Tim Loftus named first Endowed Chair in Water Conservation

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
Office of Media Relations
October 19, 2015

Tim Loftus has joined The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment as the first Meadows Endowed Chair in Water Conservation.

Loftus is also a professor of practice in the Department of Geography at Texas State University.

“My goal is to help explore, research, and otherwise help solve Texas water challenges,” Loftus said. “There is pretty strong potential, with the population growth expected, that our demand for water will outgrow our supplies.”

This position was created in 2012, thanks to a generous contribution from The Meadows Foundation and matching Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP) funds, to contribute to learning and research on water conservation for the university and The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Loftus’ goal is to develop an externally funded program to help solve Texas water challenges.

Loftus’ passion for water, experience, and unique combination of skills in watershed planning, water supply planning, and implementing strategies made him a perfect fit for this position.

Loftus will be teaching a water resource planning course in the spring designed for graduate and upper level undergraduate students. Loftus said he hopes to find a way to integrate his work at The Meadows Center with the geography department, making sure it reflects their mission as well.

“I am a conservationist at heart, and I am ready to help Texas State become more of a known entity and expected player at the table of water resource issues,” Loftus said.

Loftus previously worked at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, spent three years at Heidelberg College as director of the Water Quality Laboratory, and worked at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he conducted his post doctorial research.

“We must become more efficient in our use of water here in Texas if the next generation is to enjoy the quality of life we have known,” Executive Director Andy Sansom said. “Adding Dr. Loftus to our team will ensure that Texas State University remains in the lead in addressing this most serious crisis.”

About The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is dedicated to environmental research, stewardship, education and service. The center is led by renowned conservationist Andy Sansom, Ph.D.