Home: Casper, Wyo. and Litchfield, Ariz.
Degrees: A.B., geology, Union, 1938; M.S., geology, Cornell, 1939; Honorary, University of Wyoming, 1988
Profession: Geologist; president, Wold Trona Company Inc., Gastech Inc. and various family mineral organizations
Why i do the work i do: “I was intrigued by geology as
a campus kid when I passed a spot where the geology department dumped old specimens; I built a collection
of minerals from around the world. After graduate work,
I took my $35 Model T Ford and headed west for the oil fields. I was hired by a gentleman who said, 'I haven't had much luck with boys from the East.' That was 1939.”
Faculty members who had the greatest impact: “My father, Dr. Peter I. Wold, head of the Physics Department (1919-45), was one of the most gifted teachers in my
college career. Geology Prof. (Edward) Smith inspired me to graduate studies.”
Memorable Union moment: Varsity
hockey trip, 1937: “I found a mouse in my Princeton dorm room wastebasket, put it in a little ice cream carton, and later threw it out in the middle of the rink. When it hit the ice, the crowd stood up to cheer for the mouse. We didn't have Zambonis then. Using three shovels and a hockey glove, four sweepers went after the mouse. A great groan and boos greeted the final capture of that mouse.”
What inspires me to
support Union: “Union is an outstanding small liberal arts school with an impressive engineering and science focus.
Financial support from alumni will enable better
recognition of our present and historic stature.”
Union honors: Eliphalet Nott Medal, 1999;
Term Trustee, 1981-90; Trustee Emeritus;
Wessel Ten Broeck Van Orden Prize; second
St. Andrews University exchange scholar
Legacy on campus: Making a $20 million commitment, with his wife, Jane, to the College, the largest gift in College history. Endowment will support a variety of programs, from scholarships and a professorship in religious studies to scientific and technical equipment. Established the John and Jane Wold Professorship of Geology,1980.
Favorite book: The Old Man and the Sea by
Ernest Hemingway
Words to live by: “I prefer the dreams of the future to the memories of the past.” (Thomas Jefferson to John Adams)