News Release

Edward C. Roy Jr. to receive Ian Campbell award

Grant and Award Announcement

American Geosciences Institute

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The American Geological Institute (AGI) will present its most prestigious award, the Ian Campbell Medal, to Edward C. Roy Jr., distinguished professor of geology at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and an advocate for Earth science education. The award will be presented during the Geological Society of America's Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony in Seattle, Washington, on Sunday, November 2, 2003.

Roy is the Gertrude and Walter Pyron Distinguished Professor of Geology at Trinity University, where he has held both academic and administrative positions, including Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dean of the Division of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering; and Chair of the Department of Geology; during a career spanning more than 35 years. Throughout this time, Roy has focused his efforts on strengthening the science and engineering disciplines offered at this small liberal arts institution. Under his leadership, he has overseen major campaigns to build or renovate facilities housing the chemistry, engineering, and geology departments. Roy began his career as a micropaleontolgist for Shell Oil Company. He earned a B.S. degree in geology, and his Ph.D. in geology from The Ohio State University.

"Ed has been an educator of people at many levels for his entire career, and he continues to lead by example in his efforts to advance science education in Texas and the nation," says his citationist, Scott W. Tinker, Director of the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and one of Roy's former students. With boundless enthusiasm and dedication, Roy has contributed significant time and energy to teaching and mentoring young people and assisting community and professional organizations. He has served as a member of numerous committees of prominent science organizations at the local, state, and national levels, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Research Council, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

In 2002, Roy was appointed by the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency to chair the Texas Earth Science Task Force, which is assessing Earth science as a core high-school science course. Roy served as President of AGI in 1997 and as Secretary from 1988-1990. He is a Trustee and the former Secretary of the AGI Foundation. He was also President of the South Texas Geological Society from 1977-1978 and President of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies from 1978-1979. He served twice as General Chairman of the annual meeting of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), first in 1984 and again in 1999.

On Tuesday, November 4, 2003, during the AGI Reception and Awards Ceremony in the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers in Seattle, Washington, Roy will receive the Institute's 2003 William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service. The Heroy Award is presented annually to a geoscientist in recognition of outstanding service to the Institute and to the geoscience profession. Roy is also the recipient of other honors and awards, including Trinity University's Outstanding Professor Award in 1967 and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies' Outstanding Educator Award in 1991. The Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies recognized Roy with the A.I. Levorsen Award in 1981 for the best scientific paper, and he received the AAPG Distinguished Service Award in 1990. Roy is an Honorary Member of the South Texas Geological Society, the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell is awarded annually to an individual in recognition of singular performance in and contribution to the profession of geology. Campbell, a geologist, educator, administrator, and public servant, was known for his candor and integrity. His service to the profession touched virtually every facet of the geosciences. Campbell was President of the Institute in 1961.

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The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 41 scientific and professional associations that represent more than 100,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other Earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at http://www.agiweb.org. The Institute also provides a public-outreach web site, http://www.earthscienceworld.org.


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