Geological Society of America Announces 2021–2022 Officers and
Councilors
Boulder, Colo., USA: Mark G. Little, University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, will take over the role of president
of The Geological Society of America as of 1 July 2022. The incoming
president-elect is Christopher (Chuck) M. Bailey, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Rounding out the new executive committee are immediate past president Barbara L. Dutrow, Louisiana State University, and
treasurer Brian G. Katz, environmental
consultant.
GSA’s new president, Mark Little, first became aware of GSA when he was in
graduate school at Rice University. His advisor identified GSA as a
possible source of funding for his research, so he became a member and
applied for some grants. His service to GSA includes working as the
2009–2010 GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow. He currently leads an
economic development center at the Kenan Institute of the University of
North Carolina.
About GSA, he says, “Our planet and our species are experiencing profound
changes. GSA members are at the forefront of better understanding our
Earth, from how its climate changes to its minerals critical for our energy
demands, to the hazards that shape its surface, to the behavior of water on
its crust and deep in its mantle. Global-scale social changes, from an
Internet-fueled media landscape to the pandemic, also directly impact GSA
members. The concurrent organizational changes at GSA are many, from a new
headquarters to virtual meetings, to an executive director transition, and
a shifting membership. Despite and because of this—we are in an exciting
time. I believe that current members, future members, and the broader
community of stakeholders in the Earth can together advance geoscience
research and discovery, service to society, stewardship of Earth, and the
geosciences profession.”
Little will deliver his presidential address during GSA’s Connects 2022
meeting on Sunday, 9 October, in Denver, Colorado. His talk is titled, “The
Past, Power, and Our Future with the Earth.” The event will be open to all
meeting attendees, and members of the media are invited.
Along with confirmation of ballot results at its May meeting, GSA Council
approved new members and Fellows, the GSA medalists and awardees, the FY23
budgets, and its priorities for the coming year and beyond.
Newly elected Councilors serving four-year terms from 1 July 2022–30 June
2026 are:
Richard M. Ortiz,
Lettis Consultants International Inc. (LCI);
Carol D. Frost,
University of Wyoming; and
Kathleen DeGraaff Surpless
(Sections Liaison), Trinity University.
The new Student Advisory Council Chair (through October 2022) is Yueyi Che, University of California Berkeley.
Information about the full
GSA Council is online
.
GSA Executive Director Vicki S. McConnell welcomed the new
Officers and Councilors, saying, “I am excited to commence work with this
talented and dedicated group of GSA officers and extend a hearty welcome to
our new Councilors. I know they will add depth and knowledge to the GSA
Council.”
The Geological Society of America (GSA) (https://www.geosociety.org)
unites a diverse community of geoscientists in a common purpose to study
the mysteries of our planet (and beyond) and share scientific findings.
Members and friends around the world, from academia, government, and
industry, participate in GSA meetings, publications, and programs at all
career levels, to foster professional excellence. GSA values and supports
inclusion through cooperative research, public dialogue on earth issues,
science education, and the application of geoscience in the service of
humankind.
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