Stephen Bend, professor of petroleum geology at the University of Regina, Canada, has been named the recipient of this year’s AAPG Foundation Professorial Award.
Bend has trained geologists and engineers within industry and academia for more than 35 years. Prior to entering academia, Bend worked as a petroleum geochemist and as a petroleum geologist in South America, Europe, the Middle East, Scandinavia and North America – among other locations.
The honor, determined by the AAPG Foundation’s Professorial Award Committee and led by chair Carol Wicks, is presented annually to a professor for “Excellence in the Teaching of Natural Resources in the Earth Sciences.” The honor comes with a $1,000 prize from the AAPG Foundation.
“I am very honored to receive the 2016 AAPG Foundation Professorial Award, and equally honored to have been nominated and considered worthy,” Bend said. “An award such as this is a humbling experience, knowing that there are many deserving professors who give their very best day in, day out, seeking to give their students the best education possible, simply because those professors care about their students.”
Bend has trained both master’s and doctoral candidates in organic petrology and organic geochemistry, authored and co-authored numerous publications on coal-related and petroleum systems research, and has served on numerous national and international committees. Bend is also the author of the AAPG’s historic “Petroleum Geology” eTextbook (2007).
“I consider myself part of a community of professors who actively care about the education and training of our young aspiring professionals,” he continued. “A community of professors who enjoy what they do, who are able to convey enthusiasm for subjects taught, who conscientiously or unconscientiously inspire young minds and most importantly a community of professors who enjoy teaching.”
AAPG Foundation Trustee John Amoruso presented Bend with his plaque and prize at the Foundation Chairman’s Reception, which took place at AAPG’s 2016 Annual Convention and Exhibition in Calgary, Canada.
The AAPG Foundation, established in 1967, is a permanent nonprofit foundation supporting educational and scientific activities in the field of geology. The Professorial Award honors that intention by presenting this honor to a pillar of geoscience education – university geoscience professors. The Professorial Award is one of two Excellence in Teaching awards offered by the Foundation.