Dr. Terry Hughes
Professor of Earth Sciences
and Climate Change Institute

Dr. Terry Hughes is retiring this year after 35 years of service to the Department of Earth Sciences (formerly Department of Geological Sciences) and the Climate Change Institute (formerly Institute for Quaternary Studies) at the University of Maine. Terry is an internationally renowned glaciologist who pioneered many of the modern ideas currently under study in the field. Not least of these is the current understanding of how massive ice sheets collapse and how important future collapse of portions of the Antarctic ice sheet will be to future sea level rise, a concept now commonly referred to as “the soft weak underbelly" of Antarctica.

He is well known to his students and his colleagues for his passionate and insightful approaches to the field of glaciology. Many of what some might describe as “outlandish” scientific contributions may not even be appreciated for years to come. His passion for glaciology is also clearly imprinted in the careers of his many highly accomplished students who now have careers of their own and who will always remember that Terry’s door was always open.

Terry, for your 35 years of service to the University of Maine and your devotion to your work, we thank you. Best wishes also on your retirement.