Weston Dripps
Associate Professor
119E Plyler Hall, Townes Science Center
Phone: (864) 294-3392
e-mail: weston.dripps@furman.edu
Education
2003 Ph.D. Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin - Madison
1995 M.S. Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College
1992 B.A. Geology, Amherst College
Academic Positions
2011 – 2012 Visiting Researcher, Lund University Center for Sustainability Studies, Lund, Sweden
2010-present Affiliated Faculty, Shi Center for Sustainability, Furman University
2009-present Associate Professor, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Furman University
2005-2009 Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Furman University
2002-2005 Assistant Professor of Earth and Geographic Sciences, UMASS - Boston
2002-2005 Director of Undergraduate Hydrogeology Certificate Program, UMASS-Boston
2001-2002 Researcher, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT
Awards
2009 Student Organization Advisor of the Year, Environmental Action Group
2008 Alester G. Furman and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Teaching
2008 Grand Prize Winner of the Student Conservation Association Mazda Multimedia Contest
2000-2001 Bailey Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, University of Wisconsin
2000-2001 Horton Research Grant Award, American Geophysical Union
1998 Thomas E. Berg Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Wisconsin
1992 David F. Quinn Memorial Geology Prize, Amherst College
Current Collaborative Research Projects With Students
I am currently on sabbatical for the year living in Sweden as a visiting researcher at the Lund University Center for Sustainability Studies in Lund, Sweden. So I am not currently advising Furman students for the year although am actively involved with one current student project from afar:
Campus Waste Audit
Student: Erika Baldwin
The purpose of this study is to conduct a detailed multi-year (2008 – 2011) assessment of the composition and spatial variability of the residential waste stream across Furman’s campus, by both weight and volume, in an effort to provide specific recommendations for individual residential buildings on strategies for minimizing waste, improving recycling, and exploring the possibility of implementing residential composting stations. The study is being used to develop a comprehensive waste management and recycling master plan for the university.
Courses for 2011-2012
I am currently on sabbatical for the 2011 – 2012 year.
Courses Taught
EES 111 Earth Science and the Silver Screen, EES 112 Environmental Science, EES 230 Watershed Hydrology, EES 330 Applied Hydrogeology, FYW 1110 Global Water Issues, FYS 1126 Sustainability of Natural Resources
Select University Service
2006-present Environmental Action Group (EAG), Faculty Advisor
2008-present Bartram Society, Faculty Advisor
2009-present Core member of the Sustainability Planning Council (SPC)
2009-present Chair of the Sustainability Co-Curricular Student Engagement Committee
2008-present Campus Recycling Committee
2007-present Lake Restoration Committee
2008-2009 Faculty Development Mentor Program
2007-2008 Associated Colleges of the South Environmental Fellow for Furman University
Selected Professional Experience
1998 Hydrogeologist / Water Resource Planner, Martha’s Vineyard Commission, Oak Bluffs, MA
1995-1997 Hydrogeologist / Exploration Geologist, Earth Satellite Corporation, Rockville, MD
1992, 1994, 2001 High School Science Teacher, Swiss Semester, Zermatt, Switzerland
1992 Field Geologist, United States Geological Survey - Water Resources Division, Tucson, AZ
Professional Memberships
American Geophysical Union, Council on Undergraduate Research, Geological Society of America, Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education
Professional Publications
Author or co-author of 8 journal articles and 50 presentations at professional meetings.
Grants
PI or Co-PI of over $250,000 in externally funded grants. PI of Research and Professional Growth , Furman Advantage, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute grants through Furman University as well.