Rick Carlson Honored at Geology & Geophysics Department Picnic

May 1, 2017

The Department of Geology and Geophysics honored Dr. Rick Carlson at the 2017 Department Picnic this past spring.

Dr. Rick Carlson is retiring from the Department of Geology and Geophysics after 40 years as a geophysics professor. He taught various courses including physical geology, mineralogy, geophysical methods, global geophysics, geodynamics, and geomechanics. Dr. Carlson was appointed the Associate Director of the Geodynamics Research Institute in 1987 and was the inaugural holder of the Dudley J. Hughes Endowed Chair in the department since 2002. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Carlson served as Department Head of the Department of Geology and Geophysics, and was also named a Regents Professor in 2003 by Texas A&M University. The Regents Professor Award recognizes and honors professors who have provided exemplary service as faculty members not only to their university, but also to the community. Outside of Texas A&M, Dr. Carlson served a term as the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Marine Geology and Geophysics Program, an Associate Editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research, a Science Advisor to the Ocean Drilling Program, and was active in the Bryan-College Station community.

Dr. Carlson received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Washington. Dr. Carlson’s research interests are in rock physics, with application to the structure, evolution, composition, and physical state of the oceanic crust and lithosphere. His work was funded through various sources including the NSF. Dr. Carlson has been with the Department of Geology and Geophysics since 1977, and has not only contributed within those 40 years, but was also present to see the merge between the Department of Geology and the Department of Geophysics into the Department of Geology and Geophysics. He also served as the Department Advisor to the Geophysics Program where he advised both undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Carlson was also very active at Texas A&M, participating in various university and college committees including his position as Speaker for the University’s Faculty Senate. We thank Dr. Carlson for his contributions to Department of Geology and Geophysics.

Dr. Carlson will split his time after retirement between his home state of Washington and Bryan-College Station.

To see pictures from the Geology & Geophysics Department picnic where we honored Dr. Rick Carlson, click here.

By: Cristina Figueroa '15