2006
AGI Medal
in Memory of Ian Campbell
Robert D. Hatcher Jr.
University of Tennessee
[ view response ]
[ Back to 2006 Medals ] |
Presented to Robert D. Hatcher Jr.
Citation by Donald C. Haney
The AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell is awarded in recognition of singular performance in and contributions to the profession of geology. Campbell was a geologist, educator, administrator, and public servant and was known for candor and integrity. The Campbell Medal is the most distinguished American Geological Institute award.
Robert D. Hatcher Jr. — husband, father, distinguished scientist, internationally recognized researcher, dedicated teacher and community servant — has all the attributes of Ian Campbell, for whom the award was established. Bob began his post-secondary education at Vanderbilt University, where he earned the B.A. and M.S. degrees. He completed the Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, in 1965.
Bob began his professional career in 1965 as a petroleum geologist with Humble Oil and Refining Company in Louisiana, in the Southeastern Stratigraphic-Paleontologic Division. From 1966 to 1978, he was a professor in geology at Clemson University, and from there he went to Florida State University until 1980. Next he accepted a position as professor of geology at the University of South Carolina, where he stayed until 1986. In 1986, his alma mater beckoned, and he went to the University of Tennessee as a distinguished scientist and professor of geology, and he remains there today.
While at the University of Tennessee, Bob has simultaneously served as distinguished scientist at the University/Oak Ridge national Laboratory. He was also project director and chief scientist of the Appalachian Ultra-deep Core Hole Project, which involved some 80 scientists and 48 research institutions, and he was editor (with William Thomas) of the GSA Bulletin for 7 years. Bob served as president of many societies and professional organizations, including GSA and the AGI. He published over 200 referred papers, books, and reports, and he has presented over 300 papers at professional meetings. He has been a very busy person; his many other accomplishments are well documented.
Bob served on scores of national and international committees, boards, and foundations of the Geological Society of America, National Academy of Sciences, the American Geological Institute, International Geological Correlation Program–Caledonide Orogen Project 27, plus he received many national and international honors and awards.
Although he is no doubt very proud of his research and service accomplishments, I think Bob got the most gratification from teaching and directing student research. His dedication to field geology is well known, and if you were a student of his, there was always a strong element of field work in your research. Also, if you had the staying power, you would succeed, and you would have received a wonderful education. His dedication and loyalty to scores of successful undergraduate and graduate students will be his legacy.
Ian Campbell was this type of person: totally dedicated to profession, community, family, and friends. Robert D. Hatcher’s illustrious career manifests itself in all these areas, and he truly represents the total essence of the Campbell Medal.
|
 2006 AGI Medal in honor of Ian Campbell - Response by Robert Dean Hatcher Jr.
Some 14 years ago, I had the privilege of standing on a similar stage as GSA Vice President to be the citationist for Don Haney, the 1992 Ian Campbell medalist. At that time, and for all time since, I did not envision myself as a potential recipient of this medal, having known most of the Campbell Medal recipients for the past 15 years: all are people I hold in highest esteem because of the highest level of their scientific and professional achievements. For that reason, and many others, it is very humbling to be named the 2006 recipient of the Ian Campbell Medal and to join the list of illustrious recipients. My most sincere thanks to Charles Gardner, who nominated me, those who wrote supporting letters, the AGI Ian Campbell Medal Committee that selects the recipients, my friend Don Haney for supporting me and being my citationist, and the American Geological Institute. Last year’s recipient, Sam Adams, preceded me as AGI President, and I told him following his award that I could not think of a more worthy recipient of this medal. My opinion remains unchanged. Sam is no longer with us; the irony is complete.
I never knew Ian Campbell, but do know several who were either his students or colleagues during his days at Caltech or later as California State Geologist. All have lasting memories of an accomplished scientist, great teacher and mentor, and a person of highest integrity and dependability. Several have told me in the last several months what a wonderful mentor and person Ian was. These are qualities that all of us should strive to attain.
During my career I have been fortunate to have had several very successful managers as supervisors, to have known several others, and have taken the opportunity to try to understand why they were so effective. They have had considerable influence on me. These people are Bill Hardeman, former Tennessee State Geologist; Steve Conrad, former North Carolina State Geologist; David Dunn, former Dean at UT Dallas; Marcus Milling, former AGI Executive Director; Charlie Mankin, Oklahoma State Geologist; Jim Durig, former Dean at the University of South Carolina; and of course Don Haney. Each had a different and unique management style, but have all been very successful in their management of people and organizations. In addition, several effective teachers taught and influenced me, again each with a quite different style. They include Vanderbilt professors Willard Jewell, whose teaching brought me into geology, Doug Rankin, who taught me mineralogy and petrology, and Robert Wesson, math professor; and University of Tennessee professors Otto Kopp and George Swingle.
The thing that I would like to leave you with is that I have strived to produce good science, and let others judge its quality, to set an example for the many young people whom I have had a chance to influence, and to try to give something back to my profession through service. I continue to work to become the kind of person deserving of this honor.
Thank you very much for this honor. This is the finest day of my professional life.
|
