Past Student Chapter Award Recipients

The purpose of the AIPG Student Chapter of the Year Award is to recognize the most outstanding student chapter for their participation in, and contribution to, the American Institute of Professional Geologists. 

The award consists of a plaque to be presented to the student chapter, a certificate to each of the officers of the chapter at the time of their submittal, a $500.00 award for the chapter, and a trip for one member of the winning student chapter to attend the annual AIPG conference and executive meetings.

2023 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2015. Chapter Sponsor: John H. Barkach, CPG, Faculty Sponsor: Thomas Howe, SA.

2022 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2017. Chapter Sponsor: Dave Adler, CPG-11377, Faculty Sponsor - Dr. Chad Deering,  AIPG Michigan Section President - Mellisa Powers-Taylor, and AIPG Michigan Section Liaison - Cody Stoddard. The 2021/2022 AIPG Student Chapter Officers: President - Elana Barth, Vice President - Olivia Salvaggio, Secretary - Nolan Gamet, and Treasurer - Emilie Pray. The 2022/2023 AIPG Student Chapter Officers: President - Grace Ojala, Vice President - Max Strange, Secretary - Hannah Miller-Young, and Treasurer - Emilie Pray.

2021 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2017. Chapter Sponsor: Dave Adler, CPG-11377, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Chad Deering, Student Chapter Officers: Elana Barth, SA-10534 (President 2020-2021), Olivia Salvaggio, SA-10698 (Vice-President 2020-2021), Nolan Gamet, SA-9899 (Secretary 2020-2021), Emilie Pray, SA-10059 (Treasurer 2020-2021).

2020 Co-Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2017. Chapter Sponsor: Dave Adler, CPG-11377, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Chad Deering, Student Chapter Officers: Dustin Helmer, SA-9632 (President 2019-2020), Sienna Meekhof, SA-9328 (Vice-President 2019-2020), Makala O'Donnell, SA-10060 (Secretary 2019-2020), Emilie Pray, SA-10059 (Treasurer 2019-2020).

Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Maharashtra, India - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2017. Chapter Sponsor: James A. Jacobs, CPG-7760, Faculty Sponsor: Prof. K. Vijaya Kumar and Prof. S.K.G. Krishnamacharyulu, Student Chapter Officers: Laxman Bhauso More, SA-7279 (President 2019-2020), Divyesh Vyas, SA-8812 (Vice-President 2019-2020), Avinash Bachanwar, SA-9685 (Secretary 2019-2020), Emilie Shivprasad More, SA-8839 (Treasurer 2019-2020).

2019 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2003. Chapter Sponsor: David J. Matty, Faculty Sponsor: Sven Morgan, Student Chapter Officers: Chelsea Thibodeau, SA-8495 (President 2018-2019), Lindsey Stone, SA-8462 (Vice-President 2018-2019), Chelsea DeBoutte, SA-7532 (Secretary 2018-2019), Jayson Olivera, SA-7532 (Treasurer 2018-2019).

2018 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2011. Chapter Sponsor: Ron Wallace, CPG-8153 and Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Diana Ortega-Ariza, ECP-0320. Student Chapter Officers: Austin Caughey (President 2017-2019), Chance Seckinger (VP 2017-18), Brittany Plyler (VP 2018-2019), Coral Torres (Treasurer 2017-2019), Briana Jenkins-Deneke (Secretary 2017-19) and Hays Slaughter (SGE Representative 2018-19).

2017 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2012. Chapter Sponsor: John H. Barkach, CPG-09121 and Faculty Sponsor: Jeffrey L. Howard. Student Chapter Officers: President - Mara Karageozian, SA-7079; Vice President - Erin D'Hondt, SA-6007; Secretary - Melissa Weaver, SA-7775; Treasurer: Makayla Myers, SA-7779; Event Coordinator: Alex Schreiber, SA-7082.

2016 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2013. Chapter Sponsor: Tom Van Arsdale, CPG-11073 and Faculty Sponsors: Drs. Uwe Kackstaetter, MEM-2437 and Barbara EchoHawk. Student Chapter Officers: President - Jessica Davey, SA-4424; Vice President - Jaclyn Coulon, SA-6934; Secretary - Benjamin Eppley, SA-8024; Treasurer - Kevins O. Magouirk, SA-5674; Support Officer - Byron Clayton, SA-6947, and Support Officer - Colin P. Lamb, SA-6965.

2015 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida - AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2013. Chapter Sponsor: Anne Murray, CPG, and Faculty Sponsor: David Farris. Student Chapter Officers: President - Hannah K. Klein, SA-5156; Vice President - Chelsie N. Bowman, SA-5390; Secretary - Janine M. Giambalvo, SA-5422; Treasurer - Meg M. Wilson, SA-5391; Historian - Stephanie G. McColaugh, SA-5393; Graduate Student Liaison - Claire M. Routledge, SA-6296.

2014 Recipient of the Student Chapter Award

Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, AIPG Student Chapter Founded 2011, Chapter Sponsor: Ronald J. Wallace, CPG-8153; Faculty Sponsor: Bill Frazier; Student Chapter Officers: Salvador Espinosa, SA-3138; Ridge Smenner, SA-5592; Jeannie Patrick, SA-3772; and Rylleigh Harstad, SA-5593.