Glenn Thackray Begins Term as Geological Society of America President

Boulder, Colo., USA–The Geological Society of America (GSA) is pleased to welcome Glenn Thackray, a professor of geoscience at Idaho State University, as GSA President for the 2026–2027 term.

Thackray begins his presidency on 1 July 2026 after more than 13 years of service in leadership roles across the Society and after 40 years of membership. He follows a long tradition of volunteer leaders who have guided GSA’s mission to advance geoscience research, education, and public service.

As GSA President, Thackray will work with the GSA Council to guide the Society’s direction, steward resources responsibly, support fundraising efforts that expand opportunities for students and early-career professionals, participate in key committees, and advocate for the needs of GSA members and the geoscience community.

Thackray on his Presidency says, “I am honored to serve as President of the Geological Society of America. GSA’s strength comes from its members, volunteers, and staff, and I look forward to working with them to advance geoscience, support the next generation of scientists, and strengthen the Society’s impact on our profession and society.”

“Glenn brings a deep commitment to geoscience, education, and service,” said GSA Interim Executive Director and CEO Bridgette Moore. “His decades of involvement with the Society, combined with his leadership experience and passion for mentoring the next generation of geoscientists, make him exceptionally well suited to guide GSA during the coming year.”

Thackray has served on the faculty at Idaho State University for 31 years. His research focuses on the geologic, hydrologic, and climatic processes that shape Earth’s surface, with particular emphasis on understanding recent geologic history, earthquake faulting, water resources, and the legacy of past ice ages.

The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with more than 18,000 members across over 100 countries. As a leading voice for the geosciences, GSA advances the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fosters collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers. GSA publishes Geology, the top-ranked geoscience journal, along with a diverse portfolio of scholarly journals, books, and conference proceedings—several of which rank among Amazon’s top 100 best-selling geology titles.

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