Richard Harwood's Courses

Richard Harwood

Professor Emeritus

E-Mail: profharwood@icloud.com

Richard Harwood grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Wheaton, Illinois where he attended Wheaton North High School. He then attended Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from 1982 to 1984. After two years in Colorado, he transferred to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1987. Richard remained at NAU where he completed a Master's of Science degree in Geology in 1989. His Master's Thesis is entitled, "Cinder Cone Breaching Events at Strawberry and O'Neill Craters, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona."

After completing graduate work at NAU, Richard joined the U.S. Peace Corps and was assigned to serve for two years (1989-1991) in the Central American country of Honduras. He was assigned to work with the Geology Mapping Program in Honduras. This program is conducted under the combined direction of the Direccion General de Minas e Hidrocarburos (General Offices of Mines and Hydrocarbons) and the Instituto Geografico Nacional (National Geographic Institution). The overall project goal is to geologically map the country of Honduras. Mapping is conducted at a 1:50,000 scale. The host country agencies provided logistical and technical support while Richard conducted field mapping. He also provided geologic advice and training for agency personnel. The areas surrounding the towns of Ojojona and Yuscaran were geologically mapped during his service in the Peace Corps.

Upon his return to the U.S., Richard married Kristine Strenge. Kristine had also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras. In 1992, Richard attended Rutgers University in New Jersey and completed two additional years of graduate course work.

In 1994, Richard was hired by Black Hawk College to teach Geology, Geography and Astronomy. During his time at BHC, he was actively involved in developing presentation and online resources for his courses at Black Hawk College. Richard regularly gave presentations in the community as part of the BHC Speakers Bureau. In the spring of 2017, the president, administration and Board of Trustees of Black Hawk College, in violation of the College's Mission Statement and Core Values, announced that Earth Science was no longer a subject worth studying at BHC, and would no longer be offered to students. With that senseless and fatuous decision, and in violation of the contract with faculty, Richard Harwood, after 23 years of dedicated and exceptional service to the College and community, was fired, without cause, at the end of the spring semester. On November 27, 2017, the Board of Trustees, at the unanimous recommendation of the Natural Science and Engineering Department and Faculty Senate, voted to grant Richard the status of Professor Emeritus. Despite how he had been treated, Richard had returned to teaching at Black Hawk College on a part-time basis, in the hope that Earth Science programs would be reinstated. However, this has ended after the dean attempted to have Richard black listed from employment at Black Hawk College. The dean refused to give a reason for this action. This attempted black listing failed after intervention by the president. After this latest malicious treatment Richard has chosen not to offer his services to Black Hawk College.

October 1999, Richard and Kristine adopted a collie-husky mix dog from the Milan Humane Society shelter. They named her Cinder. After nearly 11 years, and after a very sudden, brief illness, she passed away in July of 2010. On October 22nd, 2010, Richard and Kristine adopted a retired greyhound racer from the Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption. Her professional racing name was Baby Lily, but she was known as just Lily once she was adopted. She was 7 years old at the time of adoption. She ran in 91 races during her racing career, and won 11 of those races, finished 2nd in 14 races and 3rd in 8 races. After 14.5 years of running and being a member of the family, Lily passed away on January 26th, 2018. On August 7th, 2014, their third dog was adopted from Rock Island County Animal Care & Control shelter. Her name is Luna and she is a malamute-husky mix.

Richard is a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. During his off time Richard likes reading science fiction, working on the computer, home improvement and woodworking.

• Astronomy: The Solar System
• Environmental Science 1
• Environmental Science 2
• Historical Geology
• Meteorology
• Physical Geography 1
• Physical Geography 2
• Physical Geology
• Physical Science 1
• World Regional Geography

Astronomy Goes to Hollywood
Can the North Star be seen in Manhattan? What's wrong with the Buick commercial? Does Sandra Bullock know orbital maechanics? Can a space station be open to space? Is Jupiter really a failed star? Find out as we take a look at astronomy and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films and one television commercial: Elysium, Regarding Henry, 2010: The Year We Make Contact, Gravity, and Interstellar.

Australia: A Travelogue
Want to know what kangaroo, crocodile and emu taste like? Or, what it's like to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef? This presentation will share the sights and stories from trips to Australia in 1996 and 1998.

Chile: Volcanoes, Deserts and Glaciers
The geology and geography of the South American country of Chile are described and shown. The volcanoes and landforms of the Andes Mountains, the glaciers and fjords of Tierra del Fuego, and the Atacama Desert are included in this presentation.

Energy: Sources and Suppliers
From fossil fuels to nuclear power to wind power, what are the sources of energy in the United States that powers our lights, moves our cars, provides our heat, and charges our cell phones? From where does this energy come and how is it produced? Can the United States meet its oil needs and become "oil independent"? The answer isn't what the politicians have been telling you! This presentation will give a brief overview of the various sources of energy that we use, how much we use, and who is supplying that energy.

From Shit to Truth: And Other Crappy Thoughts
A humorous and educational look at fecal matter and how scientists sift through a world full of BS to find the scientific truth. (Warning: this presentation contains foul language.)

Geography Goes to Hollywood: Weathering the Storm in Film
Tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, weather forecasting, Monsoons, and extreme weather - Does Hollywood portray these weather phenomenon correctly? Find out as we take a look at weather and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films: Key Largo, Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Groundhog Day, and The Day After Tomorrow.

Geology Goes to Hollywood: Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Dinosaurs, Oh My!
Could a volcano really erupt in downtown Los Angeles? Would Tyrannosaurus rex really go chasing after jeeps? Could the Earth's core really stop spinning and spell doom for the human race? Is a tsunami going to wipe out New York City? Find out as we take a look at geology and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films: Jurassic Park, Superman, Volcano, The Core, and The Day After Tomorrow.

Geology Goes to Hollywood: Volcanoes, Glaciers and the End of the World! Part 2
Why didn't the world end in 2012? Are those really the Rocky Mountains? Can Mars be terraformed into a habitable planet? What do rocks and geology have to do with a prison break? Find out as we take a look at geology and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films: Cliffhanger, 2012, The Chronicles of Riddick, Total Recall, and The Shawshank Redemption.

Global Warming: Evidence and Causes
Is global warming real? What does the evidence show? What are the natural and human-induced causes of global warming? What climate changes will occur in the next century? These and other questions will be examined to provide a basic understanding of climate science, and insight into the issues surrounding global warming.

Honduras: A Peace Corps Perspective
An overview of the country of Honduras from the perspective of a Peace Corps Volunteer who lived there from 1989-91. The presentation also includes an explanation of the Peace Corps, its goals, and what it is like to be a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Natural Hazards: Questions and Answers
We live on a dangerous planet. There are hazards all around us. Avalanches, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, landslides, volcanic eruption and asteroid collisions can all have a devastating impact on human life and property. This presentation will briefly introduce the Earth science of how each of these hazards operates, then address questions and concerns regarding these hazards from the members of the audience. Are you in danger of an earthquake in your area? Ask and find out!

A Geologist's View of the National Parks
Planning a visit to a national park or monument? Want to learn more about what you have already seen in a recent visit? This presentation is designed to provide a look at these national treasures from the perspective of a geologist. What does a geologist see when he looks at the Grand Canyon? Geologic features of parks from the United States, Canada, Chile and Australia will be examined.

The parks and monuments that are included in the presentation:
• Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
• North Cascades National Park, Washington;
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
• Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Death Valley National Park, California
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Zion National Park, Utah
• Great Sand National Monument, Colorado
• White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
• Dinosaur National Monument, Utah/Colorado
• Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
• Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
• Uluru National Park, Nambung Australia
• Daintree National Park, Australia
• Otway National Park, Australia
• Warrumbungle National Park, Australia

Other National Parks and Monunments that may be mentioned:
• Arches National Park, Utah
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
• Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks National Park/Monument, Utah
• Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
• Colorado National Monument, Colorado
• Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
• Mount St. Helens National Monument, Washington
• Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
• Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
• Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona

• Museum Displays: Information on some of my materials that are being used in museums.

• Rock Island County Fair Awards: Information on some of my award winning entries in the local county fair.

• Southern Illinois - 2008
• Michigan and Wisconsin - 2007
• Mercury Transit - 2006
• Washington & Canada - 2006
• Idaho - 2005
• Venus Transit - 2004
• Minnesota - 2003
• Total Lunar Eclipse - 2003
• Arizona - 2002
• Chile - 2001
• Michigan-Canada - 2001
• Total Lunar Eclipse - 2000
• Washington DC - 2000
• Colorado - 1999
• Oregon - 1999
• Australia - 1998
• Australia - 1996
• Honduras - 1994
• Guatemala - 1993
• Nicaragua - 1991, 1992
• U.S. Peace Corps, Honduras - 1989-1991
• England - 1981

Click here to view a map showing the tectonic plates that I have visited and the sites on those plates.

Geologic sites and features in and around the Quad Cities Area.

• "Never under estimate the power of human stupidity"
         - Robert Heinlein, Time Enough For Love

• "Hypocrisy is folly. It is much easier, safer and pleasanter to be the thing which a man appears, than to keep up the appearance of what he is not."
         - Richard Cecil, in Remains of the Rev. Richard Cecil, M.A., by Joseph Pratt.

• ". . . the more technically developed a nation or race is, the more cruel, ruthless, predatory, and commercialized its systems tend to become . . . all because we continue to think like animals and have not learned how to think consistently like human beings."
         - A.E. van Vogt, The World of Null-A

• "Pay no attention to Caesar. Caesar doesn't have the slightest idea what's really going on."
         - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle

• "Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before."
         - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle

• "Is it not a pleasure to learn and to repeat or practice from time to time what has been learned."
         - Confucius 1:1

• "And so, my fellow Americans...ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country."
         - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

• "Lo único que se puede aprender de la historia de la humanidad es que no hay nada más peligroso que una utopía."
         - Juan José "Pepe" Rojo, Ruido Gris

Gerad Meteyer Foundation
The Gerad Meteyer Foundation (GMF) is a volunteer-run, federally recognized tax-exempt charity that provides camperships to send underprivileged diabetic children to Camp Midicha.

Sigma Nu Fraternity Educational Foundation
The mission of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation is to secure and provide enduring resources in support of the Fraternity's educational and charitable initiatives.

Ronald C. Blakey Scholarship Fund for Graduate Research
A scholarship for graduate students in earth sciences and environmental sustainability, or in geology who is conducting research in area of sedimentary research.

Kiva.org
Kiva's mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Below are the loans and projects that are being currently supported. Also listed are the loans that have been supported and repaid. Click on the picture to learn more about the projects.

Current Loans
Samuel Electrical Goods Kenya	Harriet Retail Vanuatu	Miguel De Los Angeles Cobbler Nicaragua	Vincent Spare Parts Kenya	Firuza Embroidery Tajikistan	Maposhoane Home Energy Lesotho
Anonymous Energy Myanmar	Víctor Jesús Personal Housing Expenses Panama	Claude Secretarial Services Rwanda	Edward Home Energy Zambia	Ruben Manufacturing Bolivia	Safaa Printing Israel
Francisco Entertainment Puerto Rico
Repaid Loans
Aida Livestock Kyrgyzstan	Soknov Motorcycle Repair Cambodia	Edgar Dario Vehicle Repairs Paraguay	Alaa Machine Shop Jordan	Jose Uriel Jewelry Nicaragua	Pampa Redonda Group Clothing Sales Bolivia
Ilknur Clothing Sales Turkey	Joyce Grocery Store Papua New Guinea	Edgar Electronics Repair Philippines	Makereta Fruits & Vegetables Fiji	Jenny Clothing Solomon Islands	Nicolás De La Cruz Metal Shop El Salvador
Blendi Cleaning Services Albania	Shoira Sewing Tajikistan	Adjo Catherine Construction Supplies Togo	Teuila Clothing Samoa	'akosita Textiles Tonga	Rachel Fish Selling Liberia
Matthew Cosmetics Sales United States Defaulted	Tadi Weaving Thailand	Dipika Motorcycle Transport India	Antonio Jesus Personal Medical Expenses Mexico	Dumitru Farming Moldova	Alberto Education provider Timor-Leste
Mirlanbek Retail Kyrgyzstan	David Shoe Sales Ghana Defaulted	Ndamyo Mobile Transactions Malawi	James Junior Food Market Haiti	Adamu Primary/secondary school costs Nigeria	Nahida Animal Sales Azerbaijan Defaulted
Fortunee Education Rwanda	Ahmad Grocery Store Egypt	Dorine Beverages Cameroon	Demetrio Taxi Paraguay	Nang Tedeng Len Group Bricks Indonesia	Bajram Agriculture Albania
Mulheres Independentes Group Food Production/Sales Brazil	Fati Food Production/Sales Burkina Faso	Liana Hanitra Butcher Shop Madagascar	Saingleng Cattle Cambodia	Sewa Group Cereals Mali	Elsa Paola Arts Ecuador
Cristo La Fuente 1,3,4,5 Group Cafe Dominican Republic	Mohammad Auto Repair Jordan	Yeny Maritza Entertainment Colombia Defaulted	Ivette Elizabeth Bookstore Nicaragua	Gulnoza Bakery Tajikistan	For Say Group Beauty Salon Sierra Leone
Vyagizimana Group Barber Shop Burundi	Jerusha Personal Use Kenya	Sherif Furniture Making Kosovo	Zosima Transportation Philippines	Hashim Quarrying Tanzania	Catarina Housing Mozambique
Ivan Dario Carpentry Colombia	Intelligent Group Recycling Zimbabwe	Boaz Group Pharmacy D.R. Congo	Yousef Blacksmith Palestine	Ahmad Furniture Making Lebanon	Exitosas Group Crafts Bolivia
Arayik Furniture Making Armenia	Cecilio Furniture Making Honduras	M. Saeed Furniture Making Pakistan	Yensi Furniture Making Costa Rica	Namuun-Aizam Furniture Making Mongolia	Manuel Antonio Woodworking El Salvador
Kassim Timber Sales Uganda	Viktor Furniture Making Ukraine	Mouhamadou Furniture Making Senegal	Gocha Furniture Making Georgia	Elmer Eduardo Construction Peru	Jorge Aquiles Home Products Sales Honduras
Heyssell Sarai Catering Honduras	Somos Catrachos… General Store Honduras	Aida Esperanza General Store Honduras	Margaritas De… Clothing Sales Guatemala	Nguyen Thi Poultry Viet Nam	Martina Clothing Sales Honduras

2012, Mineral and Rock Identification Atlas; 2nd Edition; Lulu Press, 87 p.

2012, The Peace Corps, A Mentor's Advice and the Leasons Learned; Art Fusion magazine, Black Hawk College Art Department, p. 8-9.

2002, A Geologist's Travels in Chile; Illinois State Univ. Geology/Geography magazine Glacial Deposits. November 2004

1998, Geologic map of the Ojojona quadrangle; Instituto Geográfico Nacional Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000.

1996, Geologic map of the Yuscarán quadrangle; Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000.

1992, Geology of the Yuscarán quadrangle, Francí­sco Morazán, Honduras; Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000. [in Spanish]

1991, Geology of the Ojojona quadrangle, Francí­sco Morazán, Honduras; Instituto Geográfico Nacional Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000. [in Spanish]

1989, Reconstruction of cinder cone breaching events: an example at Strawberry Crater and O'Neill Crater, Arizona; Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, v. 24, p. 42-43.

1989, Analysis of breach azimuths for cinder cones in the San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona; Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, v. 24, p. 43.