Tulsa, Oklahoma, isn’t exactly a place you’d think there are a lot of Bears.  

Geology, geography and planning found that there are a lot of Bears — Missouri State University Bears.  

More than 10 people drove to Tulsa Sept. 28 to meet with four geology alumni: 

• Shannon (Brown) Jeffries (BS, Geology, 2008) 
• James Kendall (BS, Geology, 1994) 
• Danielle Robinson (BS, Geology, 2006) 
•  Drew Thomas (BS, Geology, 2010) 

Dr. Doug Gouzie, professor of geology, drove 10 students to Joe Momma’s Pizza.  

Students were treated to pizza, salad and drinks by the alumni.  

A few students would sit with an alumnus for 20 minutes. After that, the alumnus would switch, letting each student interact with all the alumni. There was also open discussion time afterward.  

“The alumni noted how impressed they were by each student,” Gouzie said. “The students noted how helpful the information each alum shared about their career, getting their first job or internship, or even just talking about their ‘typical day’ at the office.” 

Even weeks later, alumni have followed up with students, furthering the education and relationships between students and industry professionals.