Geology Student Spotlight
The Geology Student Spotlight is your opportunity to learn a bit more about one of your fellow Geology majors at UNL. This week, Ethan Stowell from Papillion, Nebraska, is in the spotlight.
Name: Ethan Stowell
Majors: Geology and Computer Science
Year in School: Junior (ish)
Where are you from?
I am originally from Fort Myers, Florida, but I have lived most of my life in Omaha (Papillion).
What gets you excited about Geology?
I love learning about how different structures, patterns, and datasets can tell the story of a region throughout millions – or even billions – of years.
Favorite Geology class or instructor so far? Why?
This is a tough one – I really appreciated Dr. Elkins’ mineralogy course for the taste of fieldwork, and I had a lot of fun combining computer science with geology in Dr. Haacker’s groundwater geology course. I also greatly enjoy working with Dr. Filina, who heads our geophysics team and has provided me with fantastic mentorship and exceptional learning opportunities.
What are you excited about doing after graduation?
I’m still not sure what I intend to do after graduation, but I’m hoping to do something with computer science or geophysics . . . or both!
What is a goal you have accomplished as a Husker?
One goal that I had coming into university was to travel more, which I had expected to do by studying abroad or vacationing during spring break, but I ended up accomplishing through a great mix of outdoor rock-climbing trips, indoor bouldering competitions, field trips in geology classes, and very soon attending my first major academic conference with the UNL Geophysics Team!
What do you wish you would have known when you started as a Geology Major that you know now?
I wish I had known about the many research opportunities for undergraduates within the department! There are a lot of projects with openings for a variety of skill sets and interests.
What do you hope to cross off your “bucket list” in the next few years?
My biggest bucket list item that I would like to accomplish in the next few years is climbing and cross-country skiing in the mountains and glaciers of Chilean Patagonia!
If you would like to see yourself in the spotlight, please contact Doug for more information.