— Biography from the 2019 Spring Commencement program —

Dr. Rich received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin (1973) and earned his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University (1979). Joining the faculty at Georgia Southern University in the fall of 1988, he served as a professor of Geology for 31 years. Dr. Rich also served as the chair of the Department of Geology and Geography from 1988 to 1998 and was the recipient of the Georgia Southern University Award for Excellence in Research/Creative Scholarly Activity in 2001. Prior to coming to Georgia Southern, Dr. Rich was an associate professor of Geology and Geological Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 1979 to 1988. Throughout his 40-year career as a geologist, Dr. Rich generated over $1.8 million in research and instructional funding and published 43 peer-reviewed papers, 14 book chapters, 21 field guides, 6 technical reports, and 91 abstracts. For his many contributions to the department, college, University and profession, Dr. Fredrick J. Rich has earned the title of Professor Emeritus of Geology.*