Earth Interpreters collection

Earth Interpreters: F. M. Fryxell, Geology, and Augustana was published by the Augustana College Library in 1992 as a tribute to Fritiof M. Fryxell. Fryxell graduated from Augustana College in 1922 and then returned, after doing graduate work, in 1923 to fill a post as an instructor in English and biology. He eventually took over work in geology and meteorology and was instrumental in establishing geology as an independent department in 1929. He remained a professor at Augustana until 1973. During his tenure at Augustana, Fryxell founded and curated the geology museum on campus, now called the Fryxell Geology Museum.

Earth Interpreters is composed of 16 essays on various topics ranging from biographical information about Fryxell and the development of the geology department at Augustana College to geological discoveries, issues and techniques. The book was edited by Richard C. Anderson and David A. Schroeder. Anderson studied geology with F. M. Fryxell at Augustana College and graduated with a B. A. degree in 1952. He went on to do graduate work in geology at University of Chicago where he worked with Leland Horberg. He joined the Augustana College faculty as a geology professor in 1957. During his time on the faculty, he was chair of the department starting in 1968. He retired after 39 years of teaching in the Department of Geology in 1996. Schroeder also studied with Fryxell as an undergraduate at Augustana College. He graduated in 1971 and went on to earn a Ph. D. from University of Colorado. He taught at Augustana from 1984 to 1989.