Earth Sciences

"Ahoy! I’m David Bailey and I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geoscience with a focus in GIS, from Tennessee Tech University in 2014. I then enrolled as one of the first batch of students in the newly created PSM program and acquired a Master’s in Environmental Informatics in 2016 from TTUs School of Environmental Studies.

Since then, I’ve performed various GIS related work with prospective political campaigns, undertaken entrepreneurial challenges of creating a business, and work as the GIS Systems Manager for the City of Cookeville, where I’ve been since 2019. The day to day involves maintaining the city’s GIS databases and the access to and sharing of data, creating and building apps, and performing various analysis typically pertaining to city planning which provides better information for decision making. In addition to that, I am also the city’s drone pilot. We have recently purchased a new drone and utilize it quite heavily for aerial mapping and general photo/video acquisition for project updates.

Tennessee Tech, and especially the faculty of the Earth Sciences Department, provided a great deal of knowledge and confidence which undoubtedly helped me to get to where I am now." David Bailey

Isaac Hollingsworth graduated from Tennessee Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems. He later returned to Tech to complete a Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Informatics.

"My path into GIS actually began before coming to Tennessee Tech. I served as a Geospatial Engineer in the U.S. Army, where I was introduced to professional cartography, terrain analysis, and geospatial intelligence. After leaving the Army, Tennessee Tech gave me the opportunity to build on that experience and develop a much stronger foundation in geoscience, GIS, remote sensing, and research.

While at Tech, I had the opportunity to work as a GIS teaching assistant and participate in several research projects, including lunar mapping and planetary geospatial research. Those experiences ultimately helped turn what had been a career in GIS into an interest in applying geospatial science to planetary exploration.

Today, I work as a Geospatial Scientist supporting NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. My work focuses on applying GIS and cartography to human lunar exploration, including the development of geospatial datasets, terrain analysis, mapping standards, and operational map products used to support Artemis mission planning, training, and simulations. It has been especially rewarding to see skills I developed through projects at Tennessee Tech translate directly into work supporting future exploration of the Moon.

Tennessee Tech played an important role in getting me where I am today. The opportunity to work closely with faculty, participate in research, teach GIS, and take on projects beyond the classroom gave me experience that I continue to draw from professionally. My biggest advice to current students would be to take advantage of those opportunities. Get involved with research, build things, work with your professors, and don’t be afraid to pursue an unconventional application of your degree. GIS and geoscience can take you into fields and places you may not initially expect." Isaac Hollingsworth

“Hello, my name is Rowan Freeman and I attended Tennessee Tech between 2000 and 2004, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a Geographic Information System focus.  I headed to New Jersey shortly after and started my career as a contaminated land specialist and consultant, and after nearly six years there, I moved to New Zealand where I have resided ever since. 

“My academic foundation at Tennessee Tech prepared me to fulfill several very rewarding professional roles which have largely involved contamination characterization, remediation, management, and monitoring, across a range of site types (including but not limited to brownfield, superfund, oil refinery, power generation, former gasworks, property development, and municipal).  Ultimately, my work has been focused on assisting clients to fulfill their obligations to protect human and environmental health, whether driven by regulatory forces or for their own peace of mind.  

“I have also recently obtained my Master of Science in Environmental Science and I am a Certified Environmental Practitioner (Site Contamination) under the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand scheme.  My positive experience at Tennessee Tech, especially across the topics of geology, soil science, and general chemistry laid the foundation for my professional achievements to date and so far, it has been an awesome trip!” Rowan Freeman.

"Hello! I’m John Corley, and I am proud to call myself an alumnus of the Tennessee Tech Earth Sciences Department (’11). The Tennessee Tech Earth Sciences Department has a rich tradition of laying down a substantial foundation of a broad range of geologic fundamentals, which translates into success in the workplace. The quality of education you get at the department is reflected in the history of the students’ successes Tennessee Geoconclave.

"I am currently a registered professional geologist at the Missouri Geological Survey, which is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Our state survey is special because it not only handles typical geologic survey duties such as mapping and research, but my group also performs regulatory oversight. My day-to-day job as an environmental geologist encompasses so many aspects of geology. We oversee the design, installation, and review of groundwater and gas monitoring networks for sanitary landfills; we conduct geologic and hydrologic evaluations of existing and proposed wastewater treatment facilities including earthen storage basins, land application sites, and mechanical treatment plants as part of their permitting process – this also includes performing stream evaluations to determine losing or gaining classifications; and we perform investigations related to geologic hazards such as sinkholes and landslides, and remediation support for concerned citizens.

"Field work is performed on a weekly basis,and we have state-wide jurisdiction so I get to see all of Missouri’s rocks and wide variety of landscapes. Each day is different, which keeps me on my toes. Before my current job, I worked in water pollution enforcement and compliance. In this day and age, having a working knowledge of how to read and interpret rules and regulations will help you in not only your professional career (whatever that may be), but also help you in your personal life in helping you become a more informed citizen in regard to how rules and regulations are made – and how you can provide feedback and help change them.

"My feedback for potential or current students of the program: ask your professors if they need help with a research project! Get out of your social comfort zones! Go on all the school field trips! Go hiking, caving, or kayaking! The greater Cookeville area has some world-class waterfalls and caves, so study hard and enjoy a well-deserved break exploring Mother Nature and fully enjoying your current time and space at Tennessee Tech. Because you never know where life will fling you, but I hope you enjoy your journey along the way," John Corley.

"Hello, my name is Michael Waynick and I am currently a Lead of Permian Basin Geoscience at Ovintiv where I manage a team of development geologists and work closely with engineers to plan and execute oil and gas wells. I graduated from Tennessee Tech in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences. I am so thankful for the opportunities afforded me while at the university. I cherish the memories of teaching lab, going on local and international field trips, and getting to know the amazing close-knit faculty and my peers. As I look back on the support and memories during my undergraduate studies, I would have not changed a thing.  The courses I took gave me a framework and understanding of geologic fundamentals that I used in graduate school and now in my career as a Lead Geoscientist at Ovintiv. 

"After graduating from Tennessee Tech, I studied at the University of Kansas where I obtained a Master of Science in Geosciences.   I defended my thesis in 2014 titled, “Fluvial to shelfal strata of the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene Dorotea and Tres Pasos Formations, Magallanes Basin, El Calafate, Argentina.” From Kansas, I went to work for Encana/Ovintiv in Denver, CO where I still work to this day. Since working at Encana/Ovintiv, I’ve worked multiple assets and basins in development and planning, explored North American plays, and now managing a team. 

"Tennessee Tech shaped me into who I am today, and I am proud to be an alumnus. Without the caring nature of the professors and great education at Tennessee Tech, I do not know where I would be," Michael Waynick

"Hello, My name is Jon Zetterberg and I graduated from Tech with a Bachelor's of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in 2017. After graduation I began working for a large consulting firm, with most of the work I do supporting FEMA's Risk MAP program by updating floodplains across the country.

"I have gone on to obtain a Master's of Science in Geographic Information Systems from Elmhurst University and my GISP certification. I would not be where I am now without the faculty at Tennessee Tech who made an impact on my life and gave me the skills that I need to succeed in my career. The foundational knowledge that I learned at Tennessee Tech has carried me far and will continue to support my career into the future," Jon Zetterberg.

After Jaclyn graduated with the class of 2022 and Laura with the class of 2021, they were able to find jobs working at PSI Intertek. PSI is a geotechnical firm located in Nashville and does soil, rock, and concrete analysis for new construction. PSI is currently working on many large 

projects including skyscrapers that will soon change the Nashville skyline. Both alumni enjoy their jobs of running soil analyses, testing rock samples, and getting out into the field.

In their words, "Tennessee Tech did a wonderful job preparing us for this career through the hands-on portion of classes as well as field trips that allows us to get familiar with central Tennessee and the local geology. Courses such as geomorphology, field geology, and sedimentology and stratigraphy went a long way in helping us become familiar with what we now see every day in our geotechnical laboratory."

As an international student, Laura had the opportunity to develop professional skills at Tech as she majored in geoscience and minored in journalism. Laura served as a field assistant her sophomore year to gain experience measuring water quality. Her senior thesis project focused on structural geology and rock deformation in the Sewanee Conglomerate.

Jaclyn received a Tennessee Tech Creative Inquiry Summer Experience grant to work on her senior thesis studying the geochemistry of soils from Rusinga Island, Kenya. She spent the summer before her senior year learning valuable lab techniques, many of which now carry over into a full-time career. 

"Hi! My name is Korey Harvey and I earned my Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences in 2010 from Tennessee Tech University. The Earth Science department provided an excellent foundation in geoscience that has allowed me to explore many career paths as a working geologist- natural resources, GIS, environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, and military geology.  The diverse expertise of the faculty in this department and their willingness to work with students in the classroom and in the field forever shaped my career trajectory. Also, some of my favorite memories from this time in my life are of the annual GeoConclave competition at Fall Creek Falls (first place my last year), the geology club cookouts, and our summer field trip classes.

"After Tennessee Tech University I was able to complete my M.S. in Geology and enter the workforce as a petroleum geologist for an international oil and gas company. I drilled exploration wells and developed new fields based on my background in sedimentology and stratigraphy. Next, I pursued GIS and data science as an analyst for a global consulting firm. I led GIS mapping projects and developed new techniques for natural hazard modeling. Currently I am geologist for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and truly love utilizing my geologic background to inform our government leaders and support the warfighter. My work ranges from geodesy, geology, geotechnical engineering, remote sensing, research and development, and mapping- sometimes in a single day. Our motto is ‘Know the Earth, Show the Way’ and I am able to serve that mission all because of my beginnings at Tennessee Tech University.

"I am truly thankful to the Earth Science department faculty and the geology friends I made during these formative years of my life," Korey Harvey.