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Emeritus Spotlight: Doug Pride

Years taught at OSU

Autumn ’73 through Spring ’09 – 36 years

Classes taught

  • Undergraduate classes

    • Beginning-level geology (SES 100)
    • Energy & Mineral Resources in Society (SES 210) with Russ Utgard annually beginning in the 70’s
    • Geology and the National Parks (SES 105)
    • Incoming freshman seminar
  • Undergraduate field classes

    • Field Camp
    • Geology of the Southern Appalachians for Teachers (SES 583b?) with Russ Utgard
    • Geology of the Southern Appalachians (SES 670) with Bob Bates and Russ Utgard
    • Geology of the Northern Appalachian Mountains (SES 670) with Michael Barton
  • Undergraduate and graduate classes

    • Metallic Mineral Deposits (SES 660.01)
    • Seminars in Ore Deposits, Geochemical Exploration, etc.

Students advised & committees

In addition to 15+ undergrad thesis projects, it was my privilege to shepherd three dozen MS and PhD research projects to completion – principally in the western U.S. (Colorado to California) + northern Mexico, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the non-oil part of the Arabian Peninsula.  In these and those of other faculty members, I’ve spent at least five 24-hr days of my life in final oral presentations! 

Most memorable moment at OSU

Probably when Ohio State beat Miami for the National Championship.

On a more thoughtful level, memorable moments always have come through relationships with people and here I’m referring to students, in particular my students.  Every population of course has its outliers, but in thinking back over the years there have been scant few – countable on one hand, and I don’t even have to use my thumb or fingers.  This technique applies as well to colleagues if I am allowed a finger or two. 

Accomplishments I'm most proud of

Not to beat the drum too loudly, I would have to say whatever positive input I may have had in the lives of students and friends of all ages. 

Biggest change noted in geology during my career

Geology is geology, but in my sphere it is the full-scale integration of computer technology with science – I have found that knowledge of where those computer brains may be hiding also is fundamental. 

There is no fear now of having “too much” data from “too many” sources, sources that do not even integrate well. We now are able to combine knowledge from people with decades of experience who may not even know how to turn on one of those magical machines. Geologic understanding is the thin line that helps society grow and prosper, in many cases to survive. Our knowledge of earth processes separates us from other branches of science...in very positive ways!

Changes in my interests since becoming Emeritus

A swing to greater appreciation of family and friends I’m sure, but no change in my science interests from before – all the way back to grade school when I thought earthquakes were caused by huge underground boulders sliding around with respect to one another. You know? That still could be true – just sayin’...

How am I keeping myself out of trouble

Well, no one seems to want to get in trouble with me anymore – so, I’ve been concentrating on two projects: (1) exploring for Cu-Mo-Au in Colorado, and (2) writing a book:

  1. Core drilling in 2019 was very encouraging but some damned virus got in the way, and we will have to follow-up in 2021 – stay tuned.
  2. I’ve finished “Geology and the National Parks and Monuments” with publication set for Autumn 2020 – preliminary edition used a couple of times, and I’ve stopped having someone else open my mail. That book actually is two books:  (a) textbook of 350 pages with 190 figures, and (b) an “E Book-Within-The-Book” that includes 175 of those 190 figures + 1300 additional images that allow students and others to visit Parks and Monuments without so much of that pesky geology.