Feature Stories
Patricia Videtich, '76
After receiving her B.S. in geology from Grand Valley in 1976, Patricia E. Videtich went on to obtain M.Sc. (1978) and Ph.D. (1982) degrees in geology from Brown University. From 1981-1988 she was a Research Geologist for Conoco Inc. (now ConocoPhillips) based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, but she spent a good portion of her time overseas helping exploration geologists find and develop oil and gas fields, mostly in England and Dubai. Videtich also helped teach exploration geologists about ancient and modern carbonate sediments and rocks in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and the British West Indies. Videtich left industry to return to academia starting with a position from 1988-1992 as an Assistant Professor of Geology at the University of North Dakota. Also, from 1988-1990 she was a consultant for Dubai Petroleum Co. (a subsidiary of Conoco Inc.).
In 1992 Videtich, returned “home” to Grand Valley where she served as Associate Professor and Professor of Geology, and served a rotation as Unit Head of the Geology Department. During her time at GVSU, Videtich served as a Councilor for the Council on Undergraduate Research for 12 years; for five years was a co-leader of FRESH (Field Research in Earth Science Happenings), a Summer Program whose primary goal was getting inner city, middle school students out into nature; and was on the committee that planned and ran GVSU’s “Student Scholars Day” since its inception in 1995. Videtich mentored many undergraduate students doing research projects, and helped most obtain funding.
During her time at GVSU, her awards included the GVSU University Outstanding Academic Advising and Student Services Award (2016); Distinguished Member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars (student nominated; 2013); Alpha Sigma Alpha Significant Positive Impact Award (student nominated; 2012); and the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities Award (1999). She is the author or coauthor of 18 papers, booklets, and book chapters and 44 abstracts/presentations, many with GVSU undergraduate student coauthors. Videtich also sponsored students for nine other abstracts/presentations and is coauthor of two geoscience education websites.
Videtich retired in 2018 and is now GVSU Professor Emerita of Geology.
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