Educational Service of the Tennessee Division of Geology, 1831-Present

The Tennessee Division of Geology has a close, long-term relationship with the educational establishment in Tennessee that has changed in nature over the years but remains strong. Gerard Troost, the first State Geologist, was a college professor, as was his successor, James M. Safford, and, more recently, L. C. Glenn. From 1909 to 1923 the affairs of the State Geological Survey were overseen by a Geological Commission that included, ex officio, the President of the University of Tennessee, the Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of the South; then, from 1923 to 1937, the Division of Geology was administratively part of the State Department of Education.

Since becoming part of the Conservation Department in 1937 the Division has served an educational function by publishing both scholarly and popular works on the geology of the state; by answering inquiries on every subject from paleontology to water-witching; by advising news media on geology-related stories; by giving talks to school, museum, and other groups; and by close cooperation with university geology departments on research projects. The Division has had a strong role in graduate education, particularly at the Master's level, by conducting field excursions for students, financing theses through student mapping projects, by loans of field equipment, and serving as informal thesis advisors. Long-term assistance to geology departments has also included part-time employment of professors as consultants, publication of studies by professors and students, and part-time teaching by Division staff members. Most of these forms of educational assistance have suffered in recent years, due to budget cuts and loss of staff positions.