Examples

SAMPLE STUDENT PROJECT Marshall Shepherd: A Man of Opportunity

In his award-cluttered office, Marshall Shepherd patiently sits and listens to a student as she expresses her future desires, dreams and fears.

“I’m going to be honest with you, after this election jobs may be limited because of a potential drop in funding. But, if this is what you really want to do, then go for it,” he advises her.

He listens intently, never breaking eye contact as she maps out her future goals. He even offers some words of affirmation in a measured and soothing voice before agreeing to write a recommendation for a job that she is applying for. Encouraging students — even in the face of obstacles — is one job of many that Shepherd holds.

Born in Canton, Georgia, Shepherd grew up as an only child. His love for meteorology and the weather didn’t begin until sixth grade. He was assigned a science project where he had to predict the weather. From there his love for climate science was born, and his journey into becoming an accomplished meteorologist began.

Shepherd attended Florida State University and earned his undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. degrees there. In 1999 he became the first African American student to be awarded a Ph.D. in Physical Meteorology at FSU. However, while some would consider this a huge accomplishment in someone’s career and a highpoint in their life, Shepherd said that although he is proud of this accomplishment, it makes him sad and he doesn’t think “it is that great” because it shows the lack of diversity in this field. This is one of the reasons why Shepherd is in the position he is in today. He is interested in broadening the diversity in the science and meteorology field.

* * *

After graduating from FSU, Shepherd’s work with the American Meteorology Society led to a 12-year career with NASA. Based on the scientific work he did at NASA, in 2004, Shepherd was honored at the White House and awarded the Presidential Early Career Award by President George W. Bush. In addition to this award, he was also given a signed photograph of President Bush — now displayed proudly in his office.

 “I truly love what I do, and never say to myself, ‘God I wish it was Friday already.’”

Shepherd is a man of opportunity. When an opportunity arises, he goes after it. “I wasn’t looking to leave NASA, but the opportunity to teach at the University of Georgia presented itself, and I saw the potential to elevate the profile of the weather and climate program here at UGA.”  Now, he serves as the director of the Atmospheric Science program for graduate and undergraduate students.

In addition to doing research and teaching, Shepherd also hosts “Weather Geeks,” a Sunday talk show hosted by the Weather Channel. This makes him the only professor hosting a national talk show. Yet, he doesn’t do it for the money. He loves “Weather Geeks” because it provides a platform for people to be informed and exposed to weather and climate change in a way they may have never experienced before.

“I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to this stuff,” Shepherd said. “I truly love what I do, and never say to myself, ‘God I wish it was Friday already.’”

Research Topics

  • Shepherd’s research focuses on understanding different aspects of Earth’s hydrometerological and hydroclimate system using advanced satellites, radars, and computers models
  • Different Topics Include:
    • Urbanization and the Weather-Hyrdoclimate System: characterize urban-related influences on spatio-temporal variability in hydroclimate
    • Tropical Precipitation Systems: characterize and quantify precipitation within tropical precipitating systems.
    • Diversity in the Atmospheric Sciences: broadening the exposure of under-represented groups to atmospheric science

Dr. Fred’s Weather Watch

  • Co-authored by Marshall Shepherd and Fred Bortz
  • It is a children’s book that shows kids how to predict the weather in their own backyards using simple, and inexpensive meteorological instruments

Shepherd is driven and takes all of his jobs very seriously. However, he still takes the time to laugh and have fun. In his free time, Shepherd is a big sports fan and loves watching college football. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and through that organization serves the community through different educational activities.

Even with all of the accolades and awards, Shepherd still considers his family as one of his greatest accomplishments. He has been married to his wife Ayana Shepherd for 18 years, and has a 13-year-old daughter Arissa, and a 5-year-old son, Anderson.

Keith Seitter, a colleague who served on the American Meteorological Society with Shepherd, describes him as engaging, funny and humble. “He is respectful of everyone he interacts with, eager to be exposed to the views of others- just a good person.”

Shepherd holds many responsibilities in addition to being a husband and father and on average juggles conference calls, interviews, teaching and writing grant proposals.  Yet he still makes it a priority to spend time with his family and is an active presence in his children’s lives. He is the type of man who will leave in the middle of an important conference call, just so he and his wife can take his daughter to the dentist after she fell and broke her tooth.

‘I don’t know how he balances it all,” Mike Chesterfield, the executive producer of “Weather Geeks,” said. “He truly gives everything his all, and his work ethic is the best I’ve ever seen.”

 

This is a timeline of Shepherd Awards attached here