Contacts:
Paul Spry, Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, (515) 294-1837
Thomas Mitchell, ISU Foundation, (515) 294-8856
Skip Derra, News Service, (515) 294-4917

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES RECEIVES SOFTWARE GIFT FROM ISU ALUMNUS

AMES, Iowa -- A recent gift of computer software will provide Iowa State University students in the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences a competitive advantage when they enter the oil and gas, or environmental industries.

Assistant professor and applied geophysicist Igor Beresnev will use the software to teach a new graduate level class in applied seismology this fall.

"This equipment provides our students the latest technology for hands-on experience," said Paul Spry, department chair. Spry said the software uses seismic data to allow students to see high-quality, three-dimensional images of the structure beneath the Earth's surface. This, in turn, allows the identification of oil- or gas-bearing layers of rock.

The $450,000 computer software is a gift from Seismic Micro-Technology, Houston.

"We're donating our software to ensure that the next generation of geoscientists is well prepared for the challenges of their industries," said Seismic Micro-Technology president and ISU graduate, Tom Smith. "We believe that 'Kingdom Suite' is an effective tool for providing students with the technological edge they will need."

Both Tom and his wife, Evonne Johnson Smith, are Iowa State alumni. Originally from Boone, Iowa, Tom Smith, received his bachelor's (1968) and master's (1971) degrees in geology from ISU.

The Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences currently has 41 graduate students and annually teaches more than 1,000 students introductory classes.

This gift of software from Seismic Micro-Technology is a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' original Campaign Destiny goal of $24.4 million. Managed by the ISU Foundation, the five-year campaign is the largest in Iowa State history and is scheduled to reach its $425-million goal by June 30, 2000.

- 30 -

-30-

Iowa State homepage

University Relations, online@iastate.edu
Copyright © 1999, Iowa State University, all rights reserved