THE LEGACY CONTINUES: RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE CRAWFORD HYDROLOGY LABORATORY, WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Dr. Nick Crawford founded the Center for Cave and Karst Studies in 1979 which quickly became a leading national program for cave and karst science education and student engagement in applied karst hydrogeology. The Crawford Hydrology Laboratory at Western Kentucky University has continued his vision of solving environmental problems using state-of-the-art fluorescent dye tracing methods, providing education and training to professionals and students alike, as well as engaging dozens of students in karst hydrology research. The pioneering work of Dr. Crawford in groundwater tracing specifically, continues to support research nationally and internationally through programs in Brazil, China, and Jamaica and provides educational opportunities for students not only at Western Kentucky University, but at institutions across the United States.