Dan M. Worrall

MA 1975, Geology		When Dan Worrall came to UW for graduate work, he found himself caught between two different philosophies: the older generation of field geologists and the younger faculty more involved with theory and numbers. It was a good place to be caught: "Although the younger faculty members were inclined more strongly toward newer, more quantitative trends in geology, one could sense that they were very appreciative of being in a place where the practice of geology as a field science continued to be strong. Between two generations of scientists, a student could get quite an excellent education indeed." Worrall came to UW with a bachelor's degree from Rice University, and an MAT in Science Education from Northwestern University. He went from UW to the University of Texas at Austin, earning a PhD in 1979. Worrall has been with Shell Oil for nearly 15 years, currently as chief geologist at Shell Western E&P, Inc., directing an exploration group responsible for Shell's activities in the Russian Far East. "I'm spending quite a lot of time in and near Sakbalin Island, whose winter weather reminds me a lot of Laramie!" Earlier, he directed Shell's exploration and exploitation efforts in the lower 48 states and Alaska. His scientific and managerial skills have led Shell to the forefront as a technical and research leader in the oil industry. His energetic efforts are partially reflected in his publications record, averaging three to four articles a year in respected academic journals. He recalls, with affection and respect, Dr. Don Blackstone, "always at work before eight, always in a tie (during a very casual era), and never without a very sharp pencil as he practiced his craft. Beyond his incomparable geologic knowledge, it was the strong sense of professionalism he exuded that impressed me most, and gave me, a child of the '60s, a role model to emulate through the years."