2005 MEDALS & AWARDS RIP RAPP Clovis site in northeast Texas is especially Hassan and Don Henry. In 1973, a seminar worthy of recognition. It is a great example on soils, taught by Dave Pheasant, a student ARCHAEOLOGICAL of integrating archaeological, geological, of Pete Birkeland, left me convinced that GEOLOGY AWARD and paleoenvironmental data into a treatise Karl Butzer was right: I needed to know that sheds new light on the peopling of the more about geology. Fortunately, my “need Presented to C. Reid Ferring southern Great Plains. Although he is well geology” evolved into “want geology”, and known for his research on the archaeology, in 1980 I enrolled in the geosciences program geomorphology, Quaternary geology, and at the University of Texas at Dallas. There, an paleoenvironments of the Southern Plains, outstanding faculty revealed for me the fabric one of the more remarkable aspects of of geology and also taught me how to do it. Reidʼs work is his global approach. Reid We are all indebted to the founders of has enthusiastically applied his talents in this division, notably Rip Rapp, for their the Near East, Portugal, Russia, and the essential contribution to the now firmly Republic of Georgia. However, it is his recent established place of archaeological geology geoarchaeological research at the Dmanisi Site within the sciences. The founding of this in the Republic of Georgia, the oldest human division was followed by a second essential occupation outside of Africa, that has gained contribution, and that was the creation of the him well-deserved international recognition. International Journal of Geoarchaeology by Reid has long been an active participant Jack Donahue. Under the tireless work of in the Archaeological Geology Division of the Jack and all subsequent editors, this journal GSA. He has served as Secretary-Treasurer, has matured in partnership with our division Vice-Chair and Chair of the Division Also, and is now a signal venue for communicating C. Reid Ferring Reid has been the major driving force and the results of interdisciplinary research. A University of North Texas supporter of the Claude Albritton Student third essential contribution was realized from Award. We thank him for this effort. the efforts of Rolfe Mandel, who created the The Rip Rapp Award is given bridge between our division and the SAA. An for outstanding contributions to the astute organization man, Rolfe became the Citation by interdisciplinary field of archaeological keeper of both ends of this bridge, and ensured Paul Goldberg and Rolfe D. Mandel geology. It is difficult to think of anyone more its success by creation of the SAA-embedded Geoarchaeology is truly an interdisci- suited and qualified than Reid to receive such partisan group known as the Geoarchaeology plinary endeavor. In order to succeed and to recognition. He is an international scholar Interest Group. make advances in the field, one must be at of the highest caliber known throughout the But essential contributions are not least competent in one discipline and have a Worldʼs geoarchaeological community and like endowments. They are formalized working knowledge of the other. Otherwise, it much of its anthropological and geological commitments to sustain the discipline of is possible to generate potentially significant community for his considerable talents archaeology geology. I am indebted with and important data, but not know how to and contributions. He is a first rate scholar all of you to the efforts of the many people, integrate them. and teacher, and an energetic promoter of who have over these years fulfilled that Reid Ferring is one of those rare the Archaeological Geology Division of commitment. My gratitude extends well persons who excel in both disciplines, as GSA. Many of us should strive to be so beyond that I have for the officers and the doctorates in geology and archaeology accomplished. other volunteers who make our meetings, attest. Way back, in graduate school days, scholarships and field trips happen each year. I am even more grateful to the many colleagues when he was working in the Negev Desert Response by C. Reid Ferring of southern Israel, it was evident that Reid who have not just helped me so many times, had geoarchaeological blood in his veins. He I am extremely grateful to have been but who have also enriched my life by their would unleash a succession of questions about selected this year to receive the Rip Rapp friendship. the types of sediments, the presence or not of Award. I offer my sincere thanks to all of Over the last 30 years, Iʼve had paleosols, and the nature of past climates and you for this extending me this honor, and the opportunity to learn more about environments. In those days, such questions especially to Paul and Rolfe for their citation. archaeological geology as I worked on were rarely posed by archaeologists. Perhaps I am humbled by this award, especially in exciting problems in many places and with it was this early mindset that prompted him light of the outstanding accomplishments many colleagues. For this award, and for the to pursue a doctorate in geology a decade of past recipients. They and many others in collaboration and friendships I have enjoyed after completing his Ph.D. in anthropology. this division include people I am glad to call with you all, I am most grateful. We often wondered why Reid would punish friends, mentors, role models, colleagues, or himself twice. It is clear to us now. He was combinations of these. determined to wear two hats and to wear them My archaeological education and training well. was done formally at Southern Methodist Over the past 25 years, Reid has University, where I had the fortune to study thrived on interdisciplinary research and with Tony Marks, Fred Wendorf, Garth collaborated with individuals in many related Sampson, Jim Sciscenti and Vance Haynes, fields of study. His research at the Aubrey and to study near students including Fekri THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2005 MEDALS & AWARDS GILBERT H. CADY Art has also contributed in a significant and paleobotany, and showed me, by example, way to the education of scientists and non- how to be a good teacher. If I get credit for AWARD scientists on coal-related subjects. He has running a good field trip, it is only because Presented to Arthur D. Cohen taught popular courses at all levels, ranging Bill Spackman taught me how to do it. He is from the oil, gas, and coal industry to large without a doubt the best teacher I have ever introductory geology courses. He has directed had, and I have continued to copy his teaching nine Ph. D. dissertations and twenty-three style to this day. I often find myself saying: Master students. Aspects of Cohenʼs coal “Now how would Bill Spackman do this?” research are interwoven into all of these I would also like to say a few words courses. He is perhaps, best known for his about Gilbert H. Cady, for whom this award is legendary field trips to the swamps of the named. When I was a young professor at SIU, Okefenokee and the Everglades, which are starting up the first coal research program widely agreed to be some of the best ever there, I had a chance to visit briefly with “Doc in their scope, planning, execution, and Cady” (as everyone called him) at the Illinois instructional value. State Geological Survey in Champaign. In summary, Art Cohen has greatly I stayed at his home, and, after some increased our knowledge and understanding discussions about my goals and aspirations, of peat and its relationship to coal formation he asked if I would like to have a set of thin and has worked to disseminate these sections of coal. He thought I might some day ideas throughout the scientific community have some use for them. Little did I know that Arthur D. Cohen worldwide. For these reasons, he is a worthy I would use these sections in my courses for University of South Carolina recipient of the 2005 Gilbert H. Cady Award. the next thirty years. And, each time I do, I explain to my students who he was and make sure that they read one of his papers – a great Response by Arthur D. Cohen legacy. Citation by John C. Crelling I was honored and surprised when I I also want to thank my past and present learned that I was to receive the Gilbert H. students, whose enthusiasm and constant This yearʼs recipient of the Gilbert Cady Award from the Coal Division of the questioning have enriched my life by helping H. Cady Award is Arthur D. Cohen, in Geological Society of America. Looking down me to be observant and forever open to new recognition of his outstanding achievements the list of past recipients, I see the names ideas. Sorry, there is not space here to single- in coal and peat petrology. Art has been of persons whose work I have admired and out any of you. conducting coal research for nearly forty years studied for many years, and I am awed that And last, but not least, I want to thank and is internationally known for his studies my colleagues would place me in this same my wife, Mary Jo, who has made my life of modern environments of coal formation. category. more meaningful in many ways, and my kids, He has authored or edited ten books, over Throughout the years, I have looked upon Ben and Jon, who went on many swamp trips 135 refereed papers, and hundreds of reports my research not merely as an attempt to test with their dad and had to put up with the same and abstracts.