Geology Club at Pierce College

They had been working under the lemon colored sun for what seemed like hours. With their tools in hand, they came with a mission. Digging in the sand since arriving, the small children gathered all the rocks they could.

As the sun set and their parents were ready to leave the park, the kids collected their earthen treasures and promised to continue their excavation in the future.

Fast forward a few years and these are probably the students involved in Pierce College’s Geology Club.

Advised by the Assistant Professor of Geology, John Zayac, the club focuses on metamorphosing the trend of students taking geology for “granite” while participating in various trips and activities.

“Our club is primarily about awareness of your surroundings. We want our members to look out the window and ponder what the valley looked like 50 million years ago, not what the traffic is going to be like this afternoon,” said Charlie Horovitz, 22, the ASO representative for the club.

Although it is an academic group, “The strength of our club relies on the friendships we develop with one another,” added  Audriana De La Cruz, 21, the treasurer.

One idea that the club encourages is a hands on approach to understanding the driving forces behind natural occurrences. “It’s not necessarily about meeting in a class, rather planning events to explore local geology. As John Zayac says, ‘California is world class geology,’ so why not take advantage of it,” said Amy Nemeth, 22, the club president.

“[The hikes] allow people to see the planet through the eyes of a geologist,” Audriana said.

“We look at the features in road cuts, layers in exposed sediment, lay of the land, and enjoy each other’s company,” the president said smiling, possibly recalling a recent club excursion.

The local diverse geology in nearby areas such as the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park, and Griffith Observatory trails offer the members a thrilling way to bring classroom taught lessons to life.

Despite a bolder approach to handling the mysteries of the geological world, it all starts in the class.  A myriad of geographical maps and a plethora of rocks adorn Zayac’s room, creating the ideal atmosphere for rock-talk.

“My extracurricular interest in geology is due in whole to the fine teaching of Professor Zayac,” Charlie admits.

The members sit, gathered around Professor Zayac, who is chatting nonchalantly as if reminiscing with old college buddies. Much of the success of the club is due to the admiration the students hold for their advisor.

“We have interesting conversations and learn about geology, but at the same time we have fun too,” Audriana added. “John Zayac is by far the coolest professor on the Pierce campus.”

“He’s so funny to listen to. Geology isn’t my favorite subject, but the way he talks and teaches us makes me want to participate,” Leslie Rozner, one of Professor Zayac’s current students said.

As an avid outdoorsman and environmental scientist, John Zayac  only hopes that students develop a sense of their place in the natural world. Explorers in the own right, opportunities have arisen to allow them to become life-long observers, therefore learners.

“I’m opposed to the cliché type of existence that most kids in this technology-laden era experience they have grown to know,” Professor Zayac said with adversity.

“There are still people who believe natural disasters are caused by incomplete Mayan calendars,” Charlie added, with the same disappointment.

The club is in the midst of planning their first, multi-day visit to the Devil’s Postpile National Monument in the Eastern Sierra. The focus of the trip is to recognize how rocks influence soil development and affect wildlife.

“I think our club really stands out because we do not just share a passion for a common interest, [but] we desire to understand it completely,” Charlie said.

Despite the emergence of the Geology Club only a year ago, the members are doing as much as they can to improve its current state and ensure its success in the coming years at Pierce.

They are also in the process of accumulating funds to purchase permanent camping gear for future members.

“We don’t think camping should be a luxury or cost prohibitive,” Charlie added. “The club has a duty to its members to enable them to experience as much as possible.”

While the club has taken preliminary steps in expanding its following, the current members have agreed on one thing: there are kids on this campus that care about what is going on. There are kids who have a passion for what they believe.

“There are plenty of people pissed at environmental disasters like the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico right now. We can be pissed about it together and…do something about it,” Charlie said vehemently.

Each member serves as a catalyst in helping ideas come to action. In the club world, two is better than one and three is better than two, the club’s president has acknowledged.

“I always try to surround myself with people that have a genuine urge to learn and experience life,” Audriana adds. “Academic clubs are a great place to meet those kinds of people.”

Get your rocks off at the Geology Club on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. in Physics 0913.