CWU geology professor honored by national association

ELLENSBURG - Longtime Central Washington University Geological Sciences Professor Nick Zentner learned this summer that he will be presented with GSA Public Service Award from the Geological Society of America later this year.

Best known for his work on the Emmy Award-winning “Nick on the Rocks” program on Public Broadcasting Service, Zentner has earned the respect of his students and colleagues alike for his ability to connect with them while sharing his extensive knowledge about geology.

Steven P. Lundblad of the University of Hawaii-Hilo and Scott F. Burns of Portland State University nominated Zentner—who also serves as the science outreach and education coordinator for the CWU Department of Geological Sciences—for his ability to connect with people while sharing with them the wonders of geological sciences.

“Nick Zentner loves to teach about geology, but he has expanded his outreach to the general public and is a star!” Lundblad and Burns said in a GSA news release(link is external). “He has worked extensively to make information interesting and accessible to a wide range of people, using the Pacific Northwest as a lens. This is a coordinated and extensive effort that is a model for other forms of scientific communication.”

Zentner, who joined the Central faculty in 1992, also received the prestigious James Shea Award, a National Association of Geoscience Teachers award in 2015, recognizing his exceptional delivery of earth science content to the general public.

Zentner and the other award-winners will be honored Oct. 15 at the GSA Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The GSA unites a diverse community of geoscientists in a common purpose to study the mysteries of our planet (and beyond) and share scientific findings. Members and friends around the world, from academia, government, and industry, participate in GSA meetings, publications, and programs at all career levels, to foster professional excellence.