William G. Tight

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William G. Tight (1865-1910) was an American geomorphologist who became president of the University of New Mexico (UNM).

Tight was one of the first to decipher the glacial drainage histories of the Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia area, specifically the long gone Teays River system and Glacial Lake Tight (which takes his name). These discoveries were documented and celebrated in publications and newspaper articles of the time.

In 1901 he left his wife and family, a secure job and an unfinished programme of research to become president of the recently formed UNM in Albuquerque. He became popular among staff and students for his work developing educational programmes and directing new building in the pueblo style, still finding time to research the geology and botany of New Mexico. In 1909, however, he was dismissed by the university's regents in a political move.

More would be known of Tight's life and work had a fire at UNM not destroyed many of his letters and records.

[edit] Source

Abstract to Prof Kennard Baker Bork's paper Holes in the Biographer's Net: The Case of William G. Tight (1865-1910), Geomorphologist and University President. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2001AM/finalprogram/abstract_19372.htm