by Lee C. Gerhard,

Director and State Geologist

Our work in geologic mapping, petroleum, geohydrology, environmental geology, and minerals is commitment of science to public service

Technology transfer is Federal governmental jargon. For us, it means making research at the Kansas Geological Survey pay off—making it useful to our customers, the people of the state. This is one of the most satisfying results of years of stubbornly fighting scientific battles and chigger bites, of trying to understand and predict, of inventing tools, and communicating our thoughts to people who can use our research. In this issue of The Geologic Record, we show you the practical results of some of our “conceptual” research efforts.

Kansas Geological Survey scientists have always prided themselves on the cutting-edge nature of their research, especially in areas where there is public need. Our work in geologic mapping, petroleum, geohydrology, environmental geology, and minerals is commitment of science to public service. Focusing research on earth resources of economic value to the state is not only part of our statutory duty, but also part of our personal and professional commitment to serving Kansas.

Sometimes it is hard to show the chain of events that translates good research into economic activity or public good. Some of the articles in this issue of The Geologic Record demonstrate the translation of KGS conceptual research into public and private dollars, highlighting the opportunities that exist to translate scientific research at The University of Kansas and the Kansas Geological Survey into increased economic activity for Kansas.

Donald Whittemore, a specialist in water quality, has been named the acting chief of the Geohydrology Section at the Kansas Geological Survey. Whittemore is currently a senior scientist at the Survey. The appointment was made by the Survey’s director, Lee Gerhard.

As acting section chief, Whittemore is responsible for the Survey’s research program in ground water, including studies of water-level declines in western Kansas, possible new sources of water such as the Dakota aquifer, and the interaction between rivers and underground water sources. Whittemore joined the Survey in 1978 after teaching in the Kansas State University geology department from 1972 to 1978.

Whittemore has a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Pennsylvania State University. He has developed chemical methods that identify the source of saltwater contamination in ground water. By using geochemical tracers, Whittemore can determine if saltwater contamination comes from natural sources, such as the dissolution of underground salt beds, or from human activities. He has written or coauthored more than 90 scientific publications and reports.

“Don Whittemore brings a strong scientific background to our ground-water program,” said Gerhard. “He has more than 20 years of experience in dealing with Kansas water issues. That experience will be valuable in guiding our water research and information programs.”

Geoscience education in Kansas got a boost in August with the dedication of new facilities at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Jerry Tomanek Hall, named for the president at Fort Hays State from 1976 to 1987, was dedicated August 26, 1995, in a ceremony on the university’s campus. The three-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will house the chemistry, physics, and geosciences departments, as well as the campus Computing and Telecommunications Center.

The Department of Geosciences will occupy about half of the second floor of the new facility, nearly tripling the space previously allocated in Albertson Hall. Paul Krutak, Chairman of the Department of Geosciences, expects the new teaching-research facility, along with the addition of a new bachelors degree program in Geographic Information Systems, to help attract more students, perhaps doubling the number of majors. The department currently has 26 undergraduate and 8 graduate students majoring in geology.