Geography, Meteorology and Environmental Science Department
2025 Moellering Series Panel
Join us virtually or in-person on April 4th for the 2025 Moellering Series Panel: Diverse Climate Insights Across Disciplines. Experts in geography, atmospheric sciences, and communication will discuss climate and its impact on society. This is a discussion you won’t want to miss!
Where/When: Harre Union Ballroom C, Friday, April 4, 2025 at 3:30 pm CT
Click below for the Zoom link!
Geography Meteorology Department
Geography Meteorology Department
Owlfred the Snowy Owl, an ambassador for the Indiana Humane Indiana Wildlife visited ours students in the Environmental Science colloquium. It is always a big hit when she visits our campus!
Geography Meteorology Department
Nature in the Classroom
Aspiring Valpo geographers, meteorologists, and environmental scientists: plan a visit to our department today! We love to meet with future students and spend time with you learning about your interests and charting a suitable path for you. Admissions will set you up with a full tour and visit with a professor. Just in case you haven’t been scheduled to meet with a professor, please contact the department chair, Bharath Ganesh Babu.
Out in the Field
Students have the opportunity to explore key geographical features in Kentucky and Indiana. In October 2024, as part of their geomorphology course, students visited Red River Gorge and Marengo Cave. While on the trip, they collected samples to study water quality, stream sediment mobility, and soil formation for their various research projects. In the photo, students explore a cave, illustrating cave development and passage formation along with examining karst features throughout the region.
Geography Meteorology Department
The Weather Center
Dr. Bart J. Wolf, the founding member of the Meteorology program at Valparaiso University, retired after more than 30 years of service, in 2024. The weather center, a crucible for learning, beloved by our students and alumni, was dedicated to Dr. Wolf. His convective field studies (storm chase), has not only cultivated generations of meteorologists, but also has left lasting memories for so many.
Alumni of the Meteorology program are raising funds to help continue these unparalleled field experiences for our students.
Geography Meteorology Department
Adventure on the Plains
Undergraduate students have the opportunity to observe storm structure, dynamics, and processes during an 11-day field study course at the end of May across the Great Plains. Students hold daily weather briefings, launch weather balloons, and navigate during active storm observation periods.
During six storm observation days on the 2024 trip, students observed three tornadic storms and one tornado. A weather balloon was also launched to sample the pre-convective environment on a moderate risk day.
Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Teresa Bals-Elsholz, has been awarded the 2024 Edward N. Lorenz Teaching Excellence Award from the American Meteorological Society. She was chosen, “For innovative and engaging teaching, making challenging curricula accessible and enjoyable, enthusiastic career-long mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of atmospheric scientists, especially empowering women”. She received the award at the 2024 AMS Annual Meeting in Baltimore during the awards ceremony.
Geography Meteorology Department
New Frontiers
Professors. Mentors. Friends. At Valparaiso University, you will work on real-life problems alongside faculty leaders with decades of business experience and a true desire to do what’s best for you.
Geography Meteorology Department
Eclipsing the Classroom
During the 2024 solar eclipse, Valpo students and faculty observed 3 minutes and 50 seconds of totality at Earlham College in Richmond, IN, using advanced meteorological tools as part of an NSF grant. Weather balloons, a drone, Kestrel sensors, and guest instruments from UW-Madison’s SPARC unit tracked changes in temperature, humidity, and wind in the lowest kilometer of the atmosphere before, during, and after totality.
Geography in Real Life
With one of the oldest and most respected geography programs in the United States, Valpo has produced a steady stream of successful professional geographers.
Geography Meteorology Department
Meteorology in Action
Valparaiso University’s meteorology program, which gained the status of a major in 1991, has quickly become one of the nation’s most respected training grounds for professional meteorologists.
Geography Meteorology Department
Community of Distinction
Be part of a community of dedicated professors, excellent students, and engaged alumni and follow your shared passion in geography or meteorology. Forge your career as a leader, a team builder, and a beacon in your field.
A Solid foundation
Valpo’s Geography and Meteorology programs combine rigorous classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork and internships. Students gain real-world experience forecasting storms, conducting field research, and creating digital maps using spatial data. With a post-graduation placement rate over 91%, these degrees prepare you for in-demand careers in the geosciences and atmospheric sciences.
