2002 Medals and Awards

GSA organizations in New Hampshire; most Without volunteers GSA is an anachro- recently the National Alliance for the nism. Perhaps the most important single DISTINGUISHED Mentally Ill. Sam has served on no benefits a scientific and professional or- SERVICE AWARD fewer than 12 GSA committees, be- ganization provides to its members is coming chair of the majority of them. the opportunity to learn how to serve Presented to Samuel S. Adams, He has served on Council, and for one selflessly in pursuit of a common vi- year was the council member at large sion. This exposure and training is criti- David E. Dunn, on the Executive Committee. There can cal to GSA achieving its mission and to and John W. Geissman be very few GSA members who have earth scientists learning how to define contributed so much of themselves to and achieve theirs. The GSA staff is our Society, and I am delighted that there as much to facilitate members’ Sam has been chosen to receive one of growth into service and volunteerism as this year’s Distinguished Service it is to provide professional services to Awards. us. Membership is first a contract for services, but more deeply a covenant rooted in shared visions and opportuni- Response by Samuel S. Adams ties for shared experiences. With the hope of contributing in some way to the Thank you for your kind intro- strength of this covenant I gratefully ac- duction. I am flattered and appreciative cept this honor that this organization would choose to honor me in this manner. Lord knows, there are numerous members among you here today who have volunteered Samuel S. Adams for GSA through the years in a variety of ways and on a variety of occasions. Citation by Anthony Naldrett It is precisely for that reason that I pre- fer to think of this award as a recogni- Samuel S. Adams, Sam to his tion of GSA volunteerism, especially friends, has had and continues to have a the many among us who have pitched long and distinguished career within the in as the opportunities have occurred. earth sciences. His roots are set firmly Since my name begins with “A” it in New England, with degrees from seems I got chosen for some of the Dartmouth and Harvard, and from there “pomp and circumstance”. he entered the mining industry, first working in industrial minerals, and then In his thought-provoking David E. Dunn in metal mining for 10 years with the book, Bowling Alone; The Collapse and former Anaconda Company. After an- Revival of American Community, other 10 years as a consultant, he joined Robert Putnam identified a disturbing Citation by the Colorado School of Mines, where trend that started in the mid 1960’s in David Dunn’s service to the he headed the Department of our country and which relates to volun- society has been truly exceptional. and Geological Engineering, before re- teerism in GSA. Simply put, even Until a year ago, David was treasurer, turning to the private sector. Sam has though membership, and in some cases an office he held with distinction for been president of the Society of philanthropic giving, may have risen nine years. During this time, he served Economic Geologists and continues to for an organization, attendance at meet- with three executive directors and pro- play a major role in that organization. ings and voluntary service for most are vided much needed financial continuity He has served as president of the decidedly down. We are tending to in- and sage advice at the leadership level. American Geological Institute and is vest less of our time and ourselves in As part of his responsibilities he currently editor in chief of Geotimes. organizations and activities, preferring chaired the Budget Committee and His services in earth sciences have been a more limited interpretation of “paying served on the Audit, Investments, recognized by many awards, too many our dues” than we used to. Increasingly Global Review, and Executive to mention today. He has also volun- our activities are more solitary. What Committees. As a councilor over that teered his time in support of numerous does this mean for GSA?

The Geological Society of America 2002 Medals and Awards

time, he played an active and influential Response by John W. Geissman role in shaping the society, mentoring Greetings. new council members, and providing a much needed corporate memory of past I remember an experience, councils. David’s most important con- decades ago, in my parents bedroom, tributions are mostly invisible to the watching my mom pack a suitcase for membership, but his impact on the soci- my dad, for one of many professional ety as a whole has been significant. society-related trips. And I of course David also has a long history of contri- asked “why”? She responded, “that’s butions to GSA, and he has been a what he does”; later (because I asked Fellow since 1962. David was a found- why again?) he responded with some- ing member and a chair of the Structure John W. Geissman thing like “professional societies are the and Division, GSA’s largest essence of science and engineering, division. David’s more than 20 years of Citation by Sharon Mosher without them and people actively par- service include being General Chair of ticipating in them, we’d be lost.” At the the 1990 Annual Meeting, being on the John Geissman has been a time, it sort of whizzed over my head. Geology Editorial Board, and serving dedicated GSA volunteer who over the Since, illumination has allowed me to on the Short Course and Nominations years has contributed to the society in understand his remark (and question Committees and on the Committee on many capacities. John served as editor why a spouse should pack a suitcase for Committees. David now serves as a of GSA Bulletin from 1994 to 2000 another). member of the GSA Foundation Board where he made numerous contributions I thank the many members at of Trustees and brings his wide experi- to GSA publications in addition to ful- GSA Headquarters, notably Nancy ence with GSA’s finances to the filling the duties and responsibilities of Carlson, Larry Bowlds , Faith Rogers, Investment Committee. He is extremely editor. He was the driving force behind Melissa Cummiskey, and Jon Olsen. deserving of GSA’s Distinguished having GSA’s Data Repository avail- Very importantly, my family, graduate Service Award. able electronically, instituting a reason- able page charge policy, and establish- and undergraduate students, editorial ing the staggering of Science Editor assistants Cathy Ratcliff and then Mary Simmons, and UNM colleagues suf- Response by David E. Dunn terms—hence, his extra two years of service in this time-consuming en- fered through occasional rantings and Mr. President, fellow hon- deavor. John also has co-chaired two, ravings while Bulletin Editor, and TPC orees, friends and colleagues, ladies combined Rocky Mountain–South- for this meeting. To Lynn Walter and and gentlemen: During the 16 years I Central GSA section meetings in Allan Glazner; thanks for the opportu- was affiliated with GSA Council in one Albuquerque, one in 1991 and one in nity to work with you. Art Sylvester’s capacity or another, I was privileged to 2001. John’s contributions continue to 1987 phone call, saying “say, I just no- serve under, and learn from, Presidents this very week. He is the Technical ticed your mug in Eos, for an Editor’s Reds Wolman, Brian Skinner, Gary Program Chair for the Denver 2002 Citation; I need you on the Bulletin AE Ernst, , Bert Bally, E-an Annual Meeting and was responsible Board, and you have no choice” was Zen, Bob Hatcher, Bill Dickenson, for scheduling and overseeing the entire the beginning. Dave Stephenson, Eldridge Moores, technical program. This position is key To relatively young (whatever George Thompson, Vic Baker, Gail to the meeting’s success and is the most that means) members of GSA, your Ashley, Mary Lou Zoback, Sharon important and time-consuming of all time devoted to a professional society Mosher, and Tony Naldrett. What an in- jobs related to the meeting. John will only enhances your appreciation of the credible array of talent and dedication! continue to serve on the Annual wonderful science, and the way in I am grateful for the learning experi- Program Committee to help advise the which it is done, of which you are an ence and for the opportunity to have next Technical Program Chair. We hope integral part. To Frank Rhodes, thanks served. It has been a labor of love that and expect that his contributions and for the best class of my life, 32 years has greatly enriched my professional dedication to the society will continue ago, in the nat sci building, at dear old life. Thank you. throughout his career. John has dedi- Michigan. cated a tremendous amount of time and energy to GSA and is very deserving of the Distinguished Service Award.

The Geological Society of America 2002 Medals and Awards

And to all of you, I hope you find this meeting as stimulating and re- warding as I have found my experi- ences working with the many dedicated GSA professional staff and volunteers. Thanks.

The Geological Society of America