Charles E. Mason

This scholarship was created in honor of Dr. Robert Thomas Lierman or “Tom” to those
who knew him. Tom graduated with his B.S. degree from MSU in 1974, with his master’s degree
from Miami University in Ohio in 1984, and with his PhD degree from the George Washington
University in DC in 1995. Tom returned to Morehead in 1987 where he taught in the Geology
Program until 1991. From MSU Tom went on to do a postdoc at the University of Louisville for
one year, teach 2 years at Indiana University in Pennsylvania and obtained a teaching position at
Eastern Kentucky University in 2001.

Tom taught at EKU through 2015 where his declining medical condition forced him to
retire. Tom Passed away on November 30, 2016 shortly after his retirement due to medical
complications. Tom, though very demanding in his classes, was extremely well liked by his
students. He was a devoted teacher and a meticulous researcher. He was a scientist that made
many contributions to the field of Geology.