an OSU geology student takes part in hands-on field experience just outside Canon City, Colo. in summer 2006 one month before the storm hit the camp.

Dominion Presents $10,000 Gift to OSU for Geology Field Camp Revitalization

Oklahoma State University [OSU] announced today a $10,000 gift received from Dominion to benefit the university’s geology field camp restoration project. The check was presented recently to OSU Foundation president and CEO Kirk A. Jewell and other key officials by Dominion employee and OSU alumnus, Sam Roark.

“For more than 50 years OSU geology students have attended field camp to gain experience in hands-on geological skills and practices. We are grateful to the support of our geology advocates, like Dominion, for their genuine interest in the continued success of these OSU students,” said Jewell.
Dominion officials stated that many employees of its E & P division have spent their summers learning field methods from the geology camp, so the corporation was proud to make an impact on the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“As a graduate from OSU, a valuable and wonderful part of my education included attending the Les Huston Geology Field Camp,” said Sam Roark, Geological Advisor, Dominion Exploration & Production (BS Geology ’87 and MS Geology ’92). In summer 2006, the Colorado-based geological field camp suffered extreme damage due to flooding caused by heavy rainfalls. The camp was ravaged by the extreme rain leaving many cabins embedded in mud while five others washed away entirely. “It was overwhelming to learn of the recent destruction to the camp from the flood.  We believe the impact of this destruction directly and indirectly affects Dominion E&P and future geologists in the oil and gas industry all across America,” said Roark. “We see this as an opportunity to invest in the much-needed development of the geologists of the future.”

First row:  Bruce Crauder (A&S), Jana Duffy Second row: Matthew Riley (Dominion), Suzy Thompson Third row:  Jim Puckette (OSU Geology), Jay Gregg (OSU Geology), Bob Springman (Dominion) Fourth row: Adam DeVries (Dominion), Kirk Jewell Fifth row:  Dale Shipley (Dominion), Bob Clyne, Sam Roark (Dominion) Click image to see larger picture

Led by OSU geology professor and field camp director, Jim Puckette and the Boone Pickens School of Geology department, efforts to rebuild are underway. A restoration campaign to reach out to alumni and friends sharing the same compassion for the camp sought to raise $50,000 in repair costs last fall. Today, totals have exceeded $85,000.

“We’re pleased to share the camp with so many other schools,” explains Puckette. “I believe all the students benefit from the interaction with their colleagues from different academic backgrounds and learn quickly their common interests far outweigh perceived or real differences.”

Camp personnel are confident they will be able to service OSU students in May 2007.

“Our alums at Dominion were impressed with the department’s commitment to keeping field camp open when other geology departments across the nation were closing theirs when the profession was in a slump,” said Roark.  “OSU is there for the long-haul and [it] will weather the economic up’s and down’s.”

Dominion Virginia Power is a subsidiary of Dominion, one of the nation's largest producers of energy with an energy portfolio of about 28,000 megawatts of generation.  Dominion also serves retail energy customers in 11 states.  For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.

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