2017 HONORS AND AWARDS
Florida Department of Environmental Protection leadership, Jon initiated and led the Hydrogeology Section of the FGS, which included a ~20% survey budget increase, opening the door for expanded karst, aquifer and hydrogeochemistry research. In 2009, Jon became the 6th State Geologist of Florida and FGS Director, thanks in part to the mentor- ship of Dr. Thomas M. Scott (CPG-4950) and former Florida State Geologist, Dr. Walter Schmidt (CPG-6029).
During Jon’s continuing tenure at the Survey, he co-produced an award-win- ning film, Florida’s Geology Unearthed, published more than 40 scientific papers and gave over 80 invited presentations, including many keynote lectures. The more notable works of Jon and his research teams involve aquifer vulner- ability modeling, geologic framework characterization and water-rock geo- chemical interactions. Jon was twice recognized for sustained exemplary per- formance and has participated in scores of sinkhole-related interviews, including appearances on Fox News, The Weather Channel, CBS Sunday Morning and German television. Dr. Arthur is also a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.
Aside from his career in public service, Jon’s dedication to the profession is evi- dent from his role as peer-reviewer for multiple scientific journals, eight years on the Florida Board of Professional Geologists, and six years with the Florida Association of Professional Geologists. As FAPG president from 2003-2006, his work with AIPG leadership led to an FAPG-AIPG merger that helped unite and strengthen the presence of Florida geoscience professionals, including real- izing changes to the Florida Water Resources Act to benefit the public and the profession. He also initiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southeastern Geological Society to boost geoscience education. Jon served five years on the Executive Committee of the Association of American State Geologists and during his term as presi- dent in FY2014-15, his leadership team focused on improving geoscience commu- nication and state geological survey sus- tainability. As AASG president, he also gave congressional testimony in support of the USGS Geologic and Geophysical Data Preservation Program, and wrote letters to House and Senate committees supporting this program and the 3D Elevation Program. His collaborative leadership also brought about changes to the AASG constitution to establish an Emeritus membership category that
www.aipg.org
includes all retired state geologists, and improve AASG leadership continuity.
Jon has served on numerous advi- sory committees related to hydrogeology, including two National Academy of Sciences committees. He has just returned from his second trip to China as an invited instructor at the UNESCO- affiliated International Research Center on Karst, and is honored to begin service next year on the Executive Committee of the American Geosciences Institute.
Response
I am both humbled and honored to be recipient of the 2017 John T Galey, Sr. Memorial Public Service Award. It is with deepest sincerity that I thank the American Institute of Professional Geologists, and my nominators, as this recognition is paramount among the honors of my career. Public service is a calling and something that comes naturally to a person, whether through one’s career or how a person devotes time and energy outside of their “day job”, or both. At some point along our career path, public service can quietly become a default mindset, and there is plenty to be done in support of our sci- ence, profession, and education of those outside our geoscience-sphere. In my experience, this mindset did not happen in a vacuum, but occurred through the patience and support of family, friends, mentors, co-workers, and even “bosses” - all too many to name here.
Like so many of you, geology was “in my bones” since early childhood. Growing up in Daytona Beach, my family and I went to “rock swaps” across Florida. A high school marine science teacher encouraged me to write a report on ocean trenches (a.k.a. sub- duction zones). Upon selecting a col- lege, my game was stepped up by the late Dr. George DeVore, who handed me a shrink-wrapped copy of Earth by Press and Siever. Despite my 4th grade declaration to be a geologist, that “first contact” with a geology professor, and that book reeled me in. This early sup- port system was an important part of my journey. As my academic life evolved alongside my career, I was fortunate to have had outstanding mentors.
My passion for service gelled when I became president of the Florida Association of Professional Geologists in 2003. Through the FAPG leadership team, we accomplished great things: leg- islation, communication, planning, and education. Perhaps most significantly, thanks to collaboration with the vener-
able Bill Siok, and then AIPG presi- dent, Larry Weber, FAPG and AIPG joined forces. The Florida Section of AIPG remains strong under the leader- ship of Ann Murray, Helen Madeksho- Hickman, and others.
If working with FAPG gelled my pas- sion, service to AASG crystalized it. In receiving this award, I am honored to be among nine other state geologists who are also recipients, especially those from whom I have learned immensely regarding leadership, diplomacy and vision: Vicki Cowart, John Price, John Parrish, Lee Allison, and Scott Tinker.
John T Galley, Sr recognized the importance of geoscience testimony, and whether speaking with congressional members and staff or elected officials at the state or local level, succinctly communicating geoscience requires the ability to distill complex and often uncer- tain information into something policy makers can work with, all the while not making anyone’s eyes glaze over. Believe me, my first experience with a newspaper reporter was a harsh les- son learned: I talked too much and the printed sound bite was: “Jon Arthur… says nobody knows.”
I never thought I would be writing a speech like this or for this purpose.
As with many others, I do what I do out of an inner drive to contribute to stewardship of the geosciences. I must reiter- ate I would not be standing here if not for the support of so many, and also because of encouraging words along the way from those I hold in high regard. - Jonathan Arthur
Early in my career, for example, the late Dr. Phillip E. LaMoreaux, Sr., told me, “Someday you will make a great state geologist”, which became some- thing I aspired to be. I encourage you all to do two things, if you haven’t already: be an instrumental part of the support system for the next generation of geo- scientists, and become geo-evangelists before our local, state and national leaders. We have a great message to spread, and it’s a message that must be sustained! Thank you.
Oct.Nov.Dec 2017 • TPG 19
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