Rock stars: Three sisters, all distinguished geologists, reflect on what Middlebury did for them
June 05, 2008
Remarks by Middlebury alumnae Katharine, Patricia and Susan Cashman at the annual dinner for honorary degree recipients
At commencement ceremonies on June 6, President Ronald Liebowitz presented honorary Doctor of Science degrees to Katharine V., Patricia H., and Susan M. Cashman—all graduates of Middlebury College who went on to distinguished careers in the geological sciences.
 |
| From left, Susan, Katherine and Patricia Cashman with President Ron Liebowitz at commencement, May 25, 2008. |
Responding to the honor, each of the sisters reflected on her Middlebury experience and its influence on her career. “The skills that have served me best are things that I learned at Middlebury,” said Patricia Cashman, a research professor in the geological sciences at the University of Nevada in Reno, who graduated from Middlebury in 1972. A field-based structural geologist, she uses structural and geophysical techniques to solve regional tectonic problems, focusing particularly on the evolution of the Sierra Nevada basin, and the late Paleozoic deformation in north-central Nevada.
“My Middlebury geology professors became both my mentors and my lifelong friends,” observed Patricia’s twin sister, Susan. She is a professor of geology at Humboldt State University and also a 1972 graduate of Middlebury. She is currently working on two main research projects. The first is a study of structures, particularly microstructures, formed by active faulting in near-surface sediments. The second is the geologic evolution of the Klamath Mountains province of northern California and southern Oregon.
“I strive to train my students as effectively and passionately as I was trained and, to paraphrase Middlebury’s mission statement, to engage the world through the pursuit of knowledge unconstrained by either national or disciplinary boundaries,” Katharine V. Cashman remarked. She is a volcanologist and professor of geological sciences at the University of Oregon. She graduated from Middlebury College in 1976. Her research focuses on how volcanoes erupt and why eruption styles vary.
Use the links below to read the complete remarks by the Cashman sisters at the annual dinner for honorary degree recipients, held May 24 at McCardell-Bicentennial Hall.
