91¶ÌÊÓƵ

Our Spring 2020 article Lasting Impressions covered 91¶ÌÊÓƵ students’ environmental fieldwork in Utah around the globe, along with the legendary trips former geology professor Walter Buss took with students to explore geologic sites across the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

We received the following letter regarding the story from one of our alumni.

I was so pleased to see Walter Buss and his classes mentioned in your article in the spring 2020 issue. I have a connection with the “College on Wheels” trips. Two of my great-aunts, Madeline Watkins and Merrill Watkins, went on both trips [in 1946 and 1947]. Madeline kept a daily journal of everything they did, and Merrill took the photos. I don’t think they divided the writing/photography jobs on purpose — one just liked writing and one liked taking pictures. 

I had inherited the journal in Madeline’s papers when she passed away, but it wasn’t until I went to visit Great-aunt Merrill and asked her to show me her photo album that I realized she had the photo collection that complemented Madeline’s journal. I knew I had found a treasure.

With both the written and visual parts of the story finally together, I compiled them into two volumes, one for each trip. Madeline’s dates and notes were thorough, and Merrill had carefully written names, dates and locations on the backs of the photos, so it was easy to place them together with accuracy. The result is family history magic, and also a real tribute to the experiences Professor Buss provided those students. 

My great-aunts and my grandma (their sister) spoke of Professor Buss fondly throughout their lives. From the photos and descriptions from Madeline and Merrill, it is easy to see that both trips were unforgettable. 

Anyway, thanks for highlighting such a great bit of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ history!

Sincerely,
Emma Dibble West
Weber State ‘93, BA English

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