Wittenberg University Speleological Society

Last updated
Wittenberg University Speleological Society
AbbreviationWUSS
FormationMay 14, 1980;44 years ago (1980-05-14)
Location
Affiliations National Speleological Society (#G-268)
Website WUSS Official Website
Formerly called
Wittenberg Caving Club

The Wittenberg University Speleological Society (WUSS) is a student-run grotto of the National Speleological Society (NSS) created in 1980, dedicated to the advancement of speleology. [1] WUSS has more than 500 members, current and past students, faculty and staff of Wittenberg University, as well as community members dedicated to the scientific study, exploration, and preservation [2] of caves and karst environments. The organization is based out of Wittenberg University [3] in Springfield, Ohio.

Contents

History

WUSS received its official charter (Internal Organization #G-268) from the NSS on 14 May 1980. [4] The organization was created as a successor to the Wittenberg Caving Club, which was formed in 1977 by Dr. Horton H. Hobbs III [5] and Jeff Marion. After its induction into the NSS, WUSS elected Michael Flynn as its first grotto president.

Activities

Publications

WUSS produces a biannual scientific journal called Pholeos (from Greek φολεος - cave) . The first issue was published in 1981, [11] and currently is sent out to more than 500 subscribers throughout all fifty states and 28 countries.

Cave Research

Members have published more than 150 articles [12] in scientific journals, and continue to make contributions in the areas of speleology, geology, biology, limnology, ecology, and microbiology.

Cave Survey

The organization has a long history of contributing to cave survey and mapping work, beginning in 1978 with Dry Cave, Highland County, Ohio. Since then, members have surveyed more than 32 kilometers (19.86 miles) of passage in more than 200 caves in four states.

Vertical Work

As part of its commitment to promoting safety in caves, WUSS conducts a variety of workshops, clinics, and trainings related to high-angle rope work, as well as providing public resources. [13] Clinics, initially intended for grotto members, have expanded over the years to include workshops at nearby Wright State University and an annual training during the Winter Adventure Weekend [14] at Carter Caves State Resort Park.

Accolades

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "WUSS Cavers". wusscavers.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  2. ↑ "Cavers Assist In Cleanup Project At WKU Biological Preserve". Western Kentucky University. November 22, 2004. Archived from the original on 2006-09-06. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  3. ↑ "Academic Organizations". Wittenberg University. Archived from the original on 2012-05-27. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  4. ↑ Pholeos, Volume 30(1) Archived 2016-02-22 at the Wayback Machine , April 2010
  5. ↑ "The Conduit, Volume 12, Number 1" (PDF). Karst Water Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-04. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  6. ↑ Caving with Ronald Reagan Jr. on Good Morning America. YouTube. 4 July 2012.
  7. ↑ http://www.ohioruralelectric.coop/magazines/country-living/june-2009/the-lightless-world-of-ohio-caves [ dead link ]
  8. ↑ "NSS Conservation Award Recipients". acave.us. Archived from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  9. ↑ "Estimating the Timing of Cave Level Development with GIS" (PDF). Speleogenesis and Evolution of Karst Aquifers. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  10. ↑ "Wittenberg Professor Receives Cardinal Award From Ohio Department Of Natural Resources". Wittenberg University. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  11. ↑ Pholeos, Volume 1(1,2) Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine , March 1981
  12. ↑ "Kentucky caves to carry Wittenberg professor's name". springfieldnewssun.com.
  13. ↑ "Simple and Safe Change-over". caves.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  14. ↑ "Winter Adventure Weekend". winteradventureweekend.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Fellows of the Society". caves.org. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mitchell Award Winners". caves.org. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  17. ↑ "Seven Ohioans Receive ODNR Conservation Honors". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 6 November 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
    • 2014 - Annette Summers Engel (WUSS #0244) received the Science Award at the NSS Convention.
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