Geosciences community celebrates growth, achievement

The Department of Geosciences at Auburn welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni and families to its annual Spring Picnic, held on April 26, under sunny skies and amid a wave of accomplishments and optimism.

Department Chair Timothy Hawthorne opened the event with heartfelt gratitude for the strong turnout during finals week.

“I am so thrilled to welcome you all back to campus,” he said. “Especially our students, because I know we’re in the midst of finals time. So thank you all for coming out today.”

The picnic offered far more than just sandwiches and sunshine — it was a moment to reflect on progress, honor achievements and energize the community for what’s ahead. Hawthorne emphasized a sense of momentum within the department, pointing to an unprecedented year of growth.

“This is a year of transformation,” he said, referencing the department’s relocation to the new STEM+Ag Complex in 2026. “Everything is moving forward.”

The event spotlighted key milestones, including the department’s success in hiring three new faculty members and celebrating significant faculty accolades, such as Haibo Zou's designation as the department’s first fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

“That’s one of the single best recognitions of scholarship in the U.S.,” Hawthorne said proudly.

Student accomplishments took center stage during the awards portion of the day. With support from the Geosciences Advisory Board, numerous scholarships and travel awards were presented, recognizing excellence in leadership, research and academic achievement.

The Thornton L. Neathery Outstanding Geology Student Award for the top undergraduate geology student in the state of Alabama was awarded to Nathan Deese — a standout moment in the ceremony.

The picnic also featured tours of the department’s new “Geo Explorer” mobile lab, an RV transformed into a rolling educational space that represents Auburn’s vision for expanding geosciences education nationwide.

Hawthorne underscored the department’s increasing engagement with alumni and donors.

“We are literally and figuratively taking the geosciences show on the road this summer,” referring to a national outreach and fundraising tour that includes a stop at the Esri Conference in San Diego and some planned pop-up events along the way with alumni and friends of Geosciences and COSAM with the brand new Geo Explorer Auburn mobile science lab.

In true Auburn spirit, the Geosciences Spring Picnic served not just as a year-end celebration, but as a powerful reminder of the department’s collaborative energy, upward trajectory and enduring sense of community.

To see more moments from the celebration, view the full photo album on Flickr.