There will be no pictures or comments concerning my granddog or Hawaii in this issue.  I realize you will all be sadly disappointed.

     The major point I would like to stress in this column is the question of whether or not the membership that chose to be certified professional geologists in Kansas have been able to acquire sufficient CEU’s.  I have the distinct impression that the members living in central and southwest Kansas and surrounding areas are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to getting the necessary CEU’s.

     In the last issue of the Bulletin, there was an announcement of a course at Fort Hays State University to be held in May of 2003.  After the Bulletin went to press, I was contacted by Ken Neuhauser of FHSU that the course had been postponed due to budgetary constraints.  I believe the course was filled or nearly filled at the time the powers that be cancelled the course.  Ken plans to offer the course either in the summer or next Fall.

     Shortly after hearing from Ken, I was contacted by a geologist from Hoisington, Kansas who had planned to satisfy his CEU’s by taking this course.  Because this gentlemen is in the latter half of the alphabet, he is in dire need of finding some other course to meet his CEU quota.  I am sure there are others away from Wichita who are in the same predicament.  The local membership is able to acquire their CEU’s one at a time thanks to the hard work of Technical Program Chairman, Bob Cowdery.  Most out-of-town members cannot make trips to Wichita every week or so to attend these one hour meetings.

      Wichita State University is offering a one hour course by Dr. Wan Yang entitled “Sedimentology and Stratigraphic Architecture of Upper Pennsylvanian Oread Cyclothem in Shelf-to-Delta Transition Zone, SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma.”  This course consists of a one day field trip on Saturday March 29, 2003 with a 3 hour lab class on Sunday the 30th. 

     If the course is taken as a one hour college credit, it will be worth 45 CEU’s.  The KGS has also made arrangements for members to take the course through the KGS for 8 CEU’s for the field trip and 4 CEU’s for the lab.  Space is very limited, so early enrollment is required.  Those needing the 45 CEU’s must register for the class through Wichita State University.  Please read President Pierce’s column for further details.

     I attended two workshops worth 6 CEU’s each at the Kansas Geological Survey in Lawrence on February 6 and 7.  There were 8 local society members in attendance on the 6th with 4 members present on the 7th.  Both workshops were worth the time and expense involved.  The Survey will also be offering a course on March 21 in Lawrence entitled “Reading the Rocks from Wireline Logs.”  The course instructor will be John Doveton.  I hope to attend this workshop and encourage others to attend.  The cost is $45.00.  Contact Lisa Love at 785.864.7398 for registration information.

     The Fifteenth Annual Oil Recovery Conference will be held in Wichita on March 12 and 13 at the Bank of America, Lower Level and the Petroleum Club.  Further information is available at the same contact as noted in the paragraph above.
 OK, I lied.  ‘Opu left for his new home in Hawaii on January 4, 2003 and spent 30 days in quarantine.  The cost to spring him from prison was about $650.00.  Must have been some really good dog food.  He was visited daily by mom and dad, so he got along well.

Bye for now,

Wes