Where are our Alumni now?
CLEARFIELD MAN NAMED PENN STATE OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. -- Terry A. Rightnour of Clearfield, is one of six people to receive a 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and provides 
opportunities for recipients to interact with faculty, students, and other alumni.
Mr. Rightnour, president and principal hydrologist of Water’s Edge Hydrology Inc., graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Management in 1973 and a Masters degree in Environmental Pollution Control in 1983, both from Penn State.
He has more than 35 years of experience in the field of environmental consulting and is most recognized for his innovative work in developing and applying natural designs and sustainable technologies for water resource protection, restoration, and management. His corporate experience includes senior management positions both in industry and with national environmental consulting organizations.
His work with electric utilities has included award-winning designs for constructed wetlands to treat industrial wastewater discharges. For mining and land development, he provides environmental management services for facility planning and regulatory compliance relating to water resources and wetlands. He has been involved with the PA Growing Greener Program since its inception, providing technical support services to non-profit conservation groups on the development and implementation of watershed restoration plans for the mitigation of acid rain impacts on native trout streams, acid mine drainage treatment, stream restoration, and stormwater management.
His current research interests are directed toward the development of more cost-effective management approaches and designs for watershed restoration and advanced constructed wetland designs for industrial water treatment. As a guest instructor, he participates in Penn State’s environmental programs and educational seminars on environmental management and has developed and taught similar workshops for industry and government. As part of his work, he is a frequent author and presenter of professional papers at national and international symposiums and conferences.
Mr. Rightnour is a Registered Professional Hydrologist and Certified Professional Wetland Scientist and has professional affiliations with the American Institute of Hydrology, the Society of Wetland Scientists, and the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals.
He was a founding member of the Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Alumni Group Steering Committee from 1999 to 2001, Chair of the ERM Affiliate Program Group from 2001 to 2003 and a member of the Board of Directors from 2001 to 2006.
“Terry Rightnour has made outstanding contributions to the private environmental consulting field and to Penn State, the Environmental Resource Management program and alumni,” says James Shortle, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics and director of Penn State’s Environment and Natural Resources Institute. “He is truly deserving of recognition as an outstanding alumnus.”
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EDITORS: For more information, contact Naomi Knaub, director of alumni relations, at (814) 867-1819 or by e-mail at nmk107@psu.edu.
Writer:
Kendra Confer
Editor:
Chuck Gill
814-863-2713
