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Jan. 12, 2016

Plates, plumes and planetary punches

“I am proud to be part of research that is building our understanding of the Earth while it is building the foundation for my scientific career.” —Matthew Ryan Karl, Graduate Fellow, Geological Sciences

A $7 million gift from an anonymous donor to MSU’s Department of Geological Sciences is creating a strong center of support to foster a better understanding of Earth's systems and resources.

The gift is providing endowed graduate fellowship support and has funded three endowed professorships and completed funding for a fourth that was previously begun with another gift. One of the new professors has already been recruited.

Tile that says: With private support, Spartans are carving out new approaches to address pressing problems and prepare for emerging opportunities

Joining the MSU faculty in May, Allan McNamara is an international expert in numerical modeling of deep earth processes including the plates and plumes in mantle convection, a driving force behind continental drift and a cause of catastrophic earthquakes and volcanoes.

Reprinted with permission from Empower Extraordinary: The Campaign for Michigan State University

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