Feature Stories
Stephen R. Mattox
Dr. Stephen R. Mattox is an associate professor of geology at Grand
Valley State University. He has served as a member of the GVSU faculty
since 1998. His primary focus at the University is Earth science
education, where he prepares future Integrated and Earth Science
teachers.
He is described by his former students as
inspirational, intelligent, approachable, caring, and truly dedicated
to the learning process. They commend his passion for his subject
matter and the profound impact he has made on their personal and
professional lives.
Mattox received a Bachelor of Science in
geology from Indiana University in 1983. He went on to earn both a
master’s and a doctorate degree in geology from Northern Illinois
University, studying the geochemistry of volcanic rocks in central
Utah for his dissertation.
After earning his Ph.D., Mattox
moved to Hawaii to work at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as an
interpretive ranger. Here, he assisted U.S. Geological Survey
geologists in monitoring the ongoing eruption of Kilauea and
authored A Teacher Guide to the Geology of Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park, a curriculum for K-12 students.
He conducted
post-doctoral studies at the University of North Dakota, developing
content for Volcano World, a website featuring general information on
volcanoes, updates on current eruptions, activities for students, and
lesson plans for educators. Mattox then spent two years in Australia
exploring for gold and mapping base metals in Indonesia, before
joining the faculty at GVSU.
Mattox is widely published,
having authored various publications, articles and educational
materials, and is currently working on a book about Michigan geology.
He is especially proud of the seven papers and twenty-five
presentations he has shared with student collaborators. Last year, he
was named the Michigan Science Teachers Association College Teacher of
the Year, and in 2002, he received GVSU’s Pew Teaching Excellence
Award for the Science and Mathematics Division.
Mattox and
his wife Tari currently reside in Grand Rapids and have two daughters.
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