DECEMBER 4, 2003 -- Michigan Technological University's Seaman Mineral Museum will be the recipient of a 12,000-specimen mineral collection donated by Paul and Janet Clifford.

The Cleveland couple have chosen the museum to inherit their treasure. In addition, they are donating a portion of their estate to an acquisition fund in their name, which will be used to upgrade the Seaman collection. Through their planned gift, the Cliffords have become members of the university's McNair Society.

The couple have been afflicted with what they call "mineral-collecting-itis" since about 1970. The Cliffords each have geology degrees and have traveled throughout North America in pursuit of mineral specimens.

Now retired, Paul Clifford is the former curator of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's gem and mineral collection, which he expanded fourfold from 1975 to 2000. He was assisted by his wife, whose favorite duty was organizing and judging an ugly rock contest in Cincinnati. In the course of their duties, the Cliffords accumulated their own gem and mineral collection.

"Our collection covers the whole spectrum of sizes and includes anything from just-pretty, to geologically or morphologically interesting, to representative suites from areas we have visited," Janet Clifford said. "In other words, we lack self-discipline."

The Cliffords decided to bequeath their collection to the Seaman Museum in part because of their long-standing personal and professional relationships with its director of development, Stanley J. Dyl II, as well as curator George Robinson and adjunct curator John Jaszczak. "Plus, they have a specialized museum that is staffed by an ace crew, and it is located in a place where we have enjoyed vacationing and collecting," Janet Clifford said. "Their plan to have the museum integrated into the Keweenaw National Historical Park makes the idea even more appealing."

"We are grateful for this gift," says Dyl. "It's a wonderful addition to an already impressive collection. We expect these kinds of gifts from alumni. Paul and Janet Clifford are friends, not alumni, and this kind of support is a testament to the quality and wide-ranging attractiveness of our programs."

The museum is located on the fifth floor of MTU's Energy Resource Center. Admission is free. Winter hours for the museum and its gift shop are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Plans are for the Seaman Museum to relocate atop Quincy Hill in Hancock as part of the National Historical Park. The site adjoins the landmark Quincy Mine.

For more information on this story contact:
Email: Marcia Goodrich
Phone: 906/487-2343