Cedarville University in Ohio recently announced the promotion of Institute for Creation Research Graduate School (ICRGS) graduate John H. Whitmore to professor of geology.
Dr. Whitmore earned his undergraduate degree in geology from Kent State University in 1985 and his masters in geology from ICRGS in 1991. He was awarded his doctorate in 2003 from Loma Linda University, with an emphasis in biology and paleontology.
"I first heard about ICR when Dr. Duane Gish came to Kent State to speak," he said in a recent phone interview. "I had a lot of questions in those early days."
He attended one of ICR's summer institute programs in 1983, when the ministry headquarters was located in El Cajon, California. There, he studied primarily under Dr. Steve Austin, current Chair of the Geology Department at ICRGS, and Dr. John Morris, ICR President.
"John [Whitmore] is one of the best students to ever go through the graduate school," Dr. Morris said. "He was already a competent geologist before, and he developed outstanding skills and has become a valued colleague in creation science and creation evangelism."
"He was in many ways 'discipled' by [Dr. Austin], who is arguably the most productive creation geologist," Dr. Morris added.
"I learned a lot from Dr. Austin about field work," Dr Whitmore said. "I still enjoy working with him [on research projects like] the FAST project."1
His first trip to Grand Canyon was in 1985 as an ICR graduate student. "We hiked down into the canyon and camped for three days," he explained. He also explored the Coconino Sandstone, as well as similar sandstones in England and in Colorado, called the Lyons Sandstone. These sandstone deposits, although located in different places around the world, are very similar and present strong evidence for a worldwide flood.
When Dr. Whitmore started working at Cedarville University as a geology instructor, he conducted field research during the summer and analysis during the school year. "It's a privilege to work at Cedarville," he said. "It's mostly a teaching school, but they have been very helpful in accommodating my research."
When asked about his promotion, he laughed. "It's been a long haul, but it's a great honor," he said. He then explained that he started a geology major unit that currently has 12 students.
Dr. Whitmore's promotion will take effect in August 2010. ICR congratulates him on this great accomplishment.
Reference
- ICR's Flood Activated Sedimentation and Tectonics (FAST) research project is headed by Dr. Steve Austin. For more information, see National Creation Science Foundation Awards First Grant. Acts & Facts. 37 (10): 9.
Photo credit: Scott L. Huck/Cedarville University
* Ms. Dao is Assistant Editor at the Institute for Creation Research.
Article posted on May 24, 2010.
