E-mail this pageGeography Program - Alumni Profiles
Plattsburgh State Geography Alumni, 1980 - 1989
Mark Galough, 1980
Upon graduation Mark started working as a cartographer but then moved into economic development.
Richard Ruth III, 1981
Richard reports that his career has been rooted in Geography since graduation. Today he is a New York State Licensed Professional Engineer and holds the title of Senior Project Engineer with a consulting firm in Kingston. He has also been Senior Project Coordinator in Environmental Programs for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
Neil Heywood, 1982
Neil completed his MA at the University of Georgia in 1984 and his PhD at the University of Colorado in 1989. He is currently on the faculty in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. In this capacity he has received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assist multiple Wisconsin Native American nations' environmental management coordination. He won an Excellence in University Teaching award in 1998 and has been very active in research, professional development and service.
Thomas Mason, 1982
Tom's career has been with the U. S. Air Force. As an intelligence analyst he has used his skills in remote sensing and earned awards as an imagery analyst. Much of his intelligence work has involved treaty verification and other security-type aspects. "I'm convinced that my success in this profession is liked to my studies at Plattsburgh." He is now a mid-level commander with the Air National Guard in Scotia that flies ski-equipped LC-130 planes about the Antarctic continent.
Sandra Ryan, 1983
Since graduation Sandra has earned a Master's degree in Geography from Oregon State University and a PhD from the University of Colorado. Her work with the Forest service started in Oregon in the Siskiyou National Forest and she moved to her current position as Research Hydrologist/Geomorphologist with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station in Laramie, Wyoming. Her current research is on the impacts of wildfire on stream sedimentation, channel morphology, and aquatic habitat and she heads up a research team consisting of a Riparian Ecologist, Fisheries Biologist, Aquatic Ecologist, a few Hydrologists, and assorted technicians. Sandy says this about geography: "The study of Geography has had a rather substantial impact on my life's work. What I've always appreciated most about the field is its integrative nature, combining elements of the physical environment within the human context. Given the nature of environmental issues facing the globe today, integrating knowledge from a number of disciplines is critical in developing workable solutions and the field of Geography is the perfect arena where this can happen."
Peter Lorenz, 1984
Peter is currently Program Director, Navy Doctrine, Navy Tactical
Development and Evaluation Program. He was a former Naval Aviator. During his career he has visited 65 different countries. Peter states: "Bottom line is the things I learned as a Geography Major have helped me succeed throughout my life both professionally and personally."
Glenn Fitchett, 1985
Upon graduation Glenn went to work for Grumman Aerospace Corp but in 15 months went to work for Topo-Metric Inc, a surveying and mapping firm on Long Island. He left this firm in 1993 to join the Fire Department of the City of New York where he is still employed.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you would like more information about Geography at Plattsburgh State, please contact
Dr. Robert Fuller (Chairperson)
Geography Program
Office: Hudson 102
Phone: (518) 564-2028
Fax: (518) 564-5267
E-mail: robert.fuller@plattsburgh.edu