Education

B.S. 1979 Radford College – Geology
M.S. 1994 Marshall University – Environmental Science

Courses Taught

GEOL 100. Earth Resources and Natural Hazards
GEOL 105. Exploring Earth
GEOL/UAS 307. FAA Pt 107 Remote Pilot Exam Test Prep
GEOL 365 Oceanography
GEOL/UAS 409. Advanced UAS Flight Operations
GEOL 481. Independent Study
Summer Bridge Geology Track
Summer Physics Camp: “Mineralogy and Physics of the Cookie Tin Banjo”

Research Interests

George Stephenson spent many years in the fossil fuel industry after leaving Radford College. He eventually designed and used his own equipment for the sampling and testing of sidewall cores for Coal-Bed Methane Desorption Studies within the Appalachian and Illinois Coal Basins. After starting his teaching career in 2002, Stephenson assisted other professors in their research. One of his skills is building specialized equipment that helps researchers in their work. He has assisted in research topics such as: looking for evidence for asteroid/meteor impact that may have contributed to the demise of the Wooly Mammoth on the North American Continent (research focused in Saltville, Virginia); investigating the mechanisms for the sudden draining of Mountain Lake in Pearisburg, Virginia; investigating and monitoring stability issues related to Natural Bridge in Virginia; and research to see how practical it is to use UAS/UAV in Rock Slope Stability studies for VDOT.

Stephenson has also mentored many students in their own research and assisted them in making and repairing equipment. He loves seeing students develop their own skills, and is glad to give them any help he can. Most recently he has accepted the challenge of being the Director of the Museum of the Earth Sciences, where his imagination and skills of building displays and exhibits are well received. Here again, he loves to see his students involved and develop their imagination and skills.