University of Texas Libraries Endowments

Geology Foundation Library Endowments

The following endowments provide important supplementary support for the Walter Geology Library acquisitions and operations. These funds contribute significantly to making available valuable geology information resources to University of Texas students and faculty, as well as to researchers and corporations within Texas and the Southwest.

J. C., Jr. and Elizabeth C. Walter Fund

Set up by J. C. "Joe" Walter, Jr. in 1981, this fund has been supplemented recently by an additional major grant and matching funds. Investment proceeds from this endowment provide major supplemental support for acquisitions for the Walter Geology Library.

Barrow Periodical Fund

This fund has grown out of a recent fund drive. Income from this fund was first spent in 1995. The fund, endowed by Mrs. Laura Barrow and her son, Dr. Thomas Barrow, supports the purchase of periodicals, most especially those relating to petroleum.

Chernoff Family Library Fund for Geophysics and Earth System Sensing

Family members of Charlie N. Chernoff established this fund in 2005 to support library information in geophysics and remote sensing. Charlie Chernoff retired from Chevron as Chief Geophysicist in 1992. He was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, and completed his earth science education at the University of Saskatchewan. Chernoff started his career doing geological field mapping for Standard Oil. In 1960, he transitioned into geophysics, where he remained for the next 32 years. Chernoff's career encouraged several family members to pursue the geosciences. His brother, Michael Chernoff, has been a major contributor to the petroleum industry in Canada and Ecuador. Michael's son, Bruce Chernoff,works in the petroleum industry, as does Charlie's daughter, Dr.Carlotta Chernoff, who holds a doctorate in earth sciences. Two other Chernoffs, Michael's daughter Cathy and Charlie's daughter Cheryl, graduated from the School of Architecture at UT Austin.

Tobin International Geological Library Fund

Established in 1980 by Tobin Research of San Antonio, this fund provides all materials funds for the Geology Library map collection. All other materials are received through depository or exchange programs. The Tobin Fund has permitted the Geology Library to acquire some outstanding map materials and atlases that would have been impossible to acquire otherwise. Investment proceeds from the endowment also support staff assistance five hours per week. This assistance has enabled the Library to catalog a major portion of the collection. Investment proceeds from the endowment have also been used to support the purchase of equipment, furniture, and supplies for the Map Room.

Wendtlandt Fund

A very special fund from which investment proceeds are used to purchase equipment upgrades; to pay for reimbursements when travelers bring the Geology Library materials from international meetings; and to pay shipping costs for occasional gift collections from special donors.

Whitney Memorial Fund

Set up in 1963 with an initial anonymous donation, funds distributed from the endowment support the purchase of paleontology materials. This fund has been supplemented in recent years by money raised from book sales.