Celebrating 20 Years of Discovery and Connection
May 30, 2025
This April, the Jackson School of Geosciences community – clad in cowboy hats, boots, and of course, plenty of burnt orange – came together to celebrate 20 years of the school at its Boots & BBQ celebration.
The celebration was just one of the many activities that were held as part of the school’s 20th anniversary activities. From April 3—5, the school welcomed more than 150 alumni, students, faculty, and friends to The University of Texas at Austin campus and beyond to reflect on 20 years of geosciences excellence – and discuss what’s next.
There was plenty of science: lab tours, six-minute science talks, and student research presentations. But there was also plenty of fun, including two-step lessons, barbeque, and reunions with old classmates and friends.
“The Jackson School has always been about more than just science — it’s about the people, the passion, and the purpose behind the work,” Dean Claudia Mora said. “Celebrating 20 years reminds us how far we’ve come and how much further we’re ready to go.”
We kicked things off Thursday evening with a relaxed social at Celis Brewery in North Austin — an easygoing start that brought alumni and friends together over good beer and great conversation.
Friday opened with a spirited student–alumni conversation on geosciences today, career journeys, and campus memories. Big thanks to alumni Gretchen Gillis, James McGuire, and students Will Eagle, Caroline Mackin, Juan Gutierrez, and Leena Abdulqader for their energy and insights.
The day continued with a dynamic series of talks. Dean Mora delivered a “State of the School” update, followed by inspiring presentations from BEG director Lorena Moscardelli and Jackson School department chair Danny Stockli, UTIG director Demian Saffer, Dr. Charlie Kerans, and others. From fieldwork to frontier research, the future is bright— and busy!
Attendees toured cutting-edge labs in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, visited the new Henry R. and Ann H. Hamman Gem and Mineral Gallery, and connected with students to hear about their research and experiences.
Friday night’s Boots & BBQ brought everyone back together for an evening of music, food, and fun — featuring the legendary Dale Watson and a lively silent auction. Toasts from Dean Claudia Mora, Professor Emeritus Mark Cloos, and alumni Nysha Chaderton and Elliott Pew capped off a truly memorable night.
On Saturday, behind-the-scenes tours at the Bureau of Economic Geology and the Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) gave guests a closer look at the amazing research being conducted there. The weekend concluded with Geology on the Water — a unique field experience led by faculty and researchers, with support from Danielle Zaleski, a senior and undergraduate research assistant at UTIG.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the weekend so special — our speakers, volunteers, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. Thank you for showing up, sharing your stories, and reminding us what makes the Jackson School community truly one of a kind.