Museum Staff

Dr. Ratajeski has served as the Director of the Dice Mineralogical Museum since 2023.  Having enjoyed being around minerals, rocks, fossils, and meteorites from a young age, Dr. Ratajeski studied geology in college and grad school, eventually specializing in the igneous petrology of granites in graduate school.  His research and teaching assignments all across the country eventually culminated in his joining Calvin’s Department of Geology, Geography, and Environment at Calvin as a Lecturer where he teaches courses in introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, tectonics, geology field methods, and geology as vocation. In his spare time, Dr. Ratajeski enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and music.  His favorite mineral is cuprosklodowskite, a green, radioactive mineral named after Polish scientist Marie (Sklodowska) Curie.

Chafer Jolman is a senior Geology and Geography major from Hudsonville, MI. His favorite part about working in the Museum is putting together new displays and giving tours to visitors. In addition to his work as the Museum’s Curator, Chafer has spent the past two summers doing paleoclimate research with Dr. Melinda Higley. Chafer intends to pursue graduate studies in a related field. Outside of his academic interests, Chafer enjoys birdwatching, mountain biking, and woodcarving.

Lucy Tate is a senior geology student from Proctor, VT. She just finished a summer research project on paleolimnology with a focus on charcoal as a proxy. One of Lucy’s favorite aspects of geosciences is getting to go on field trips and do hands on activities. She also loves building community through these experiences. After Calvin Lucy is hoping to attend graduate school to continue conducting research in geology. In her free time Lucy enjoys going on hikes, crocheting, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Her favorite mineral in the museum is apophyllite on stilbite. Lucy’s favorite thing about working at the museum is getting to talk and connect with visitors.

Abigail Gustafson is an Environmental Science major from Ramsey, Minnesota.  MNEnvironmental science.  As a freshman at Calvin in the First Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES) program, she studied a rare dune thistle.  She also likes to study old growth forests.  Abby appreciates how the geosciences integrate the beauty of our world and the systems that shape it.  She is currently working on her GIS Masters at Calvin.  Her favorite rock is chert. 

Zach Guikema is a geology major from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He enjoys hiking, woodcarving, and hanging out with friends. He is interested in environmental geology and had the opportunity to do summer research in 2024. His research project resulted in the first collection of micrometeorites obtained from rooftops on the Calvin campus. His favorite mineral is marcasite.

Simon Vandermolen is a Senior majoring in Geology and Geography. He was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta where his love for the outdoors began at a young age. He has also spent time living in Oakville, Ontario and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is currently working on a Groundwater mapping GIS project and would love to find a career in a similar area. When he's not working or at school, Simon enjoys spending his time outdoors and caring for his plants. 

Carl Martin is a geology and biology major who is interested in paleontological research. He is from Mishawaka Indiana, but loves rockhounding and fossil hunting across the United States. HIs favorite part about being docent here at the Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum is giving long tours to guests and being able to share his passion for the geosciences.