CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA–President of the Geological Society of America George H. Davis delivered a spectacular and inspiring address early this afternoon. As his title says, he emphasized the joys and privileges of being geologists along with the civic and scientific duties to make a difference. He discussed why we became geologists in the first place, even using images of his Structural Geology homework and Independent Study from his Wooster undergraduate days! I especially appreciated his ideas about how we can better serve the public through organized, rapid responses to geological events.
We also watched GSA Past President John W. Geissman present the President’s Medal to the author and environmental activist Bill McKibben (below). It was an apt follow-up to the Presidential Address — a real example of a life lived in service of public education and activism.
I like this concept. I never thought much about the civic responsibilities of geologists. Must be the Wooster influence, persisting over the decades!