As mentioned 11 WKU meteorology/land, weather, climate majors traveled to Austin, TX for the Annual American Meteorological Society (AMS) meeting. Dr. Mahmood, WKU professor of geography/meteorology, also made the trip to Austin with his family to attend the meeting.
The 11 WKU meteorology students that attended the 2013 Annual AMS meeting. Photo courtesy of Andrew Dockery.
Students left Bowling Green last Friday morning and after staying the night in Dallas, TX made their way to Austin Saturday morning just in time to attend the Student Conference. The Student Conference featured keynote speakers Dr. Steve Lyons, Meteorologist in Charge at NWS San Angelo, TX (formerly of The Weather Channel)
Dr. Steve Lyons, MIC at the NWS San Angelo, TX office, was a keynote speaker at the AMS Student Conference. Photo courtesy of Andrew Dockery.
and Dr. Francis Slakey of Georgetown University. The Student Conference as provided an opportunity for students to attend breakout sessions that varied from individuals in the private sector, those in research, those in the public sector including National Hurricane Director Dr. Rick Knabb, and individuals associated with graduate school. All told there were numerous speakers from all sectors of the meteorological field at the student conference that specifically directed there talks and gave advice to meteorology, climate, hydrology etc… students. A career fair and graduate school reception also provided and excellent opportunity for students to connect with possible employers as well as professors and students from graduate schools.
To end the student conference, students from across the nation presented research in a poster session. WKU was well represented with 3 research posters being presented. Andrew Dockery and John L. Thomas presented a poster entitled “A Case Study of a Rare Long-Track EF-3 Tornado in Eastern Kentucky” which was a result of research with Dr. Durkee done during the 2012 Summer Research Seminar. Other WKU students Tyler Binkley, Ryan Difani, Micheal Flanigan (not pictured), and Quentin Walker also worked on the research.
Tyler Binkley, Andrew Dockery, John L. Thomas, Quentin Walker, Ryan Difani, (from left to right) and Michael Flanigan (not pictured) with their research poster presented during the Student Conference at the 2013 AMS Annual Meeting. Photo courtesy of Will Paschall.
Emily Yates presented her research poster entitled “March 9 Hawaii Kona Low System Case Study” which was research she did for her Weather Forecasting and Analysis Project.
Emily Yates with her research poster during the student conference at the 2013 Annual AMS Meeting. Photo courtesy of Will Paschall.
Finally Chris Johnson presented a research poster entitled “15th Anniversary of Mid-South Severe Weather Outbreak.” This research project was a result of Dr. Durkee’s Fall Research Seminar. Others working on this research were Emily Yates, Micheal Flanigan (not pictured) and Quentin Walker.
Quentin Walker, Emily Yates, Chris Johnson (from left to right) and Michael Flanigan (not pictured) with their research poster during the student conference at the 2013 Annual AMS Meeting. Photo courtesy of Will Paschall.
Starting Monday the main conference was underway with numerous talks throughout the week. Some favorites of students were talks on tornadoes, hurricanes, and lightning. Aside from the talks there were opportunities to meet and network with other professionals. Officers of the WKU AMS/NWA student chapter attended a chapter officers breakfast on Tuesday morning. An exhibit fair featured numerous professionals in the field with which students could meet with. The Doppler on Wheels (DOW) vehicle was also on display with researcher Dr. Josh Wurman present. Finally not to be left out was some great Texas food enjoyed by the group including an excellent “Tex-Mex” location in downtown Austin and some fantastic barbecue from The Ironworks Barbecue also located in downtown Austin. The trip concluded with
Chili and a brisket barbecue sandwich from “The Ironworks Barbecue” in downtown Austin, TX. Photo courtesy of Andrew Dockery.
the AMS banquet on Wednesday evening. The group left out Thursday morning to make the trip back to Bowling Green. Also not to be left out, WKU student Austin Boys served as a student volunteer throughout the conference. The group thoroughly enjoyed the conference and we are already making plans to attend next year’s annual meeting in Atlanta, GA.