ÃÛÌÒapp

Dr. Ratajeski has served as the Director of the Dice Mineralogical Museum since 2023.  Having enjoyed being around minerals, rocks, fossils, and meteorites from a young age, Dr. Ratajeski studied geology in college and grad school, eventually specializing in the igneous petrology of granites in graduate school.  His research and teaching assignments all across the country eventually culminated in his joining ÃÛÌÒapp’s Department of Geology, Geography, and Environment at ÃÛÌÒapp as a Lecturer where he teaches courses in introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, tectonics, geology field methods, and geology as vocation. In his spare time, Dr. Ratajeski enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and music.  His favorite mineral is cuprosklodowskite, a green, radioactive mineral named after Polish scientist Marie (Sklodowska) Curie.

Zach Guikema is a geology major from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He enjoys hiking, woodcarving, and hanging out with friends. He is interested in environmental geology and had the opportunity to do summer research in 2024. His research project resulted in the first collection of micrometeorites obtained from rooftops on the ÃÛÌÒapp campus. His favorite mineral is marcasite.

Carl Martin is a geology and biology major who is interested in paleontological research. He is from Mishawaka Indiana, but loves rockhounding and fossil hunting across the United States. HIs favorite part about being docent here at the Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum is giving long tours to guests and being able to share his passion for the geosciences.

Ruth Diepstra is a senior majoring in Environmental Science and Geology, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. In the 2024 fall semester, she was a First Year Research in Earth Science (FYRES) mentor, where she and her students studied the patterns of a rare thistle and sand fences on a large dune. She hopes to continue studying at ÃÛÌÒapp for a GIS Master's. Outside of school, she has always enjoyed collecting rocks and minerals, her favorite being labradorite and grape agate. 

Jordyn Holtsoi-Henry is a sophomore Geology and Secondary Art Education double major. She grew up hiking in the high desert and loves to give hiking tours to people visiting her hometown of Gallup, New Mexico. She is interested in becoming a field geologist in or around the Navajo Nation. Through her future, Jordyn wants to continue improving her art skills through teaching art at the secondary level or create science illustrations. A mineral Jordyn holds close to her is turquoise, but her favorite mineraloid is opal.

Dietrich Madsen is a sophomore and Geology major. He was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana not far from the border with Michigan. He grew up watching the White Sox and biking around town. Dietrich loves rock-climbing and writing. He especially loves mineralogy, and plans to obtain a doctorate in the subject. His favorite minerals are either fluorite or pyrite.