Remembering Professor David N. Collins: Scientist, Mentor, Friend, and Inspiration

Remembering Professor David N. Collins: Scientist, Mentor, Friend, and Inspiration

Professor Dr. David Collins —affectionately known as DNC or Dave—was more than just a leading glaciologist. He was a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. When he passed away in 2016 during a geography field trip, the world lost a brilliant scientist. Still, his legacy lives on through the Alpine Glacier Project (AGP) and the countless students he guided throughout his career.

A Journey into Glaciology

Dave's life was defined by his passion for understanding the natural world, especially the glaciers of the Alps. Born in 1949, he faced many personal challenges growing up, but he found his true calling in geography. After studying atCambridge University, he became a world-renowned expert in glaciology, focusing his research on the Findelen and Gorner glaciers in Zermatt.

In 1974, Dave had the foresight to establish the Alpine Glacier Project, a groundbreaking initiative to collect long-term data on glacial meltwater. But AGP is more than just research—it was about creating life-changing experiences for the students who joined him in the field, inspiring them to become the best versions of themselves.

AGP: More Than Just Science

Imagine spending weeks in the breathtaking Alps, waking up early to set up weather stations, collecting water samples, and analysing data—all while building lifelong friendships. That's what it was like to study with DNC. He knew that fieldwork was the most effective way to learn—not just about glaciers, but about yourself and the world around you.

David had a remarkable ability to connect with his students. He understood their struggles because he had faced many of the same challenges himself. He didn't just teach you how to think critically about science—he taught you how to confront life's challenges with resilience and determination.

One of the most extraordinary aspects of AGP is how it brings people together. Whether you were an undergraduate, a master's student, or a PhD candidate, fieldwork with Dave was a shared experience that forged bonds long after leaving the mountains.

An Inspiration to All

Dave's students went on to achieve incredible things. Some became geography professors, river scientists, or school teachers. Others succeeded in finance, the commercial world, and even music. But no matter where they ended up, they all carried the lessons they learned from Dave.

David wasn't just a professor—he genuinely cared about your future. He was there to offer advice, support, and encouragement when you needed it most. For many students, he was the person who made them believe in themselves and their potential.

'What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.'

Pericles

Continuing the Legacy

Dave's sudden passing was a profound loss, but his work thrives. Today, fifty years after the project began, students from universities like Salford and Birmingham continue to collect data from the glaciers he studied. By joining the AGP, you're not just studying geography—you're becoming part of a legacy that stretches back to one of our field's most incredible mentors.

If Dave taught us one thing, it's that the best learning happens when you're out in the world, experiencing it firsthand. The AGP is more than an academic research program—it's an adventure, a challenge, and an opportunity to make lifelong friends while contributing to environmental science.

So, if you're considering joining the project, know that you'll follow in the footsteps of a man who was more than just a scientist. Professor David N. Collins was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration. As you embark on this journey, you'll continue the work of someone who believes deeply in the power of young minds to change the world.

Thank you, Dave. You are always on our minds, and you would be proud to know that your legacy continues to inspire us all.