Meteorology Faculty & Their Specialties

Five faculty members at the College of Charleston are meteorologists or atmospheric physicists, and thus teach core courses in the meteorology program (other faculty teach related or support classes). Students may conduct meteorology research with these faculty, or with the National Weather Service.  Students will meet with these faculty for advice and counsel, both on appropriate coursework to reach their goals, and in preparation for life after graduation.  Finally, students may do internships at local weather-based companies or the NWS under the mentorship of these faculty.

Dr. B. Lee Lindner

Meteorology Program Coordinator

Dr. B. Lee Lindner did his graduate work in the astrophysical, planetary and atmospheric sciences department at the University of Colorado.  Dr. Lindner specializes in the meteorology of the Lowcountry (the coastal region from Jacksonville up to Wilmington), often in conjunction with colleagues at the local NWS office. Specifically, Dr. Lindner has published research or is currently working on coastal flooding prediction; sea fog prediction; rain chemistry; synoptic climatology; sea breeze quantification; hurricane surge simulation; and hurricane climatology. Dr. Lindner teaches the introduction to meteorology course, PHYS105, the exercises in weather and climate course, PHYS106, the climate course, PHYS225, and the satellite meteorology course, PHYS457.  More information can be found at on his personal webpage and through this interview at a local weather station.

Dr. Michael L. Larsen

Dr. Michael L. Larsen did his graduate work in the atmospheric sciences department at Michigan Technical University.  Dr. Larsen specializes in studying the small-scale structure, properties, and processes in the Earth's atmosphere. In particular, Dr. Larsen studies clouds, precipitation, radiative transfer, and aerosol particles with a particular focus on the ways in which the particle-like nature of these phenomena are relevant to physical processes (though he frequently branches out to investigate other questions as well). Dr. Larsen's research includes theoretical, computational (both simulation and data-analysis), and experimental (both lab and field work) components. Dr. Larsen teaches the cloud and precipitation physics course, PHYS459, the experimental physics (meteorology instrumentation) course, PHYS370, the thermal physics (physical meteorology) course, PHYS405, the fluid dynamics (dynamical meteorology) course, PHYS415, and the air pollution meteorology course, PHYS210.  More information can be found at his personal webpage and through this faculty interview at CofC.

Prof. Bill Walsh

Prof. Bill Walsh earned his B.S. degree in meteorology from Emerson College, Lyndon State University, and the Mississippi State Operational Forecasting Program.  Prof. Walsh earned his graduate degree from the Air Force Air University Graduate School.  Prof. Walsh has been Chief Meteorologist and Executive Producer at WCSC Live 5 News, Charleston’s number one television station, for almost 40 years.  Prof. Walsh has received the American Meteorological Society certification and Seal of Approval, as well as the National Weather Association Certification and Seal of Approval.  Prof. Walsh is a 3-time EMMY award winner and 6-time TELLY award winner.  Prof. Walsh teaches the Broadcast Meteorology course, PHYS208.

Prof. Frank Alsheimer

Prof. Frank Alsheimer earned his BS in meteorology and agronomy from Cornell University and his graduate degree in Atmospheric Science from SUNY Albany.  Prof. Alsheimer is a 30-year veteran weather forecaster for the National Weather Service, including 20 years as Science Operations Officer in the Charleston SC and Columbia SC NWS offices.  Prof. Alsheimer has published research on subjects including coastal flooding, synoptic climatology, hurricane impacts, tornadoes and other severe weather, and numerical weather prediction.  Prof. Alsheimer teaches the Synoptic Meteorology course, PHYS215, and the Mesoscale Meteorology course, PHYS425.

Dr. Eric Villafranca

Dr. Eric Villafranca earned his degree in Weather Forecasting and Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and then spent many years doing weather forecasting for the Air Force.  Dr. Villafranca did his graduate work in the Information Systems department at Baylor University.  Dr. Villafranca is familiar with a plethora of software systems and apps.  Dr. Villafranca teaches the Nexus of Weather and Business course, PHYS305, and helps manage the minor in Business Applications of Weather and Climate.