John J. Renton is a professor of geology

Geology

Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...

 at West Virginia University

West Virginia University

West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...

, known for the quality of the teaching in his introductory geology courses and in the video version of the course, Nature of Earth. In 2002, he was named an Eberly Family Professor for Distinguished Teaching, one of only four at the University.

Education

Renton earned a B.S. from Waynesburg College in 1956, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 1959 and 1963 respectively.

Academic career

He has taught at the university since 1965. His research specializations are coal geology and geochemistry.

Nature of Earth

Renton has created a 36 part lecture series on DVD called Nature of Earth. Bill Gates

Bill Gates

William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...

 has this program as example of the sorts of educational innovation that the Gates Foundation intends to support, calling the course "phenomenal".

External links

• Renton's web page at WVU