LSC-AMS & NWA History of the LSC-AMS & NWA

The Lyndon State College Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association (LSC-AMS & NWA) was founded in 1971 in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Centered around the nationally acclaimed meteorology program at Lyndon, our club not only promotes education in science but also demonstrates strong ties to the college community and surrounding towns near LSC.

The isolation of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont does not restrict the capabilities of this chapter. The LSC-AMS & NWA is one of the largest and most active clubs on the Lyndon State College campus. With over 70 members out of a 1400 member college community, 5% of the LSC community is a member of this student chapter and with a much higher percentage participating in the various events the chapter sponsors around the Lyndonville area.

Year-round, the LSC-AMS & NWA is constantly organizing fundraisers that promote participation from other students and community members as well as special events for its members. Winter in northern New England starts early, and the contest for the first measurable inch of snow on the college campus challenges the forecasting skills of all. The annual Photo Contest entices avid photographers in the region to capture diverse New England weather conditions on film and display it on the cover of the annual Northeastern Storm Conference Booklet. Pictures from thunderstorms and tornadoes to ice and snow scenes to even the brilliant northern lights have graced the cover of this booklet.

In the heart of a brutal winter complete with subzero temperatures and frequent snowfalls, the club organizes the annual semi-formal Winter Ball, the only one in existence on the LSC campus. It is a night of music, prizes, and fun for all! All of the fundraisers and planning of the first six months of the academic year lead up to the club's cornerstone event, the Annual Northeastern Storm Conference (NESC). This conference is the largest student-run and student sponsored conference in the nation. The NESC promotes the sharing of knowledge, research, and other aspects affecting the evolving meteorology community in a professional conference format. Much of the fundraising done earlier in the year goes toward reducing the costs for students that attend the conference. It is one of the main intents of the LSC-AMS&NWA to ensure that the next generation of the atmospheric scientists has the chance to experience a professional conference.

To complete the academic year, the LSC-AMS & NWA co-sponsors a regional Science Fair for Northeast Kingdom elementary and middle school students with Sigma Zeta. This event promotes science education in the schools of the surrounding communities. Students perform experiments and projects in all fields of science and display their efforts and knowledge to the general public. The day also has presentations in physics, chemistry, and meteorology by the LSC community that reinforces the applications of the sciences in our everyday lives.

The LSC-AMS&NWA has shown great promise and success in its previous years and always strives to make each year better than the last. For this strive and dedication, the LSC-AMS & NWA has been awarded the Student Chapter of the Year Award from the National AMS three times for being a .role model. for other student chapters in 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2004-2005. The chapter also has received the National Weather Service Certificate of Recognition in 2000 for "outstanding contributions in promoting exchange of atmospheric and hydrologic knowledge throughout the Northeast United States."