Tanner Johnson named outstanding science graduate

Tanner Johnson of Hayward has been named the outstanding senior graduate of the University of Arizona-Tucson’s College of Geosciences in May, 2024.

Tanner, a Hayward High School Class of 2020 alumnus and the son of Wendie (Palicki) and Scott Johnson, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona-Tucson on May 10.

This fall he will attend the University of Texas-Austin to pursue his master’s degree in geosciences at the Jackson School of Geosciences. He will continue to produce research on wildfires and hydraulic hazards.

This summer, Tanner has accepted an internship with WSP as a permitting geology intern in Houston, Texas. WSP is a globally-recognized professional services firm employing approximately 68,000 people.

During an interview, Tanner said “I originally came into college thinking I wanted to go into the medical field. Something just didn’t feel right, so I started to think back on what I truly was passionate about.

“As a child, I remember my mom telling me stories about how I was fascinated by dinosaurs, planets, space, and rocks. I would come home from school with the biggest smile on my face and all kinds of rocks in my pockets to show my mom. I watched videos of tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanos and told my mom repeatedly that I wanted to become a geologist to learn more about these natural hazards. Then, throughout my experiences in undergrad, I have gained an appreciation and interest in geomorphology and surface hazards.”