January 22, 2025
Matthew Brueseke appointed interim head of geology
Matthew Brueseke, professor of geology, has been named interim head of Kansas State University's geology department by Chris Culbertson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective Jan. 5.
Brueseke joined the geology department as an assistant professor in 2007 and was promoted to associate professor in 2013 and professor in 2020. He has served as the department's graduate program director since 2007 and has also served as its primary academic advisor and on numerous department committees. He has also served on the university's Graduate Council and Integrity in Research and Scholarly Activity Committee.
Brueseke's research interests include igneous petrology, volcanology, tectonics and mineral resources. He and his student mentees focus on understanding how magmas form, are modified and erupt, and on tectonic controls on magmatism and mineralization of precious metals and critical minerals.
Brueseke is a fellow of the Geological Society of America and a recipient of the geology department's Page Twiss Faculty Development Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Advising and its Faculty Development Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Advising.
"Dr. Brueseke is an outstanding teacher and researcher, and we are grateful for his willingness to lead the geology department during this transitional period," Culbertson said.
Brueseke earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Miami University in 1997 and 2006, respectively. Prior to coming to K-State, he spent two years as an instructor in the geology and geography department at Eastern Illinois University.