For its first Science Café of this academic year, the Gillespie Museum and Stetson University will host Jonathan D. Arthur, the state geologist and director of the Florida Geological Survey (FGS), a division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the museum.

During this informal conversation, titled “Ask the State Geologist,” Arthur will answer questions about geoscience and society, groundwater challenges and geoscience careers. The event is co-hosted by the Stetson Department of Environmental Science and Studies, and the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience.

The university’s environmental geologist, Ben Tanner, assistant professor of environmental science and studies, said, “Dr. Arthur’s visit to campus represents a wonderful opportunity for the Stetson community to learn more about the environmental challenges that are facing us in Florida today, and how the Florida Geological Survey is directly involved in addressing many of those challenges. His visit will also benefit our students as they learn more about potential careers in FGS.”

A graduate of Florida State University, Arthur is currently a fellow of the Geological Society of America, an ex-officio member of the Florida Board of Professional Geologists and a member of the American Geosciences Institute Executive Committee. He has received the John T. Galey, Sr. Memorial Public Service Award from the American Institute of Professional Geologists and has dedicated himself to public service by providing congressional briefings and testimony, keynotes and international workshops.

Arthur’s research interests include hydrogeochemistry and aquifer vulnerability with a special focus on geoscience policy and advocacy. He is eager to engage the public in geoscience, and to ensure that geoscience is applied to address societal and environmental issues.

The Gillespie Museum’s Science Café series is free and open to the public and offers Cultural Credit for Stetson’s undergraduate students along with promoting scientific literacy by encouraging relaxed conversations among scientists and nonscientists of all ages.

“This is our eighth year of hosting this series on Stetson University’s campus,” said museum Director Karen Cole. “We’re particularly pleased to have Dr. Arthur here to discuss his research and the work of the Florida Geological Survey.”

The Gillespie Museum has been a center for earth and environmental science on campus and in the community for the past six decades and houses an historic mineral collection with a 1,000 of its 15,000 specimens on display during rotating exhibits. The museum also includes small galleries devoted to natural history collecting, Florida ecosystems, fluorescent minerals, volcanism and the rock cycle.

The Gillespie Museum is located at 234 E. Michigan Ave., DeLand, and can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling 386.822.7330.