AAPG Foundation Names 2025 Military Veterans Scholarship Recipients

An honorably discharged U.S. Marine

An honorably discharged U.S. Marine sergeant, plus two dependents of honored U.S. military veterans – all pursuing careers as professional geoscientists – have been selected as this year’s recipients of the AAPG Foundation’s Deana and Paul Strunk Military Veterans Scholarship program.

The 2025 recipients and their schools are:

• Autumn Williams, sergeant (honorably discharged), U.S. Marines, University of Texas at El Paso.
• Avery Bannwarth, dependent-U.S. Air Force (retired), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.
• Nicholas Van Fleet, dependent-U.S. Army (retired), University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

They become the 59th-61st recipients of the Foundation’s MVSP awards, whose first scholarships were awarded in 2015.

The MVSP is among the AAPG Foundation’s most popular and respected initiatives, which Foundation chair Jim McGhay said they are “proud and excited” to provide.

“We always are honored to say ‘thank you’ to people who have served their country,” McGhay said. “We are proud and very happy to help them achieve their geoscience dreams.”

Through the MVSP, the Foundation annually awards scholarships of $5,000 to both active U.S. military service members (including National Guard and Reserves) or honorably discharged veterans who are entering or re-entering a post-secondary undergraduate program in the field of geoscience fulltime or parttime. (Parttime students receive $2,500.)

The scholarships are awarded to cover the costs of attending a four-year accredited college or university, helping in their transition to a civilian career in the geosciences.

Eligibility also includes dependents (spouses and children) of military personnel who are deceased, disabled, active and veteran.

“These outstanding scholarship recipients and their families already have given so much for their country, and we believe they will continue to serve their communities and societies through their studies and subsequent careers in the geoscience,” McGhay said.

“Returning to the academic world isn’t an easy task, so being able to provide this kind of support is good for them and worthy of the Foundation’s mission of providing for a strong geoscience future.”

McGhay also noted that Paul and Deana Strunk were instrumental in the creation of the Foundation’s MVSP initiative. Paul Strunk, who died in 2018, was a recipient of the Foundation’s L. Austin Weeks Memorial Medal, its highest honor.

“As always, we remember and thank Paul and Deana Strunk for their dedication and inspiration in the creation of this important program,” he said. “And today we thank the many who continue to support the MVSP with their gifts to the Foundation.”

MVSP recipient Autumn Williams in the Picacho Mountains

Pursuing Their Dreams

These annual awards are determined by the Foundation’s MVSP Committee, this year headed by Doug Behseresht, and approved by the Foundation Trustees. Other committee members this year included Clay Westbrook, Earl Wells and Ken Helmold.

When the committee members consider applicants for MVSP recognition, two factors are important.

One is financial need, of course, and this year’s recipients all noted the next step of their education would be difficult if not impossible without the Foundation’s support.

But also considered is the quality of the applicant’s past work as well as their potential for geoscience excellence.

Of that, each of the recipients’ record speaks for itself.

• Autumn Williams is an honorably discharged U.S. Marine sergeant who, during her five-year stint, received two Meritorious Mass awards, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

She is currently a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a degree in environmental science because of her “passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others.

“My ultimate goal in the geosciences is to help developing countries gain reliable access to clean, safe water,” she said. “I aim to work with humanitarian organizations … to improve water infrastructure and sanitation systems, particularly in schools and child-focused environments, where the lack of access to clean water has devasting impacts on health, education and opportunity.”

Williams noted that her military service “taught me how to persevere, stay adaptable and keep calm under stress – skills that are invaluable in geoscientific work.”

Having a varied background in her Marine duties will help, too, she said: “I’ve also worked a wide range of jobs, from aircraft mechanic to scrap crane operator to security … this practical knowledge complements my academic learning and will be a significant asset in geoscience fieldwork, especially in areas that require a balance of scientific knowledge and physical problem-solving.”

• Avery Bannwarth, a dependent of a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, is entering her senior year as a geology major (minor in mathematics) at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Her father, Lt. Col. Chad Bannwarth, retired from the Air Force in 2024 after having served 29 years as a pilot and C-130 Hercules aircraft instructor. He now is a pilot for United Airlines.

Her focus at the university centers on “geothermal energy opportunities across Arkansas, in hopes of harnessing geothermal power across the state.

“This research is especially important to me because I full-heartedly believe in accessing geothermal power for the sustainability of clean energy in Arkansas,” she said.

Her emphasis on geothermal led to an internship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the past two summers, working specifically on hydrogeology and hazardous toxic radioactive waste cleanup.

UA professor Christopher Liner, who oversaw Bannwarth in his geothermal research group, applauded her “strong aptitude for geoscience … She approaches her work with diligence, intellectual curiosity and a remarkable ability to grasp complex concepts.

“Moreover, Avery’s enthusiasm for geoscience is contagious, often inspiring her peers to engage more deeply with the subject matter.”

• Nicholas Van Fleet, a dependent of an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, is entering his senior year as a geoscience major with an emphasis in geophysics, at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

His father, Aaron Van Fleet, served nine years in the U.S. Army and was a sergeant at the time of his discharge.

Nick Van Fleet, a member of his school’s Energy Club, which is the student chapter of AAPG, is also this year’s Jack C. and Catherine I. Threet Named Grant recipient, because the review committee regarded his application as so outstanding – he scored the highest of all applicants.

In applying, he said “within the field of geophysics, I have two main areas of interest relating to seismology.”

Those are:

• First, an interest in earth movement related to natural earthquakes and plate tectonics, “where I hope to use my education to better inform government agencies, businesses and utilities about the hazards that may impact them,” he said.
• Second, an interest in man-made seismic events, ranging from microseismicity – such as is induced by the Enhanced Geothermal System technology being studied at Utah FORGE – to larger events caused by nuclear testing and often monitored using infrasound.

“I have worked as an earthquake analyst, learning to analyze and catalog earthquakes using the real-time data from the University of Utah Seismograph Stations’ seismic network covering Utah and Yellowstone,” he said.

Last year he also was able to participate in a week-long study trip to Taiwan to study its orogenic history, current geothermal research, and how the island has dealt with various hazards (volcanic, landslide and earthquake).

He continues as an intern with the UUSS, where he started in January 2024, as an earthquake analyst and student researcher.

Would you like to support veterans’ pursuit of a career in the geosciences?

For more information about the MVSP, or other Foundation programs, visit: foundation.aapg.org.