Archive for March, 2007

Dr. William L. Fisher to Receive Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal

Thursday, March 29th, 2007

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce Dr. William L. Fisher as the recipient of the 2007 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal. Established in 1999, the award is presented to a geoscientist who has demonstrated a long history of scientific achievement and exceptional service to the geoscience profession.

Dr. Fisher received his B.S. in geology from Southern Illinois University in 1954 and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in geology from the University of Kansas in 1958 and 1961 respectively. He has been the recipient of Honorary Doctorates from Southern Illinois University and the Colorado School of Mines.

Since earning his degrees, Dr. Fisher has contributed greatly to the geoscience community. He is the Leonidas T. Barrow Chair and Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences of the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, he served as the Inaugural Dean and the first Director of the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, a school he was instrumental in founding as well as securing its substantial endowment. He is a former long-time director of the Bureau of Economic Geology, former chairman of the Department of Geological Sciences and former director of the Geology Foundation. He has published more than 340 articles, reports, and books and during his tenure has supervised or co-supervised more than 100 graduate students.

Furthermore, he has held many leadership roles including serving as president of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1985-1986), the American Geological Institute (1990-1991), the American Institute of Professional Geologists (1993), and the Association of American State Geologists (1981-1982). Dr. Fisher has an exceptional record of public service, including as an advisor to many local and federal officials as he is a member of the National Petroleum Council a former member the Commission on Geoscience, Environment, and Resources of the National Research Council, Assistant Secretary of Energy and Minerals in Interior, and was as member of the White House Science Council. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a founding member of the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas.

Apart from the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal, Dr. Fisher has previously received a Presidential Citation form the University of Texas (2002), the Don R. Boyd Medal (2002) from the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, the William H. Twenhofel Medal (2001)from SEPM, the Sidney Powers Medal (1994) from AAPG, the Ben F. Parker Medal (1996)from AIPG, the Ian Campbell Medal (1991) from AGI, and the Hollis D. Hedberg Medal (1991) from the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man.

Dr. Fisher’s constant commitment and dedication to promoting the earth sciences through his work have made him extremely deserving of the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal.

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AGI Announces Earth Science Week 2007 Theme

Monday, March 26th, 2007

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the Earth Science Week 2007 theme: “The Pulse of Earth Science.” Being held October 14-20, Earth Science Week 2007 will promote public and professional awareness of the status of earth science in education and society.

This year marks the tenth annual Earth Science Week. Ann E. Benbow, Ph.D., AGI Director of Education and Outreach, says: “After a decade of promoting awareness of the geosciences, now is the perfect time to ‘take the pulse’ of earth science. We’ll take stock of recent advances and declines in earth science education nationwide, and provide the tools for the professional geoscience community to participate in state-by-state data collection. We will also be highlighting several international research and outreach efforts in the geosciences.”

This year also marks the start of the International Polar Year (IPY) and the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE), of which AGI is a Founding Partner. These two major initiatives will generate geoscience research and awareness integral to earth science’s impact on society, making it central to this year’s Earth Science Week. In addition to IPY and IYPE, Earth Science Week will coincide with the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) and the International Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY).

AGI hosts Earth Science Week annually in cooperation with its sponsors as a service to the public and the geoscience community. Each year, local groups, educators, and interested individuals organize celebratory events. Earth Science Week offers the public opportunities to discover the earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the Earth. Earth Science Week is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, the AAPG Foundation, and other geoscience organizations.

To learn more about this week, ways to become involved, and to link to related international science years, please go to the Earth Science Week website at http://www.earthsciweek.org.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources and interaction with the environment.

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Thomas D. Barrow to receive William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce Thomas D. Barrow as the 2007 recipient of the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented in honor of William B. Heroy, Jr., who advanced the use of geophysics in petroleum exploration and in geologic research worldwide. Recipients of this award are measured against his exemplary career and in recognition of outstanding service to the Institute and to the geoscience profession.

Dr. Barrow’s hard work and influence led to an initial large contribution from John A. Jackson to initiate the William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellowship Endowment in 2003. In 2006, Barrow challenged the AGI Foundation with an additional large gift to raise an additional $200,000 while he personally met the needs to fulfill the endowment in January of 2007.
The Fisher Fellowship will now be able to support one geoscience Congressional Fellow annually in perpetuity. This represents the first congressional fellowship in the physical sciences to be fully endowed.

Barrow received both a B.S. in petroleum engineering and a M.A. in geology from the University of Texas and a Ph.D. in geology from Stanford. In 1951 he started his career with Humble Oil where he later became President and director. Dr. Barrow served as Senior Vice President & Director of Exxon Corporation and also served as Chairman and CEO of Kennecott Corporation, and Vice Chairman of Standard Oil Company (Ohio). He has served in management positions for several organizations and is currently President of Thomson-Barrow Corporation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is one of only three geologists from Texas currently a member of the National Academy.

Barrow’s commitment to AGI through the Foundation and his work to ensure the full endowment of the Fisher Fellowship makes him extremely deserving of this award. The award will be presented on April 1, 2007 at the AGI Past President’s Dinner as part of the AAPG Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources and interaction with the environment.

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AGI Offers Over the Mountain by Michael Collier

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to offer a new publication from Mikaya Press entitled Over the Mountain by Michael Collier, 2006 recipient of AGI’s Outstanding Contribution to Public Understanding of Earth Sciences award.

Over the Mountain (ISBN: 1931414181) uses Collier’s aerial photography and geologic background to focus on the beauty and geologic history of America’s mountain ranges. As one of the country’s premier aerial photographers, his images capture the power and majesty of Earth’s processes.

This stunning publication containing large-format color photographs of the major mountain ranges in the United States, illuminating the geologic processes that created them and supported with concise text, diagrams and captions to explain to the reader the geologic story behind the awe-inspiring pictures.

Renowned in the field of geoscience, Collier has received the American Geological Institute’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Pubic Understanding of Geosciences. His books have won the National Outdoor Book Award, the National Park Service Director’s Award and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Communications Award.

Many of Collier’s powerful photographs are also featured as part of the Earth Science World Image Bank maintained by AGI. This website provides searchable earth science images for use in education or print. Scientific American called the Image Bank one of the top 10 websites for Earth and Space Science in 2004. The Earth Science World Image Bank can be accessed by going to http://www.earthscienceworld.org/images/.

To learn more about Over the Mountain and other publications offered by AGI, please visit http://www.agiweb.org/pubs/index.html.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources and interaction with the environment.

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AGI Offers Bulk Discount on The Geoscience Handbook

Monday, March 12th, 2007

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is offering a special bulk discount on orders of five or more copies of the bestselling publication, The Geoscience Handbook: AGI Data Sheets 4th Edition (ISBN 0-922152-75-6).

Originally priced at $49.95, customers that order five or more copies of The Geoscience Handbook through AGI will receive a 25 percent discount. Standard shipping and handling fees apply. The bulk discount is available through August 31, 2007.

This compilation of geologic information includes references for key geological concepts and short tutorials useful for all professionals and students needing geoscience information quickly in the field, office or lab. The Geoscience Handbook covers diverse subjects ranging from geophysics to geologic map symbols to GPS usage and everything in between. The full-color Geoscience Handbook is now in a larger, easier to read format than earlier editions but remains very portable for use in the field or office. In addition, the laminated cover helps protect the book when used under field conditions.

Ideal for field camp students and other geoscience courses, students can quickly and easily look up items such as mapping symbols while they work in the field on their projects. Handy in every office or lab as a quick reference, The Geoscience Handbook, enables researchers and earth science novices alike to decipher terms and concepts in all areas of the geosciences.

For more information on The Geoscience Handbook and other AGI publications, go to http://www.agiweb.org/pubs/. To take part in this special offer, contact the AGI publications department at pubs@agiweb.org.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources and interaction with the environment.

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AGI Announces P. Patrick Leahy as new Executive Director

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. P. Patrick Leahy as Executive Director.

Dr. Leahy has been with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 1974 and is currently Associate Director for Geology. In his role at the USGS, he gained a broad perspective of the geosciences, ranging from hydrology, geologic mapping, natural hazards, land use, climate change and energy and mineral resource assessment. He was responsible for Federal basic earth science programs, which include worldwide earthquake hazards monitoring and research, geologic mapping of land and seafloor resources, volcano and landslide hazards. He also coordinated all international activities conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. Dr. Leahy also served as USGS Acting Director and the Chair of the Interagency Civil Applications Committee from June 2005 to October 2006.

Dr. Leahy is a native of Troy, New York and has undergraduate and graduate degrees in geology (1968) and geophysics (1970) from Boston College. He received his doctorate in geology (1979) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he specialized in regional ground-water studies and hydraulics.

Dr. Leahy is active in a number of AGI member societies, including as a Fellow in the Geological Society of America, former President of the American Institute of Hydrology, a member of the American Geophysical Union and former President of the U.S. National Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists. He has also been active in other scientific organizations such as Sigma XI, American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the AGI Member Society Council, and the Geological Society of Washington.

AGI President Gail Ashley said that the Executive Committee unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Leahy and that “we are very pleased to have Dr. Leahy lead AGI into the future. Pat brings his broad geologic perspective to AGI gained over the years working with government agencies, state geologists and the private sector. He is a well-respected member of the profession and his strong leadership experience complements the healthy and vigorous state AGI is in today. We have high hopes for his and AGI’s continued success in his new position.”

Dr. Leahy will assume his new position on May 2, 2007. Dr. Leahy and his wife Cathy reside in Reston, Virginia and have 3 grown children. A brief biography and press photo are available at http://www.agiweb.org/news/leahy.html. He succeeds Dr. Marcus E. Milling as Executive Director, who passed away on October 17, 2006.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 scientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in mankind’s use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at http://www.agiweb.org. The Institute also provides a public-outreach web site, http://www.earthscienceworld.org.

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