2008 Woodie Awards
Meteorology program heats up
By: Nick Persons
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Voices
- Page 1 of 1
CMU's meteorology program is making a meteoric rise.
The program is the only one of its kind in the state and is gaining popularity.
"There's a lot of interest in the program," said Leigh Orf, assistant geography professor. "It was a lot of work getting the program on the books, but it was worth it."
Meteorology became available to students as a major in fall 2006.
The curriculum is landing students jobs at the National Weather Service and in the private sector, while some go on to graduate school.
"It is a difficult market, but not insurmountable," Orf said. "Our students are getting jobs. I want my students to be happy with their career choice."
Mount Pleasant senior Chris Snider said he is pleased with his occupational decision.
"It's a great program, very comprehensive," Snider said. "There are a wide variety of classes."
Snider said the university has a thriving meteorology club.
CMU's Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, headed by Leroy junior Morris Langworthy, is increasing in membership.
"It's really growing like crazy," Langworthy said. "The club's size has almost doubled the past two years."
The registered student organization has around 50 members and meets 9 p.m. Tuesdays in Dow 270.
The university has responded to the increasing demand by adding a new professor to teach meteorology, geography faculty Martin Baxter. Baxter teaches students how to analyze large-scale weather patterns and supervises national weather-predicting tournaments for interested students.
The program educates students on how to make weather predictions in the field.
"You can't predict weather if you can't understand it," Baxter said.
Orf said the program is still new and needs some tweaking. Post-college marketability is important to Orf.
"I try to make my students as prepared as possible, wherever they're going," he said. "We're really determined to make this a successful program."
Snider said he's had several internship positions in multiple states.
"It makes you more marketable," he said. "You're more competitive getting a job."
news@cm-life.com
The program is the only one of its kind in the state and is gaining popularity.
"There's a lot of interest in the program," said Leigh Orf, assistant geography professor. "It was a lot of work getting the program on the books, but it was worth it."
Meteorology became available to students as a major in fall 2006.
The curriculum is landing students jobs at the National Weather Service and in the private sector, while some go on to graduate school.
"It is a difficult market, but not insurmountable," Orf said. "Our students are getting jobs. I want my students to be happy with their career choice."
Mount Pleasant senior Chris Snider said he is pleased with his occupational decision.
"It's a great program, very comprehensive," Snider said. "There are a wide variety of classes."
Snider said the university has a thriving meteorology club.
CMU's Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, headed by Leroy junior Morris Langworthy, is increasing in membership.
"It's really growing like crazy," Langworthy said. "The club's size has almost doubled the past two years."
The registered student organization has around 50 members and meets 9 p.m. Tuesdays in Dow 270.
The university has responded to the increasing demand by adding a new professor to teach meteorology, geography faculty Martin Baxter. Baxter teaches students how to analyze large-scale weather patterns and supervises national weather-predicting tournaments for interested students.
The program educates students on how to make weather predictions in the field.
"You can't predict weather if you can't understand it," Baxter said.
Orf said the program is still new and needs some tweaking. Post-college marketability is important to Orf.
"I try to make my students as prepared as possible, wherever they're going," he said. "We're really determined to make this a successful program."
Snider said he's had several internship positions in multiple states.
"It makes you more marketable," he said. "You're more competitive getting a job."
news@cm-life.com
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