MICAH JOHN JESSUP’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE

Micah J. Jessup has been an outstanding and highly valued faculty member in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences during his 16-year career at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). Micah arrived at UTK in 2007 as an assistant professor, after completing his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. He immediately addressed his responsibilities, succeeded at becoming an effective teacher and researcher, developed collaborations with faculty at other universities, and continued to work in the Himalayas, where he conducted his dissertation research, with National Science Foundation (NSF) support, and later the Cordillera Blanca in Peru and in the Homestake shear zone in Colorado. The outcomes of his diverse research on vorticity analysis, timing and geometry of Himalayan extension, interplay of Himalayan denudation and mid-crustal flow, and Andean fluids and tectonic interactions with the underlying slab attracted outstanding students and enriched both his undergraduate and graduate teaching. Micah advised four PhD and ten MS students, as well as mentored more than 16 undergraduates. By the time of his retirement, having been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor, Micah had published over 30 papers in refereed journals, and was supported by several grants from NSF and other sources. He and Bob Hatcher had many common interests, and shared teaching graduate structure and tectonics courses. His quiet, even demeanor also made him a popular member of the faculty, who enjoyed their associations with him and wife Laura.

In summary, we honor Micah’s exemplary career contributions to UTK and the scientific community. Micah has been a truly outstanding colleague. He has made significant research contributions that have expanded the scientific knowledge of mid-crustal processes and orogenic evolution. He has been an inspiring teacher and mentor in the classroom and in research. He has made impactful contributions to the department, university, and community. Throughout his career, he has always strived for excellence and to reach his highest potential—sometimes literally on very tall mountains.