“Through good times and the tough times, Ms. Tiny Striegel remained our most important benefactor and advocate. Tiny, like her father Les, looked forward each year to the day the camp opened.” Dr. Jim Puckette, former field camp director Like Huston and Striegel, Puckette has been a key figure in the development of field camp — something he is excited to see continue under Spencer’s leadership. “Field camp must evolve as geological science evolves,” Puckette said. “I am very enthused and supportive of the proposed camp improvements that can make the facility available for other disciplines outside of geoscience and extend the use of the camp into the spring and fall.” Spencer said that taking over the field camp director role from Puckette was intimidating, as Puckette was recognized as one of the best field instructors in the country. However, Spencer intends to create his own legacy with the vision he has planned. “I don’t think anyone can be the new Jim Puckette,” Spencer said. “So there’s pressure at times. Our alumni had Puckette as their field camp instructor 15, 20 years ago. There’s an expectation there that we’ll continue to run a quality field camp. But of course, it will be different. I’m making it my own.” In his plan, Spencer will work to expand the marketing of field camp. He plans on introducing a few new concentrations to widen the pool of applicants. “Going forward in the next three or four years, we’ll market ourselves not only as a geology field camp, but also a geophysics field camp and an environmental geoscience field camp,” Spencer said. “Running simultaneously in the same field areas or similar field areas, having everybody together, feeding them together, all within the same facilities will be really advantageous. “With this, we can probably reach students that are environmental majors, environmental geoscience, environmental geology and engineering — fields where our students could use this field experience.” The energy of field camp lies within the students, something both Spencer and Puckette agree on. They explained that the remote nature of the camp in Cañon City influences students to collaborate and create memories together. “We want to see students having fun and making friends,” Spencer said. “Jim and I have talked a lot about keeping the spirit alive and living up to their expectations of field camp.” Although Puckette is retired, he will still be present at OSU as an emeritus professor and mentor to the program. “He’s not going anywhere, honestly,” Spencer said. “He’s passed the torch on, and we hope to have a great time out there for years to come.” Scan to learn more about field camp, including how to get involved through giving. 10 CONNECT 2024
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