Faculty Spotlight-Mr. Carl Doney

Mr. Doney received a B.S. in Geology, a M.S. in Geosciences from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and attended a Ph.D. program at Michigan State University. His graduate-level course work includes several courses in geology, biology, zoology, and botany, and his expertise is in the field of Paleontology. He has been teaching geology and physical science courses at South Texas College since 2006. Prior to the STC teaching appointment, he taught courses in geology, physical science, integrated science, computer science and lithic technology at other educational institutions.

Mr. Doney has over 50 years of geology field experience. His love for the geological field trips began at the age of 4 when he accompanied his father, a geology professor, on a field trip. Currently, Mr. Doney takes numerous field-trips each year in New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. Each semester, he conducts field trips for his Historical Geology classes to South Padre Island during which the students discuss the geological history of the island, investigate different depositional environments, study the cross-bedding in the sand of the sand dunes, and collect pumice, magnetite sand, and “future fossils.”

His current research interests are the Eocene and Oligocene age sediments of the gulf coast, including those in Starr and Zapata Counties. He is especially interested in the Cyathodendron fossils, Eocene age tree ferns of South Texas. Additional research lies in the gravel of the Rio Grande (rocks, fossils, and mineral), and has been collaborating with a UTRGV professor to identify the different types and origins. Mr. Doney has also done extensive research on modern and fossil sharks (mainly teeth). Mr. Doney started conducting experimental archeology in 1983, mainly within the areas of lithic technology (flint knapping and ground stone tools) and atlatls (spear throwers). He has taught lithic technology seminars, and has created stone artifact replicas for museums.

Mr. Doney has a mammoth-sized collection of rock, mineral and fossil specimens. His collection also includes Makonde, shetani wooden sculptures from East Africa, aboriginal artifacts from New Guinea and Australia, stamps, coins, seashells, antlers, skulls, Suiseki, Gongshi, molcajetes, metates, books (over 6,000), and antique mining tools.