Dr. Richard Boolootian of Sherman Oaks, a California State University, Fresno alumnus with more than 40 years’ experience in science teaching, writing, research and media production, will be featured on campus during Earth Science Week 2007.
The 10th annual Earth Science Week, a national and international event organized by the American Geological Institute to increase awareness and appreciation for the earth sciences, is Oct. 14-20.
Boolootian, a 1951 biology graduate, will speak to elementary school children visiting the campus during the week and at a public session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Smittcamp Alumni House. His visit is sponsored by the College of Science and Mathematics.
He will present a talk entitled, “Passion for Science as Inspired by President Joyal and Fresno State.” He also will share a film about his work on the NASA space shuttle program, with a special dedication by his friend, astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Earth Science Week at Fresno State brings children to campus for interactive learning about the earth and to make fossil casts. This year, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department faculty member Dr. Kerry Workman-Ford is hosting students from Miramonte, Dry Creek and Garfield elementary schools, who will hear Boolootian talk about “Corals, Atolls, Sea Urchins and Atomic Bombs.”
Boolootian, a Fresno native, received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fresno State and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.
He was an associate professor of zoology at UCLA from 1957 through 1967, when he founded a business, Science Software Systems Inc. He worked at the Mirman School for Gifted Children in Los Angeles for 31 years as a faculty member, the Science Department chair, director of Admissions and director of community and external affairs, before retiring in 2005.
