Richard M. Busch is a Professor of Geology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He holds degrees in geology from Franklin & Marshall College (A.B.), Temple University (M.A.), and University of Pittsburgh (PhD) and has published scholarly work in both geology and geoscience education. For the past 30 years he has been teaching geology to undergraduate majors and non-majors. For the past 22 years he has been teaching classes on science teaching methods for majors in elementary and secondary education. He also has work experience as a hydrogeologist, museum educator, and consultant on stratigraphy and science education. His work as Editor of the AGI-NAGT Lab Manual in Physical Geology… spans eight editions over 22 years, during which time he has also been involved in the in the development of K-16 textbooks and ancillary products.
Fred Lutgens andEd Tarbuck have been good friends and colleagues since 1970. Between them, they have more than 57 years of experience teaching geology to undergraduates, and both have been recognized with awards as excellent and inspiring professors. They share a special interest in introducing geology to beginning students and a belief in the value of field experiences for students of all levels. Lutgens and Tarbuck published their first college text, Earth Science, In 1976. That book, winner of the McGuffy Award from the Text and Academic Authors Association, Is now going into its tenth edition. In 1983, As the first edition of Earth was being prepared, gifted geology illustrator Dennis… Tasa joined the author team. Since then the three have collaborated on more than twenty projects. Not only do Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa work well together creatively; they also enjoy spending time in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Tasa's New Mexico studio. Tarbuck enjoys downhill skiing in Colorado, fly fishing near his childhood home in Northern Minnesota, and spending time in the Cascades. Lutgens is an avid runner, and when he can make the time, truly enjoys hiking the canyons of the Colorado Plateau. Although Lutgens and Tarbuck think alike on many issues, they don't agree on everything. Lutgens is devoted to jazz and classical music, whereas Tarbuck prefers pop artists or a good country station.