09/29/2024
Our valedictorian, Paul Spudich - incredible alumni recognition of our classmate.
Our third distinguished alumnus is the late Mr. Paul Spudich, a member of West Mifflin North's Class of 1968.
After graduating as valedictorian, Mr. Spudich went on to earn his bachelor's degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon, and then his master's and Ph.D. from UC San Diego in earth sciences, with a focus on seismology.
Mr. Spudich became an eminent seismologist, recognized internationally for his work in earthquake source physics and ground motion prediction. During his more than 35-year career at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Mr. Spudich conducted numerous field research projects, authored hundreds of scholarly articles and technical presentations, mentored many doctoral students, and consulted with research scientists and academics around the world.
Among his many professional honors and awards, Mr. Spudich was named a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and received a Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award in 2013 and the Distinguished Service Award — the highest honor bestowed by the department — in 2016. His final published paper was presented at an international meeting in Slovakia just weeks before his death.
Mr. Spudich is survived by his widow and long-term companion, Luz Triana-Echeverria, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and his sister, Suzanne Steidl, along with his large extended family and his many friends and colleagues.
