Palaeontologist brings opportunity for College
The opportunity to develop an education program and a museum project simultaneously is a unique one, and palaeontologist Paul McNeil is all smiles at the prospect. McNeil has been hired by Grande Prairie Regional College, and in addition to his duties in course development and instruction will have an integral role in the development of the River of Death and Discovery Dinosaur Centre project at the Pipestone Creek bonebed. Funding for this initiative includes $35,000 donated by Swan City Rotary Club, and presented at their luncheon of January 23. The donation is eligible for the Access to the Future Matching Grants program, resulting in a total of $70,000 for the palaeontology initiative. GPRC President Don Gnatiuk, accompanied by Jim Smith, chair of the GPRC Foundation, and Paul McNeil as well as several College faculty, were present to express thanks to Swan City Rotary Club.
"Grande Prairie Regional College is very proud to have added a palaeontologist to our Science faculty," says Gnatiuk. "We have created this position on our faculty as a way of ensuring that the youth of our region have the academic benefit of studies in palaeontology, taking advantage of the exploration of fossil sites now beginning right here on our doorstep." The arrival of the first palaeontologist to be active on this project is a very significant occasion, and one which will quickly attract scientific interest from all over the world. "Pipestone Creek is a world class dinosaur site, known around the world," says McNeil. "Every palaeontologist knows about it. As the museum project develops, this site will bring not only tourists, but scientists from around the world. This area has many great fossil sites, and is rich with potential for new discoveries, which will make it attractive for the public and researchers alike." As early as this coming summer, graduate students will be engaged in field study here. GPRC, McNeil and the University of Alberta are working together to develop and offer a palaeontology field course for graduate students. In the longer term, undergraduate credit courses are being developed and included in the Science curriculum at GPRC. At the same time, community programming and community collaborations will be a constant. The College is working closely with discovery centre partners PREDA, the County of Grande Prairie to build awareness of the rich potential of this site - there is nothing like it anywhere. The fact that this is a project which includes scientific research, building a museum and instructing young minds is particularly exciting to McNeil. "The community and credit education component played a significant role in my decision to come here," says McNeil. "I have spent time in both education and in museums and have experienced the advantages and disadvantages of both. I really enjoy teaching; it keeps you energized, keeps you current. But I also enjoy the opportunities for research, the joy of discovery, present in the museum environment. This is a wonderful combination of both!"