Aureal Cross, a retired MSU emeritus professor from the Department of Geological Sciences, received the McMicken Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Cincinnati on Saturday.
The award honors two to three graduates of the University of Cincinnati who make a substantial contribution to their field of study, said Lindsey Theobald, development coordinator in the University of Cincinnati’s office of development and alumni relations.
Cross taught at MSU for 25 years, specializing in paleobotany and palynology from 1961-86, and retired at age 70. Cross continued to teach, unpaid, to finish working on his students’ theses.
“He gave an incredible speech about the coking of coal and caught the imagination of everyone there,” said Nicky Cross, Aureal Cross’ daughter-in-law.
During World War II, Aureal Cross discovered a way to determine the ability of different types of coal to become steel by observing their reflective properties, Nicky Cross said. This led to faster production of steel for planes and other equipment by the US government.
Aureal Cross, 93, received dual doctoral degrees in geology and botany from the University of Cincinnati in 1943, Nicky Cross said.
Aureal Cross also taught at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Southern California, the University of West Virginia, as well as in Calcutta, India on a six-month sabbatical. Aureal Cross’ fossil collection and research is stored at The Field Museum in Chicago.
Aureal Cross published more than 60 journal articles and eight books, Theobald said.
“He’s had an incredible career and we’re certainly very proud to be honoring him,” she said.
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