On October 7, 2019, Dr. Ross Powell, Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees Professor (BoTP), shared his extensive research on environmental and climatic changes with the NIU community. As a recipient of the Board of Trustees Professorship, Dr. Powell has achieved a consistent record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, service and outreach, and academic leadership. He has also earned national and international recognition for professional achievements and has made substantial contributions in higher education. 
Colleagues, students and administrators from across campus were captivated by the remarkable photos and extraordinary stories that Dr. Powell shared about NIU research across the globe. Throughout his extraordinary career spanning 45 years, Dr. Powell has published more than 145 scientific publications (including in Nature), delivered over 300 presentations at scientific conferences, and served on many national and international scientific steering and advisory committees.
Dr. Powell has worked with international researchers and students to collect data on the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets and their interaction with the sea. NIU collaborations on geoscience research projects have been conducted in Alaska, Antarctica, Baffin Island, Chile, Svalbard, and other sites.
Many students have participated in research expeditions with Dr. Powell. Research opportunities have allowed students to work with international scholars and scientists while collecting and analyzing data from ½ mile below glaciers in the Antarctic. Ice cores and sediment collected from the depths of the dark ocean provide evidence of the existence of limited, unique lifeforms and the significant impact of climate change on the planet. During the seminar, Dr. Powell explained the critical nature of global warming and shared a number of actions that we can take to mitigate or adapt to the warming of the planet.
Graduates of the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences continue NIU’s legacy of research as scientists in various fields related to the environment, agriculture, energy, and academia. The NIU Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019.
The BoTP seminar series is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center. More information on NIU Board of Trustees Professorships is available at go.niu.edu/BoTP and information on programs sponsored by the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center is available at go.niu.edu/facdevprograms. Questions may be directed to the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center at 815-753-0595.
