)
flanking President James M. Shuart, 1992.
Drs. Merguerian and Radcliffe Relaxing
on a Trip to Paterson Falls, NJ, 1992.
Dr. John E. Sanders, 1992.
Dr. Radcliffe “in the Field”, 1993.
Dr. Sanders Clearing Exposures so that
“Students Can See”, Garvies Point 1994.
Dr. Radcliffe - Really in the Field,
1995.
Professors Sanders and Merguerian
Working with Students in the Field, 1995.
Dr. Simon
Schaffel, 1995.
Sister DeMontfort
Babb
Christine Anderson at the Grand
Canyon, 2003.
John Sanders at an Erratic Block,
Orchard Beach, 1995.
Drs. J Bret Bennington and Fred Wolff,
on the upper deck of a tunnel boring machine in the Queens Water Tunnel, 1999.
Drs. John E. Sanders and Charles
Merguerian, Caumsett State Park, 1996.
Dr. Fred Wolff in the Field.
Dr. Rick Liebling back from the Field.
Professors Wolff, Liebling, Radcliffe,
and Rockwell (L to R), 1999.
Dr. Wolff Showing Students Geology in
the Field, 2000.
William Dieffenbach and Michael
Sichko, Geology 1C Field Trip, 2001.
Professors Liebling and Gibbons,
Geology 1C Field Trip, 2001.
Professors Rockwell and Bennington,
Geology 1C Field Trip, 2001.
Our Superb Adjunct Staff (L to R) –
Gail Bennington, John Gibbons, William Dieffenbach, Michael Sichko. Missing at photo shoot were Lillian
Hess Tanquay, Dr. Rick Liebling, and Dr. Nehru, Spring 2004.
We hope that all Hofstra alumni will enjoy seeing the rich history
of the geology department from which they sprang, this compilation the direct
result of lots of hard work by Dr. Fred Wolff in his retirement year (2004). Dr. Merguerian took over the task of putting
the document into computer format and will continue to edit and update the
history on a yearly basis. Please
keep in touch with us by email or mail.
Let us know what you are doing these days. We are planning an Alumni Book and need pictures, stories,
etc. We apologize in advance
for any spelling errors in names or any incorrect dates. We will be happy to correct this for the web edition and for
the full color Acrobat file (.pdf) that you can download from our website
for color printing: http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/HCLAS/Geology/index_Geology.cfm
Reach us by email:
Or, snail
mail:
Geology Department
114 Hofstra
University
Hempstead,
NY 11549
(516) 463-5564;
(463-5120 FAX)
© 2004 – Hofstra University Geology Department
