Abstract: Oregon is a state of wondrous natural beauty, with its diversity of stunning landscapes and even climates; a result of its geology. We can divide the state into ten physiographic regions; each distinct from one another due to their varied and complex geologic history.

In this “photo tour” of Oregon, Dr. William Orr and Sheila Alfsen will, in turn, examine each of the various regions, highlight their interesting geology, and then build a collage of them in chronological order. Your presenters are both professional geologists and collectively represent 80 years of teaching experience.

Biographies: 

Sheila Alfsen, MAT, GIT (Oregon State Board Geologic Examiners)

Background

• Graduate work in Paleontology- University of Oregon, Volcanology, Oceanography
• Master of Arts in Teaching, Western Oregon University
• Bachelors of Arts from Western Oregon University, Geology and Spanish
• Oregon resident since 1970- extensively traveled in US, particularly the Western states,  Alaska, Arctic, Iceland, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico
• 35 years in Education- 5 yrs teaching High School Science

Current

• Current instructor of Geology (15 years) -  Portland State University, Chemeketa Community College, Linn Benton Community College
• Curriculum and Course Development -  Portland State University
• AWG Distinguished Lecturer
• Past President, Outreach Officer and Program Director of Geologic Society of the Oregon Country (Portland)
• Professional Consultant – Environmental Impact Statements in Paleontology for Paleontology Associates, GeoEngineers, Tetra Tech, and Natural Resource Group

William N. Orr, Ph.D., Geologist/Paleontologist

Education

• B.S.  Geology, Oklahoma University, 1961
• M.S.  Geology/Paleontology, University of California, Riverside & U.C.L.A. 1964
• Ph.D.  Geology/Paleontology, Michigan State University, 1968

Professional Qualifications

• Registered Professional Geologist/Paleontologist in Oregon and Washington
• Doctoral degree awarded in geology

Experience and Employment record

• Over 60 years of industry/education work in paleontology, geology and oceanography.
• Employed in 1966 as assist. Prof. at Eastern Wash. State College. 1967, hired as assistant Professor at the Univ. of Oregon 1967 teaching geology, oceanography and paleontology and awarded tenure in 1972. Retired in from the U. of O. in 1997 as full professor with emeritus rank.
•  In 1997 began as adjunct for Chemeketa Community College and PSU. Prior to that in the summers of 1970 to 1990 I taught courses (geology) on behalf of Chemeketa at the Salem correctional institutions: OSP, OSCI, OWCC and Mill Creek.
• Sabbatical leaves from the U. of O. I lectured in South Africa, China (PRC), Japan, Korea, India and several institutions in the Middle East. In academic years 1985-87 I was in US Federal civil service as program officer for the Natl. Sci. Foundation in Wash D.C. funded research projects in marine geology and paleontology, 7 million dollar budget, 1978-79 managed the Deep Sea Drilling Project for NSF, a 22 million dollar budget.
• Consulting: Throughout my academic career I did private consulting for the petroleum industry.  In 1997 I set up my own company: (Paleontology Associates).  With a team of 2 to 5 other geologists, primarily doing environmental monitoring. 
• Director of the Oregon State Museum of Paleontology  1982-2017. Eugene.
• Professor of Geology at the Univ. of Oregon  responsible for research and teaching geology,  paleontology and oceanography as well as training and supervising M.S. and Ph.D. students in these specialties.
• Oregon State Board of Geologist Examiners. Appointed to the board 1996 by Gov. John Kitzhaber.  Appointed as board chair,1999, by Gov. Ted Kulongoski
• Currently registered as Member at Large for ASBOG/Associated Board of Registered Geologists
• Paleontological Society, Cordilleran Section, Past President