Fox Cities News

Andrew Knudsen, a geosciences professor at Lawrence University, has been sharing his passion for Earth and its geological wonders with students since 2003. He often takes his students on educational trips to northern Wisconsin's Penokee Hills, an area rich in geological history. These excursions provide students with firsthand experience of banded iron formations (BIF), which Knudsen describes as "eye-catchingly beautiful rocks."

Knudsen's academic interests include environmental mineralogy and low-temperature geochemistry. His research focuses on BIFs and their role in the evolution of Earth's atmosphere. "In studying these ancient rocks," he explains, "I have focused on the stories they tell about the evolution of our atmosphere as oxygen became more prevalent in the air some 2 billion years ago."

Beyond teaching, Knudsen finds inspiration in various experiences related to his field. A memorable moment was sitting by Lake Superior's shores with tribal elder Mike Wiggins Jr., listening to stories that weave human narratives into the region's geological and ecological context.

When not teaching, Knudsen enjoys spending time by the river or reading works like Robin Wall-Kimmerer's "Gathering Moss." He also appreciates Greg Brown's music and the film "The Rise and Fall of the Great Lakes," which humorously explores geological history.