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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky announced today that the $776,133 in fiscal year 2008 funds he secured for the Valparaiso University (VU) Department of Geography and Meteorology has been delivered to VU by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The funding will be used to purchase advanced meteorological equipment for teaching and research.
“The recent weather events across Northwest Indiana provided a brutal reminder of how important it is to closely monitor the weather and to be prepared for sudden, severe weather systems,” said Visclosky. “The equipment purchased with this funding will provide vital, up-to-the-minute information on the weather that will help keep all of Northwest Indiana a step ahead of the next storm. It will also provide a valuable teaching tool that prepares the next generation of meteorologists and advances cutting-edge research in atmospheric science.”
“This award will benefit both the University and the region as it will significantly strengthen and broaden our faculty and students' data analysis, laboratory, and field opportunities, as well as provide area secondary schools the opportunity to join with the Meteorology program in a unique educational outreach partnership,” said Dr. Bart J. Wolf, Chair of the VU Department of Geography and Meteorology. “We will be able to study the unique weather of Northwest Indiana in ways never before possible, while providing high school students some measure of the hands-on joy of discovery that is part of the scientific endeavor. We thank Congressmen Visclosky for his efforts in making this significant and beneficial award possible.”
The funding will be used to purchase a dual-polarization detection Doppler weather radar system and a radiosonde balloon launching station, the only one in Indiana. The sophisticated technologies will offer critical weather data to the meteorological community and area forecasters by providing ground verification for radar signals and collection of additional weather data. They will also serve as a teaching and research aid for VU students and faculty and, through community outreach programs, help engage students of all ages in meteorology.
“The Valparaiso University Meteorology Department not only performs advanced scientific research, but also serves the community by closely monitoring the weather and keeping residents informed of significant events,” said Visclosky. “With the purchase of this new equipment, it will become an even greater asset for Northwest Indiana.” |
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