Robert M. Thorson
Professor/Earth Sciences

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Education
  • Bemidji State College (Minnesota)/Earth Science Teaching , BS 1973
  • University of Alaska/Geology , M.S. 1975
  • University of Washington/Geology , Ph.D. 1979
Positions
  • Alaska Quaternary Center - University of Alaska/Founding Director 1982 - 1984
  • Connecticut State Museum of Natural History/Coordinator - Stone Wall Initiative 2003
  • Dartmouth College/Visiting Scholar - Department of History 1991 - 1992
  • Harvard University/Affiliate Scholar - American Studies 2012 - 2013
  • The Hartford Courant/Journalist (Essayist and Columnist) 2003 - 2018
  • Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria/Profesor Visitante de Obras Civiles 1999 - 2000
  • University of Alaska/Assistant Professor 1980 - 1984
  • University of Alaska Museum/Research Affiliate 1984 - 1986
  • University of Alaska Museum/Head - Earth Surface Processes 1982 - 1984
  • University of Connecticut/Honors Fellow - Honors Program 2004 - 2010
  • University of Connecticut/Interim (Transitional) Head - Department of Geosciences 2019 - 2021
  • University of Connecticut/Professor - Department of Earth Sciences 2022
  • University of Connecticut/Assistant Professor - Dept. Geology & Geophysics 1984 - 1987
  • University of Connecticut/Associate Professor - Department of Geology & Geophysics (+Anthropology) 1990 - 1996
  • University of Connecticut/Professor - Department of Geology & Geophysics 1996 - 2004
  • University of Connecticut/Professor - Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (+Anthropology) 2004 - 2019
  • University of Wisconsin/Assistant Professor 1979 - 1980
  • U.S. Geological Survey/Geologist 1976 - 1979
  • U.S. Geological Survey/Geologist (WAE; When Actually Employed) 1979 - 1981
  • U.S. Geological Survey/Geological Assistant 1975 - 1976
  • Yale University/Visiting Faculty Fellow - Department of History 1990 - 1991
Special Titles
  • Coordinator: Stone Wall Initiative - Museum of Natural History

    1/1/08

Awards and Honors
  • Best History Writing of 2023, History News Network 2024
  • Bookbuilders Award (shared), Bookbuilders Guild of New York. 2004
  • Choice: Outstanding Academic Reference Book (shared), Choice: Association of College and Research Libraries, ALA 1983
  • Connecticut Book Award: Nonfiction, Connecticut Center for the Book (Library of Congress) 2003
  • Connecticut Book Award: Nonfiction (shared), Connecticut Center for the Book 2004
  • Cover Story - Earth Magazine, American Geological Institute 2014
  • David Blick Award for Science Education, UConn Neag School of Education 2003
  • Director's Service Award: Center for Integrative Geosciences, Center for Integrative Geosciences, UCONN 2019
  • Elected Fellow - Geological Society of America, Geological Society of America 2015
  • Elected Honorary Member - Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa 2024
  • Elected Member: American Antiquarian Association, American Antiquarian Assocation (Elected member) 2018
  • Homer Babbidge Award, Association of Connecticut History 2004
  • Honors Faculty Member of the Year, UConn Honors Program 2010
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Clean Energy (a 40-year old Environmental Nonprofit) 2012
  • Listing in "100 Books Across America", Literary Hub (http://lithub.com/):The Best of the Literary Internet 2017
  • Mellon Foundation Fellow - Yale History, Yale University 1990
  • National Thomas Wellman Award for Community Service (shared), American Association of Opinion Page Editors 2003
  • New England Museum Association Book Award, New England Museum Association 2011
  • Outstanding Alumni Award, Bemidji State College 1990
  • Penrose Bequest Grant, Geological Society of America 1974
  • "Worn-out Dissertation Award", Office of the State Geologist, Washington State Geological Survey 2000
  • Senior Fulbright Scholar, Bilateral Fulbright Commission 1998
  • Smithsonian Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian Institution 1998
  • Special Achievement Award, UConn - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 1990
  • Special Achievement Award, UConn - College of LIberal Arts and Sciences 1986
  • Summa cum Laude, Bemidji State College, Minnesota 1973
  • Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Award, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 2023
  • Thoreau Bicentennial Lecture Series, Concord Free Public Library 2017
  • Three-time Nominee: Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Earth Sciences 2020
Faculty Keywords
Faculty Co-Authors