2019 AIPG Honors and Awards Frank R. Ettensohn,
CPG-11978 Lexington, Kentucky Ben H. Parker
Distinguished Service Memorial Medal
Although I have been an educator, geologist, and researcher for nearly 45 years, I am a relative newcomer to AIPG, having been a member for only 11 years. Hence, I am extremely honored —and somewhat amazed — to receive this award, especially considering the contributions of its namesake, Ben H. Parker, and former award recipients. I would be terribly remiss if I did not thank AIPG and the Kentucky Chapter for all that they have given me as a professional geologist. I also own a great debt of gratitude to my family, those who educated me, my University and colleagues, and my many students, all of whom have afforded me opportunities to learn and grow as a geologist. My sincere thanks to all!
As a professional geologist and educa- tor, I would like to take a few moments to discuss one of the most fundamental challenges that we face — communica- tion with the public. It is well-known that the public generally does not under- stand what we do, why we do it, or the significance of what we do. We geolo- gists do well at explaining the technical aspects of our trade, especially among ourselves. However, for those people outside our group, like civil servants, business and other stakeholders, politi- cians, and everyday people without a science background, we are not connect- ing on a level that they can understand. These people are looking for responses to their concerns, not scientific facts. Moreover, they are looking for timely responses based on their values and
beliefs, especially trust and fairness. It is quite possible that many people actu- ally identify geologists as part of the problem when it comes to environmental crises and climate change. I only bring up these issues because it is becoming increasingly important that we learn to communicate more effectively with the public. Personal interactions with the public, student mentoring, sharing personal experiences, among others, are ways that we can interact more produc- tively with the public. To that end, it is important for us to share with the public the interest, excitement and fascination that brought us into this field. It was that interest and fascination — as well as a concern for its continued sustenance — that brought me here today, and as I end, I would like to encourage each of us to convey that same excitement and concern to the public as a normal part of our professional responsibilities.
Again, thank you much!
since the late 1980s. This effort has been most recently focused toward pro- fessional licensing in New York and the Section’s Angelo Tagliacozzo Memorial Scholarship. The ability to help so many students over the decades has been a gratifying experience for many of us in the Section.
My involvement at the National level came suddenly when I answered a call by my friend, and National President, Dan St. Germain to help AIPG establish a position paper on Climate Change. I soon realized that Dan was going to draw me in deeper to the challenge than I initially anticipated. I also did not realize at that time how polarizing that issue can be and the danger to the fabric of the organization if not handled properly. A group of us met the challenge and many good friendships came out of it. One of the biggest surprises out of that experience was to be asked to accept the nomination for National President. I spent some time worrying over the time commitment until my son said that I had to accept because of a dream related to AIPG and personal development that I told the family about many years earlier. It was apparent from the dream that
The American Institute of Professional
Geologists (AIPG) has a history of effective and outstanding service to the profession of geol- ogy. From its beginning in 1963, the Institute has emphasized the role that professional geologists play in this fascinating, changing, and highly complex world in which we live.
In an Institute such as this, there are so many Samuel W. Gowen,
CPG-07284 Clifton Park, New York Martin Van Couvering
Memorial Service to the Institute Award
It is a great honor and surprise to me to be given the Martin Van Couvering Memorial Award; particularly, since it is my perception that I have received much more from AIPG through friendships and personal growth than I have been able to give to AIPG and the profession as a whole. Thanks to you all for this honor and support. I also thank my wife, the rest of my family, and my colleagues at Alpha Geoscience for their support.
It has been my pleasure to support AIPG at the Section level continuously
highly motivated geologists contributing to the profession, the Institute, the public, and the nations in which we live and work that the iden- tification of a select few for particular awards is a monumental task. The continued success of the Honors and Awards Program is dependent on an accessible nominating process and a diligent screening of those nominated. This is done by the Honors and Awards Committee.
Currently, there are six honors bestowed
by the Institute: Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal, Martin Van Couvering Memorial Service to the Institute Award, John T. Galey, Sr., Memorial Public Service Award, Award of Honorary Membership, Outstanding Achievement Award, and Presidential Certificate of Merit.
Descriptions of the awards, past recipients,
and the nomination forms can be found on the AIPG National website or contact the AIPG National Headquarters office.
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