We assembled an expert panel of judges with geologic and/or literary expertise. Approximately 20 votes were cast in determining the "winning" poems. Here are remarks by some of the distinguished panel members:
Poetry Reviews by the Expert Panel
"Student #2 : G-ology Rap. The lyrics are very vivid and I trust that they are geologically sound. I think it'd be a great old-school "Slick Rick" like song. With these lyrics, the music writes itself. That is a good thing."
-Jonathan Czeck, Creative Professional, Graveck Interactive
"1st place: 3 (poem with excellent duplication). A beautiful convergence of form and function, as anyone who has does Fry analysis will understand. Good cadence. Frost and Poe would be proud (maybe).
2nd place: student 2 (rap) Good rhythm. Second place only because I'm so terminally unhip."
-Dr. Basil Tikoff, structural geologist (UW-Madison) and a living anachronism as a modern poetry reader
"My favorite is: Bear With Me (The Structure Poem). It is my favorite because: 1) I can relate to the notion of being confused by geo-jargon, and it inspired me to take my guitar out of its case for the first time in too long - just so that I could play the chords as I read. My credentials as a judge of structural poetry: I am married to a structural geologist so I've listened to many (many, many) lectures about structural geology. Oh yeah, I also love poetry."
-Sheila Allard, Instructor, Communication Skills, Western Wisconsin Technical College
"I vote for Student # 8 - What is the Earth. I think that it seemed to me to be the least 'forced' in terms of its meter or language. As for my credentials, I am both a structural geologist and a general know it all - just ask my kids."
-Dr. Steve Wojtal, structural geology professor at Oberlin College
"While I appreciate the pun of Student #3, my vote is going to have to go with Student #2 and the G-ology Rap."
-Dr. Matty Strine, structural geology professor, soon-to-be at Sonoma State University
"# 2 is 1, although #5 is pretty good too.
-Dr. Thomas Uthup, general knower of all things
"I love the rap cause it was fun to read out loud and was accurate too (not that others weren't). And I liked #6 because I enjoy being silly. All were great!!"
-Dr. Lisa Lamb, structural geology professor, St. Thomas
"...and one must admire them for not once mentioning rock music or the rolling stones. For sheer effort and enthusiasm, I'd go for #2"
-Jamie Gletherow
"Student #2's G-ology Rap wins hands down, in my opinion."
-Dr. Carol Ormand, Structural G-ologist
"I vote for #10, "Bear With Me (the Structural Song)." It is a poignant reflection on the trials and tribulations of both love and learning, complete with soundtrack. I know about a good number of things, though structural geology is not one of them. However, I have loved and lost, and this song seems to suggest that such experience might give me more of background in structure than I had previously suspected."
-ANONYMOUS, professor and "knower of a good number of things"
"#2 and #10 are tied for the best in my book! You can't go wrong with original songs, especially when there are chords included!!"
-Darlene Fissler, Structural geology graduate student, UWM, soon-to-be Environmental Scientist I, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
"...but probably would choose #5"
-Dr. Jan Tullis, professor of structural geology, Brown University.
"Another fine group of entries. I applaud the authors for their efforts. My favorites, and why: # 5 captures my heart; # 6 is pure, passionate poetry and says it like it is; # 10 makes me laugh, summarizes what many students experience with their loved ones while taking Structure, and is awe-inspiring for the amount of work that went into it. (I'd love to hear it performed. --Any chance of that?) I guess #10 gets my vote, but #5 is a very close second."
-A former Structure student who wishes to remain anonymous
"My favorite is "What is the Earth," mainly because it talks about the rheology of the lithosphere (which seems different from the others). My second favorite is the "G-ology rap". This one actually seems the most substantial, and is still entertaining. I probably should have put this as #1, but I am quite partial to the whole rheology thing."
-Joy Branlund, Assistant Professor, Earth Science, Southwestern Illinois College
"I vote for #10 (although I would really like to hear it as well). I liked it because it reminded me explicitly of my experience in structural geology. The primary thing I remember about that structural class is that it was the only class in my entire 4 year undergraduate career that I had to take at 8 AM! My credentials would have to be limited to the general know-it-all category. As with all know-it-alls, I explicitly do not want to remain anonymous..."
-Dr. Tim Grundl, chair of Geosciences at UWM
"First, it is an honor to be among the judges of this contest. Thank you! Second, I was torn between the Jack Johnson-style song with chords (#10) and the G-ology rap (#2), but in the end I have to give it to student #2, for richer content and focus all the way from the G to the ology in three steps (are they really that easy?). Also, because I like rap more than I like Jack Johnson."
-Claire, geology graduate and "international femme of adventure"
"I vote for student #5! I like this poem for its clarity and for the fact that the author professes a joy and an excitement in structural analysis rather than personal stress and strain!"
-Elizabeth Fein, MS student in structural geology at Kent State University
"FUN POETRY! I vote for #2, G-ology Rap. First, I like the content because it addresses descriptive, kinematic and dynamic analysis accurately and concisely, while also incorporating a high density of relevant terms. This poem conveys the essence of structural geology. Second, I like the presentation. The punchy but slightly irregular rhythm is catchy. I also like that the author didn't grasp for awkward rhymes; he/she used rhymes when they worked well, but also used alliteration or even words that don't rhyme. The content has not been dictated or altered by a need to conform to a strict structure (haha) of rhythm and rhyme. I'm also very fond of #3."
-Dr. Sarah Tindall. Assistant Professor of Geology (Specialty: Structural Geology / Tectonics) Kutztown University & "General Know-It-All"
"Good job everyone! Student # 6 is my first choice. It was short and to the point, appealing to my hurried state."
-Sharon Kressler, a closet geologist who can understand things like 'stress and strain' without having to take an Advil.
The overall Winner was poem #2. Student #10 was 2nd place. The 2 students responsible for the winning poems each received a lovely pebble, washed by the Mediterranean, of folded rock from the Cap de Creus region in Spain.
Thank you to all the judges!!!
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