“Our world needs Christian geologists who can apply the science in ways that honor God and serve others,” says Dr. Charles Carrigan ’96, professor of Chemistry and Geosciences in Olivet Nazarene University’s Walker School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “We are already facing significant challenges with natural resources, the environment and natural hazards. Geology is necessary for society to be fully prepared to face these issues and manage the effects.”
ONU is establishing the Dr. Max Reams and Carol Reams Endowed Chair in Geosciences, which will help ensure that more Christian geologists are prepared to influence our world. This Chair honors the legacy of Dr. Max Reams ’00 M.P.C./’07 Litt.D. and Carol Reams ’86 A.A./’94/’00 M.P.C. During his 50-year career at ONU, Dr. Reams founded and developed the geosciences degree program. ONU is one of only four Christian universities offering a recognized major in geological sciences.
This Chair also brings together students, faculty and alumni in their desire to combine education, professionalism and faith in making the world a better place. All now have the opportunity to participate in funding this Chair.
Background
When Dr. Reams joined the ONU faculty in 1967, he was charged with establishing the University’s first department and degree in geology. He accomplished all that and so much more before his retirement in 2017.
During his career, Dr. Reams influenced more than 10,000 ONU students in understanding the relevance of geology to faith and life. He also led geology field trips to more than half of the U.S. states. He mentored students in their geological research, presentations at national conferences and publications in journals.
Most rewarding for Dr. Reams is witnessing the career success ONU graduates have experienced. Many have continued on to master’s and doctorate degree programs. His students have become leaders in geoscience industries, state and federal geological programs, and other geoscience-related educational and service positions as well as professors at public and private universities. Some have worked internationally. Some — like Dr. Carrigan — have returned to teach at ONU.
Carol served for 28 years in ONU’s Office of the Registrar, retiring in 2014 as assistant to the registrar. She helped hundreds of education majors meet Illinois certification and ONU graduation requirements. One of her greatest joys was presenting those graduates with their cap and gown and ordering their diploma.
“My wife, Carol, and I came to Olivet and stayed at Olivet because we felt God’s calling to impact the geologic community by training well-prepared professionals in science and faith,” Dr. Reams says.
Service
The Reams are renowned for their work in premarital and marital counseling. Each holds a Master of Pastoral Counseling degree. Since 1991, they have counseled more than 250 ONU couples and led couples retreats for many Nazarene churches and districts. Dr. Reams is also a certified life coach and a Prepare-Enrich (Life Innovations) trainer, and he has trained and certified 200 professional and lay counselors.
Dr. Reams is an accomplished author of 12 books, including three books co-authored with Carol. Four of those books are nonfiction, focusing on enhancing the general public’s understanding of God’s Earth. Two are devotional books for couples.
Since 2000, the Reams have led worship services and served as volunteer chaplains for Riverside Hospital Senior Life Communities.
In addition, Dr. Reams continues as an adjunct professor for ONU, teaching online and in person as needed. He and Carol also maintain contact with former students. Many of their family members are alumni and supportive of ONU.
Honors
For 47 of his 50 years at ONU, Dr. Reams served as chair of the Natural Sciences Division. He received ONU’s Faculty Member of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. ONU honored him with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. He also enjoyed two sabbaticals, taking courses and having extended field experience in Australia and New Zealand.
Future
ONU’s goal is to fully fund the endowed Professorship before Homecoming 2025. Plans are to move that to an endowed Chair as giving and funding increase. Establishing this Professorship and Chair will help attract and retain quality, qualified faculty; provide more student-focused research opportunities; and cement the geosciences degree program in the ONU curriculum.
“Funding chairs and professorships honors outstanding faculty, enhances retention and recruitment, and sustains important programs,” says Dr. Mike Pyle, engagement and development advocate for ONU. “When I was chair of ONU’s Department of Biology, I saw the value of the geosciences program across multiple disciplines. Geosciences serves a broad swath of students with life-informing education.”
Funding
This endowed Chair currently has a two-tiered goal:
- First tier is Professorship, with $750,000 needed to fund this goal.
- Second tier is Chair, with an additional $750,000 needed to bring the total funding to the $1.5 million needed to fully fund this goal.
Be part of preserving Dr. Reams’ legacy and keeping ONU at the forefront of geology with a Christian purpose. Give to the Dr. Max Reams and Carol Reams Endowed Chair in Geosciences by contacting Mike Lingle ’92, advancement officer, at 317-771-9413 or mrlingle@Olivet.edu.
Together, let’s do something good.
Geosciences at Olivet Nazarene University
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in geological sciences focuses on the study of Earth’s composition, structure and processes. Students learn to examine Earth’s past and present in order to make predictions about its future. They learn how stewardship of Earth’s resources and resilience in the face of Earth’s hazards equips human societies for the present and the future. This degree program is a balance of theory, laboratory skills and techniques and extensive field experiences.
Student opportunities include:
- Preparation for a variety of careers in industry, government, and education
- Two-week summer field trips to the Hawaiian Islands or the national parks of the Southwest United States.
- Course field trips to Ontario, Canada; the southern Appalachians and Great Smoky Mountains; Missouri’s St. Francois region; and regional state parks and museums
- Joining the Olivet River Keepers, a volunteer water-quality monitoring group
- Participating in the curation, display and research into ONU’s collection of over 4,000 rock, mineral and fossil specimens through the Natural History Collections program
- Developing skills in the application of geographic information systems (GIS) for geospatial analysis
- Building useful skills in the classification and interpretation of natural materials and physical features using a variety of equipment and technologies
- Assessing human impacts on natural systems and cycles, and evaluating solutions for these complex relationships among various Earth systems
- Development of research, writing, data analysis and presentation skills
- Immersive learning in Strickler Planetarium and the Reed Observatory, both on campus
- Paid work as teaching assistants or planetarium operators.
Future program goals:
- Strengthen field study and laboratory research experiences
- Ensure that ONU always has a geology professor with the Dr. Max Reams and Carol Reams Endowed Chair in Geosciences fully funded and in place Cement the geological sciences program for the long term
- Preserve and protect this Christian perspective on geological sciences
- Continue to launch graduates who experience success in their chosen fields
From Olivet The Magazine, The God Who Sees Us – Winter 2025. Read the full issue here.
