It is a characteristic of professional scientists
that they take great pride in their
achievements. Although recognition of an
individual’s accomplishments may take many
forms, to be honored by one’s peers may be the
most satisfying of all.
The Honors and Awards program of AAPG
provides a means for recognizing outstanding
achievements and contributions by professional
geologists, especially in the area of exploration
for petroleum and energy mineral resources, and
by other professionals who further the goals and
objectives of our science, our profession, and our
Association. The motivation toward scientific
and professional achievement which such
recognition stimulates is much to be desired.
The continued success of this program is
dependent on the identification of those worthy
of recognition. As the Association has grown, so
have the number of awards and the purposes for
which they are given. It is no longer possible for
one small central committee to identify all those
who should be considered. This is particularly
true in the case of awards that are given in
recognition of accomplishments thatmay not be
widely known, or are not restricted to Association
members – such as Grover E. Murray
Distinguished Educator Award and Geosciences
in the Media Award. It is necessary that the
assistance of the Affiliated Societies, Sections,
Divisions, and Associated Societies be enlisted. It
is for this reason that this summary of the
Association’s Honors and Awards has been
prepared, describing the purposes of the awards
as well as the requirements and themanner in
which various organizations and individuals can,
and should, identify and nominate (with
appropriate documentation) those they feel
deserve recognition.
To accomplish these objectives, it may be
advisable for Affiliated Societies, Sections,
Divisions, and Associated Societies to organize,
by committees or other means, a monitoring of
those activities for which awards should be
considered, especially for the Michel T.
Halbouty Outstanding Leadership, Geosciences
in the Media, and Public Service awards. For a
listing of past awardees, please refer to the
Annual Report issue of the Bulletin. Nominations by
individuals will be considered but obviously
those by organizations carry the most weight,
especially when supplemented by individual
support.