The discovery of a fossil site in Gray is breathing prehistoric life into ETSU’s three G’s.
ETSU’s geology, geography and geomatics departments comprise the three G’s.
The departments were awarded $8 million in federal grant money by Gov. Don Sundquist last week. The money will be used to excavate a rare fossil site found two years ago by Tennessee Department of Transportation crews who were widening Highway 75 in the summer of 2000.
Tapir fossils were found in the site. This fossil is a relative to the horse and rhinoceros, and modern-day species exists, although they are on the Endangered Species List.
The site is a fine platform to promote ETSU’s geology program. As of now, ETSU only offers a minor in geology, said Dr. Steve Wallace, associate professor of geology.
Wallace said that he would like to see it grow into major. ETSU has not offered a master’s degree in geosciences for several years either, but Wallace is trying to create one again.
ETSU senior and geography major April Nye, is hoping to enter the proposed master’s program in geosciences. Nye, who worked at the site during the summer, hopes to be hired at the Gray site after graduating.
The site has opened doors for the geomatics program, too. Jerry Nave, assistant professor of geomatics, is working with some of his students at the site.
“This type of surveying has not been performed on a paleontological site like this,” Nave said. “It is a lot of fun to do this type of work.”
Wallace, who taught a field course at the site this past summer, says a building will be constructed next to the site for visitors, showcasing the work being done.
“Visitors to the site will be able to walk through and look at workers preparing specimens,” he said. “They will be able to see the entire process from the excavation of specimens to their display.”
All ETSU students will soon have a chance to see fossils from the site without getting their hands dirty.
The Reece Museum will hold an exhibit in the coming weeks, displaying specimens from the site.
The public will soon have the chance to comfortably access information about the site on the Internet. Site volunteer Lisa Stoner said someone is currently working on a web site based on findings at Gray. “The web site would be a great way to keep the public up to date on the findings at the site,” she said.
The excitement surrounding the site reaches all the way to Nashville. Sundquist expressed an interest in working at the site during his visit to Gray last week.
Stoner said the governor wants to come back to the site and dig. “I told him we were going to hold him to that promise,” she said.

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