SU Alumnus Mike Seidel Donates WeatherSTEM
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University students exploring careers in meteorology, geosciences, and climatology just received an extensive data upgrade thanks to SU alumnus Mike Seidel ’79, FOX Weather meteorologist and storm specialist.
Seidel’s state-of-the-art WeatherSTEM donation was recently installed atop SU’s Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons.
“I feel really great about this donation, not only because this is my Alma Mater, but because it’s something real and tangible that students can use and see the value of firsthand,” said Seidel. “It’s a great teaching tool, and I know the faculty is excited to start using it in the classroom. There’s no limit to the number of people who can benefit from the addition, from my network, FOX Weather, to local and national networks, and the community.”
WeatherSTEMs are hyperlocal weather intelligence platforms built around a physical weather station network at exact locations, vs. pulling data from across wide geographic regions like some standard weather services.
“This is only the fifth WeatherSTEM in Maryland, and only about 50 colleges and universities across the country have one,” said Seidel.
The atmospheric science faculty in SU’s Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology can incorporate real-time WeatherSTEM data and image captures into daily lectures and discussions about recent atmospheric conditions.
“Hands-on data, especially hyperlocal, is always beneficial in and out of the classroom,” said Zion Powell junior geography major of Denton, MD. “Accessing real-time inclement weather data from SU’s campus, including its west-facing live camera, can help us determine timely environmental threats and track weather systems more accurately.”
WeatherSTEM systems can measure variables including wind speed, rainfall, barometric pressure, UV Index, create timelapse videos, and more.
Powell knows firsthand how important climatology tools and data are, having completed meteorology internships at the University of South Florida and the National Weather Service.
“I’m really enjoying the community I’ve found throughout my upper-level studies in SU’s Geography and Geosciences Department,” said Powell, who has aspired to be a meteorologist since he was nine. “From the faculty to my fellow meteorology track student cohort, it’s rewarding to finally be around people who share my passions and be able to learn and grow together as we further our mutual interests and professional careers.”
Prior to FOX Weather, Seidel spent more than 30 years at The Weather Channel. Logging over 26,000 live shots throughout his career, he has covered every major weather event of the past three decades, including over 100 hurricanes and tropical storms as well as numerous snow and ice storms, and tornado outbreaks in 46 states throughout his illustrious career. He has also covered weather from many sporting events, including the Major League Baseball, The Indianapolis 500, PGA Tour events, and over 200 NFL football games. He was the first American meteorologist to broadcast live from Cuba in 2012.
View SU’s weatherSTEM dashboard.
For more information about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours, visit the SU website.