2015 AIPG HONORS AND AWARDS Response
Thank you for the honor and special recognition of the Martin Van Couvering Memorial Award. I look over the list of the previous recipients of this award with great admiration for their accom- plishments, and am proud to be joined to this group.
I see AIPG as unique - an organization for geologists of many disciplines which nurtures professionalism, ethics and honesty in interactions and contracting, mentoring of others, and dedication to informing the general public and legis- lators about important geologic issues. I have dedicated much of my time to the California Section and to the AIPG national organization and it is through AIPG that I have met many life-long friends, professional collaborators and colleagues and have made work contacts.
I was accepted into AIPG in 1990 as Certified Professional Geologist No. 7760. I have always enjoyed writing, and in the early 1990s, while reading a book which was edited by Stephen M. Testa, I contacted him to discuss some of the book’s articles. Stephen, a long- time AIPG member, leads by example; shortly thereafter, in 1994, he asked me to be the AIPG California Section trea- surer. I served in that position for two years. Over the past 22 years, Stephen and I have written numerous articles and several books together. In October 1996, I attended my first AIPG National Meeting in Columbus, Ohio. At this meeting I was exposed to a high-level of professionalism as well as the broad diversity of the members.
From 1996 to the present, I have been either the vice president or president for the California Section, trading leader- ship positions with my friend, David Sadoff. In 2000, I served on the National Advisory Board, and from 2005 to 2010, on the National Screening Committee, during which time I met with more outstanding and generous AIPG mem- bers. In 2010, I founded the University of California Davis Student Section of AIPG with Professor Robert Zierenberg, Student Advisor. Over the past 5 years, we have kept up a monthly meeting schedule from October to May of each year including one or two field trips in each academic year. All of these activi- ties have given me the opportunity to benefit from working with terrific AIPG colleagues.
In 2012, I served as AIPG Vice President, working with then-AIPG President Ron Wallace and many other
capable AIPG leaders and staff. During this time, as we sought to attract mem- bers and were evaluating the AIPG pro- gram, I had an opportunity to evaluate dozens of other professional societies. We discovered that those organizations which were the most successful adhered to the “attract-retain-engage” philoso- phy of encouraging students, providing mentoring and opportunities to young professionals, awarding active members generously and recognizing talent and effort, and providing incentive for all members to be professionally active. We seek to mentor, provide opportunities, awards, and recognition. AIPG demon- strates leadership in the promotion of the profession of geology.
Thank you to all at AIPG and a special thank you to my wife, Olivia and two sons, Ross and Elliott for moral support. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the AIPG success story. I am fully aware of the new and higher level of expecta- tions of those so honored. Thank you so much for the honor of the Martin Van Couvering Memorial Award.
He also holds an M.S. degree in geochem- istry from Penn State University.
Throughout his career he has been fortunate to be involved with state- of –the –Art technologies and several major environmental issues. From major Superfund sites to soil washing, biore- mediation and cold water environments as well as developing artificial recharge processes, he sought challenging proj- ects.
Dennis has been involved with AIPG since his early days as a member. He began volunteering with visiting Washington D.C. got involved with his Section, including time as president, edi- tor, and the conducting of professional seminars, which he continues through today. For example he developed a regional conference for nearby AIPG Sections on geothermal technology in April, 2014. He served on several nation- al executive committees including officer positions leading to being President in 2000.
Dennis has always been known for his mentoring of students (i.e. geology club sponsor at Temple University), including his establishment of AIPG national undergraduate scholarships in 2000 when he was president of AIPG. He is known for his sense of humor, respectful treatment of associates and sensitivity and support he has shown others. Dennis is particularly thankful for the support of his spouse, Mary Lou over the past 40 years.
Response
Dennis Pennington, CPG-4401 2015 Recipient of the AIPG Honorary Membership
Dennis Pennington has been fascinat- ed with geology since his public school days. Always investigating, he sought and continues to search for new informa- tion and learning experiences. Dennis believes in service to the geological sci- ences as well as mentoring newcomers to the geological profession. A strong pro- ponent of volunteerism, he has always tried to advance the profession.
He received his B.A. degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam where he met his future bride.
Thank you very much to the American Institute of Professional Geologists for selecting me for the Award of Honorary Membership. It has been a pleasure to work with the staff of AIPG and the many members of Executive Committees especially as AIPG President in 2000. I have always felt supported and been met with an enthusiastic, can-do attitude by AIPG Staff. The Institute is like a family to me and I continually look forward to seeing everyone at meetings where I can renew friendships.
I first joined AIPG because I felt senior professionals need to communicate the value of geological sciences to society and also to mentor rising professionals. Students are very important to me and I always enjoy working with them and helping them adjust to market changes. I feel it is my duty to support students and help them network to succeed in this changing world. For this reason, I spon-
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