Henry Wise, P.G., C.P.G., President of the AIPG Texas Chapter, announced today that the training program, GeoDayz 2025, scheduled for April 25 and 26 has been postponed to 2026 as a result of insufficient registration.

Although the student fee for the event had been reduced to $50.00, this fee reportedly created resistance to students registering in any event. This indicates to AIPG Texas Board Members that current Texas university students have little value for such training.

The AIPG Texas Board will re-evaluate the need for such training programs during future AIPG-TX Board meetings.

The Texas Board of Directors thanks and appreciates Collier Consulting, Inc. for their outstanding contributions in arranging lecturers and facilities for the planned GeoDayz 2025 program and for generating the QR code announcement to make registering for the event much easier than in the past. Let’s hope Texas university students will show greater interest next year in being trained for entering employment in the geosciences.

Dr. Roger Lee, P.G., and Bruce Handley, P.G. manned a table again at the recent Texas Hydro-Geo Workshop held near Boerne, Texas. They spoke to many students and young professionals about joining the AIPG and about the AIPG-TX Scholarship and Awards program, and especially about the the approaching AIPG-TX GeoDayz training program in the spring of 2025.

Many students have shown a strong interest in the 2025 GeoDayz event to be held in April 2025 in Stephenville, Texas. GeoDayz 2025 will be hosted by Dr. Hughbert Collier and his Collier Consulting, Inc. in Stephenville, Texas.

To sign up for additional information, use the code shown earlier in the News.

1. Kaylah Arnold at the Sam Houston State University has been awarded a Ted H. Foss Undergraduate AIPG-TX Scholarship ($1,000.00).
2. Jack McLaughlin at the University of Houston has been awarded a Gene Shoemaker Graduate AIPG-TX Scholarship ($2,500.00); and
3. Rowann Remie at the Midwestern State University has been awarded a Gene Shoemaker Graduate AIPG-TX Scholarship ($2,500.00).

Real-World Field Settings for Valuable Hands-On Experience in Aquatic Biology, Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Environmental Science

More than 200 students and a few professionals from around Texas assembled near Boerne, Texas for the Texas Hydro~Geo Workshop. It is focused on the collection, processing, analysis, and evaluation of hydrologic (surface water),  geologic, and hydrogeologic (groundwater) field data. It serves as an excellent introduction for aspiring geology, hydrology, hydrogeologic, and environmental science students, as well as a refresher for seasoned professionals with potential recruiting objectivies.

The Workshop was created to bring students and professionals together in a field setting for a hands-on learning experience. This is a special opportunity to work with senior researchers and professionals from across the state and nation. Participants have the opportunity to explore many different techniques for collecting data from soil, rock, and water media. This includes drilling rigs, surface and borehole geophysics, stream gauging, water quality instruments, and much more. For those who will be taking week long or longer field courses associated with your degree program, some of the Hydro~Geo Workshop modules provided students with an advantage ranging from advanced knowledge on field safety, field-book data collection, rock and sediment identification, how to camp, etc.

Participants selected from the various modules depending upon availability. Please note that participation may be limited in some modules for safety reasons, in order to maintain a high participant/coordinator ratio, or for resource protection. The Workshop also includes the opportunity for senior professionals to present Lightning Talks to the attendees.

Members of the Texas AIPG Board of Directors made presentations focused on what AIPG does for students and professionals in Texas and around the U.S., and they provided some hints as to what it’s like to be a Professional Geologist (a P.G., and a C.P.G.). Pick-up the handouts at the booth (more) and other momentos that will be available. Here some photos from the activities on the second day (here). Many students signed up to apply for student memberships of the AIPG, which are Free !

Two seasoned professionals, Dr. Roger Lee, P.G. and Mr. Bruce Handley, P.G.,  discussed the students’ future in the geosciences at the AIPG-TX booth. Also, Bailey Hodakievic was also present to discuss such matters with the attendees as well (more). She was recently appointed by Henry Wise, P.G., C.P.G., (President of the AIPG-TX) to serve on the AIPG-TX Board and as President of  the Texas Statewide Student Virtual Chapter of the AIPG Texas Section. 

The Workshop took place at and around Cave Without a Name facility near Boerne, Texas. Most activities were conducted at the campsite and pavilion.

The Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal is the American Institute Professional Geologist’s most distinguished award. The Award was made to Dr. Scott Tinker by Henry M. Wise, P.G., CPG, President of AIPG Texas Section with Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H., CPG, Vice-President – Eastern Texas.

The Award was established by the Executive Committee in 1969 in honor of a truly great leader, who devoted much of his life to improve the quality of geology and geologists and the services they provide. The medal is awarded to individuals who have long records of distinguished and outstanding service to the profession. The most important criterion for this medal is a continual record of contribution to the profession of geology. A wide variety of contributions can be considered, such as (a) the education and training of geologists, (b) professional development of geologists, (c) service to the Institute, (d) leadership in the surveillance of laws, rules, and regulations affecting geology, geologists, and the public, and (e) activity in local and regional affairs of geologists.

Dr. Tinker is Director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologist of Texas, and a professor holding the Edwin Allday Endowed Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. Scott Tinker works to bring industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy.

With BEG Director Harry Lynch, Dr. Tinker coproduced and is featured in the award-winning energy documentary film “Switch,” which has been screened in over 50 countries to more than 15 million viewers and is used on thousands of K-through-12 and college campuses. Dr. Tinker formed the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance in 2016 and has completed two new films: “Switch On”, a feature length documentary addressing global energy poverty, and “Energy Makes our World,” a 5 minute, Hollywood-quality film made for global museums and giant screens. He is the voice of “EarthDate”, a two-minute weekly program that focuses on remarkable stories of Earth. “EarthDate” is produced by the Bureau of Economic Geology and is featured on over 400 NPR and public radio stations in all 50 United States.

Dr. Tinker has served as president of several associations including the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS). Dr. Tinker is an AGI Campbell Medalist, AAPG Halbouty Medalist, GCAGS Boyd Medalist,  a Geological Society of America Fellow, and now holder of the AIPG Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal.   In his visits to some 65 countries, he has given over 850 keynote and invited lectures.