Dr. Richard Alley (Ph.D., Geology, University of Wisconsin-Madison) serves as the Evan Pugh University Professor of Geosciences at Penn State-one of the university's highest honors. He is widely recognized as one of the world's leading experts on Earth's great ice sheets and what they can teach us about our planet's past and future.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Alley has made scientific discoveries that have shaped modern understanding of climate and natural change. His work has taken him to some of the most remote and challenging places on Earth, including four expeditions to Antarctica and nine to Greenland, along with research trips to Alaska and other regions. He has authored or coauthored more than 300 peer reviewed scientific papers and has been elected to both the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society-two of the highest honors a scientist can receive.

Dr. Alley has also been recognized for his dedication to public service and education. He served as a contributor to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. He has provided requested scientific advice to government leaders from both major political parties, including a U.S. Vice President, Presidential Science Advisors, and members of Congress.

Beyond the laboratory and field, Dr. Alley is known for his ability to make science accessible and engaging for all audiences. He hosted the PBS television series Earth: The Operators' Manual and authored its companion book. His earlier book, The Two-Mile Time Machine, which explains what ice cores reveal about Earth's climate history, was named Phi Beta Kappa's Science Book of the Year.

Despite his global reputation, Dr. Alley remains grounded and approachable. He often highlights the importance of curiosity, teamwork, and stewardship-values that align closely with the mission of Scouting. He is happily married, the proud parent of two grown daughters, and shares his home with two cats, a bicycle, and a well-used pair of soccer cleats.