Campus News
March 20th, 2023
JCLS speaker to present on arctic research
Dr. McCoy serves as director of Alaska-based Geophysical Institute
Dr. Robert McCoy, director of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, will be this month's Joan Crawford Lecture Series presenter.
Dr. Robert McCoy, a physicist currently serving as director of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, will be this month's Joan Crawford Lecture Series presenter.
McCoy's presentation – "Arctic Research at the Geophysical Institute" – will take place on Monday, March 27th at 6 p.m. in the recital hall at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Created in 1946, the Geophysical Institute permits scientists to study geophysical processes from the center of the Earth to the surface of the sun and beyond. The institute's scientists turn data and observations into information useful for state, arctic, and national priorities.
"Dr. McCoy is an expert in planetary and space phenomenon," said Dr. Ryan Harrod, GC's dean of academic affairs, who previously taught at the University of Alaska Anchorage. "We're really excited to be able to have him participating in the Joan Crawford Lecture Series."
The Geophysical Institute manages numerous operational facilities, including the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the Alaska Earthquake Center, the Arctic Regional Supercomputing Center, and the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration.
McCoy, who is a Garrett County second-home owner, received his A.B. in Physics from Cornell University. He went on to earn his M.S. in Physics from Texas A&M, and his Ph.D. in Astro-Geophysics from the University of Colorado.
A former Army officer, McCoy led a team of scientists and engineers in building two dozen flight-related instruments on sounding rockets, the Space Shuttle, and experimental and Department of Defense operational satellite platforms.
Garrett College's faculty created the Joan Crawford Lecture Series in honor of the dynamic educator Joan R. Crawford.
Crawford, who died in 2010, served the College community for more than 30 years, including serving as the head of the humanities division and director of enrollment. After her retirement, Crawford was named Professor Emerita.
The Joan Crawford Lecture Series of presentations are offered free of charge, and the public and community members are invited to attend.
All presentations from the Joan Crawford Lecture Series will be available to view online through the College's Facebook page. The lectures will be live streamed and recordings will be posted shortly after the event.
