A Flurry of Familiar Faces

Article By: Johnica Morrow

Today CPBS has been graced by the presence of a number of alumni.  It is wonderful to have people visit the station and share their stories from the time that they spent here.  Some of these familiar faces have come for research...others have come just to have lunch and see how much has changed since they waved good-bye to that old white gate so many years ago.  

Dr. Matt Bolek wore many hats during his time here at Cedar Point.  He was a student, a TA, and later an instructor for a number of field courses.  He is now a member of the faculty at Oklahoma State University, carrying on his parasite research from his years as a UNL student.  He and one of his PhD students, Kyle Gustafson, arrived at the station early this morning.  After a light rest, the two parasitologists headed out to collect frogs for their research.  Both Matt and Kyle will return to CPBS to attend the Rocky Mountain Conference of Parasitologists which the station will be hosting in September.  

1981 CPBS alum, Joe Frost, stands next to former
director/retired SBS faculty member, Dr. Kathy Keeler.

Another familiar face that could been seen today was that of Dr. Kathy Keeler.  Kathy spent many years here studying red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) colonies.  She traveled here today for a yearly check-up on these colonies.  A long time lover of Cedar Point, Dr. Keeler taught courses such as ecology and botany prior to her retirement.  She also served as the station's director from 1991-1994.  Dr. Keeler maintains a blog called A Wandering Botanist, which can be found here.  Be sure to check it out!

Fortuitously, another familiar face (and former student of Dr. Keeler's) was found floating around today.  Joe Frost, a CPBS alumni, happened to be in the Ogallala area and popped in today for lunch and a lively conversation.  Joe was here at the station in 1981 taking courses in Field Ecology (taught by Dr. Keeler) and Field Parasitology (taught by Dr. Janovy).  Over a delicious lunch of sloppy joes (appropriately!), he chatted with the director and associate director of CPBS about all the new things happening here at the station and about how the station really needs a Friends of Cedar Point to help us support ongoing restoration projects and improvements.  We were happy to have him swing in for a visit!

We'd be happy to have you swing by sometime too!  If you are ever in the area and find yourself with some free time, give us a call at 308-284-6501 or send us a quick e-mail at cpbs@unl.edu.  We will arrange a time for you to learn all about the changes since your last visit and for you to tell us all about your Cedar Point experience!  Hope to see you soon!