AIPG National Award - Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal

Due by January 15th - scroll down to submit online

To assist in what a nomination should include click here for an example of a generic award nomination.

The AIPG awards committee reviews each application for consideration based on the comparison of the applicant's record to the description of the award.  Each application is presented and reviewed by the awards committee, discussed, and voted on by the full committee.  A majority vote is required to grant the award.  The awards committee reviews each application thoroughly.  In some years the committee decides that a particular award will not be made. If this is the case, the applicant may be re-considered the following year.  

If in any year the awards committee does not find a nominee whose contribution merits the award, it may recommend that no award be made. The awards committee submits its recommendations for each and every award to the AIPG National Executive Committee for final approval. Detailed information on why an applicant is approved or not for an award is held confidentially by the committee and only available to the AIPG National Executive Committee.

BEN H. PARKER MEMORIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

The Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal is the Institute’s most distinguished award. It was established by the Executive Committee in 1969 in posthumous 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.

To submit a complete set of documentation for a nominee, the following items should be considered in a written nomination statement:

• How has this candidate demonstrated significant and sustained contributions to the geologic profession?
• How many years has the candidate been an AIPG member? 
• Give examples with descriptions of the activities and the time frame.  How did these activities positively impact the geologic profession?
• How has this candidate demonstrated leadership in the profession?
• What audiences have benefited from this candidate’s activities (such as students, professional geologists, government representatives, the public)?
• Have you verified against the list of previous winners that this candidate has not previously received this award?

Documentation at a minimum must include a written statement from the AIPG member who nominates the candidate and the candidate’s CV.  Outstanding contributions may be at a section, state, national or international level.

Examples of supporting documentation that will be helpful in assessing the qualifications of the candidate include links to websites with videos, blogs, publications, etc. of the candidate; copies of newspaper or journal articles about or written by the candidate; testimonies from other people; patents on scientific and technical developments in any aspect of geology; educational activities; and leadership/management activities that show responsibility for national known improvements and developments; leadership through management or business practices that enhanced and advanced an industry or the profession.

Past Recipients of the Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal