35th Anniversary: People


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EVENTS ARCHIVES

CIRES People, 1967-2002

CIRES Directors -
Past and Present

J.C. "Chris Harrison
Director 1969-1972

Chris has been a part of CIRES from its earliest conception in 1966. He became the founding director of CIRES in the fall of 1967, a position he held until 1972. Chris' received his Ph.D. from Cambridge, and his broad interests in the geophysical sciences were centered on gravity and geodesy. He is recognized as the person most responsible for the birth and early nurturing of a prominent program in geophysics at CU. His research on crustal deformation remained an important component of the global CU effort. In 1976 he proceeded to develop and deploy borehole tiltmeters. Chris left the University of Colorado in 1982 to accept a position in the private sector in California. He lives today in Santa Barbara with his wife Elaine.

Carl Kisslinger
Director 1972-1979

Carl has been a part of CIRES for 30 of its 35 years. He received his Ph.D. from St. Louis University, and was on the faculty there before he came to CU to lead CIRES through adolescence. The casual, respectful, and mutually supportive atmosphere among the institute's scientists and staff was established by his example, as was its dedication to excellence in all endeavors. "Adak was the office nickname for the Aleutian Islands Seismic Network, a prominent project in Carl's research for many of his CIRES years. In 1994, Carl again led the institute as interim director before Susan Avery took office. He retired from active teaching in 1995, but the history book published for this occasion bears witness to his continuing and active involvement in the institute. One of his last official acts was to establish the title of "Fellow Emeritus of which he, appropriately, is the first. He and his wife Penny are enjoying the opportunity retirement presents to spend more time with children and grandchildren.

Robert E. Sievers
Director 1980-1993

CIRES' third director received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, and came to CU in 1975 as a Professor of Chemistry. He became director of CIRES in 1980, a position he held until 1993. Bob's years at the helm were marked by significant growth, a permanent testament to which is the CIRES building, completed in 1988. His interests are varied within science and beyond. His numerous professional awards include the Tswett Medal and the Dimick Award in chromatography for his research on atmospheric aerosols. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to found two local companies and his skill as a sculptor is recognized by the 2001 Thomas Jefferson Award for contributions in science, the arts, and public service. Bob has served as Regent of the University since 1991. He and his wife Nancy have been an active part of CIRES for over two decades.

Susan K. Avery
Director 1994-present

Susan Avery joined CIRES in 1982 as a Visiting Fellow, having received her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1978. She is the first woman, and the first engineer to be CIRES' Director. She is a Fellow of IEEE and AMS and the recipient of the prestigious Margaret Willard Award, the Elizabeth Gee Award, and the Robert L. Stearns Award from the University. During Susan's tenure, CIRES has established a thriving K-12 Outreach program and the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research [ About the Center ] , both efforts to make CIRES research more applicable, understandable and accessible to the public. Susan spearheaded CIRES recent reorganization of the institute into six themes that reflect its diverse science. She is also responsible for the popular and unique Innovative Research Program and establishment of the Western Water Assessment initiative. Susan's husband Jim, like Susan, is a Professor of Electrical Engineering, and a former Fellow, so they keep CIRES all in their family.

In Recognition of
Long-time Service

John W. Birks
Professor of Chemistry, 1977-2002

John Birks received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1977, John moved his research group to the University of Colorado where he has been instrumental in developing the Analytical Chemistry Division. John is best known for quantifying the rates of several chemical reactions key to understanding ozone depletion in the stratosphere, his seminal work in 1981/82 with Paul Crutzen in developing the "nuclear winter theory, and his invention of new instruments for chemical analysis at ultra trace levels. His awards include the Witherspoon Society Peace and Justice Award, the Leo Szilard Award for Physics in the Public Interest of the American Physical Society, and the Hazel Barnes Prize, the University of Colorado's highest faculty award. His time in retirement will be devoted to a new venture, 2B Technologies, Inc. His wife, Kathy Rowlen, is also a Professor of Chemistry at CU.

Lynn Walloch
Administrator 1973-2002

Lynn Walloch has been Assistant to three directors of CIRES. Coming from a large family, she extended it to include her colleagues at CIRES. The institute was only 40 or so people at the time she began, today more than ten times that number. She has received awards and accolades during this time, including the university's Staff Person of the Year in 1983, and NOAA Staff Person of the Month in February 2002. She has many years of experience working with the various contracts, grants and cooperative agreements that have provided the means for the partnership between NOAA and the University of Colorado. She has served on many University committees over the years, and is currently a member of the University of Colorado Federal Credit Union's Board of Directors. Lynn has headed CIRES' successful "Family-to-Family holiday charity drive, and she is also a vocal supporter of CU's Women's Basketball Team. Her retirement begins with two relaxing weeks in Mexico with Gary, her husband of 33 years. After that, anything is possible.