Major gifts announced at SEG Foundation Donor Luncheon

By Jenny Kucera, Associate Editor TLE

Donors and volunteers were honored for their ongoing support of the SEG Foundation in a luncheon and awards ceremony Monday, September 19 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center during the 2011 SEG Annual Meeting in San Antonio.

Tom Smith, Chairman of the SEG Foundation Board of Directors served as Master of Ceremonies and presented the opening address at the SEG Foundation Donor Luncheon and Awards Ceremony. He thanked donors and volunteers for their gifts of time, talent, and resources that make the work of the SEG Foundation possible.

Early in the program, two new major gifts were recognized. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, a sustaining investor, renewed its investment in the scholarship program, with a renewal amount of $875,000 over five years.

Anadarko has also been a sustaining investor in the scholarship program during the past five years, with an annual commitment of $175,000. Graduate and undergraduate students studying at universities in the United States are eligible for the scholarships. Since inception in 2007, 127 scholarships have been awarded to 93 students studying at 54 universities.

"Anadarko understands the importance of raising the profile of the oil and natural gas industry and being a meaningful contributor on campuses, particularly those off the industry's beaten path," Smith said. "Bright students are everywhere. Anadarko's decision to renew its five-year sustaining investment is a welcome vote of confidence in the work of the SEG Foundation."

The second gift was a donation of $1 million by Total and CGGVeritas. Over the next five years, this gift will support the SEG University Excellence Program—a new program started this year to raise the standard of geophysical education in universities around the world and strengthen connections between talented students and employers needing to hire quality staff.

Other exciting developments were announced for Geoscientists Without Borders. There are currently 11 projects in the field.The GWB Endowment Campaign goal is $1 million. Debra and Mark Gregg (KiwiEnergy) established the GWB Endowment Campaign by providing a $250,000 challenge grant, for matching funds, in December 2010. The challenge has been met—more than $525,000 has been gifted by 39 donors. The Greggs issued another challenge: $125,000 matching funds by year-end.

"We're fortunate to have the resources, and we're just doing what we're supposed to do—to give back," Mark said.

Keynote speaker Matthew Hornbach, professor from Southern Methodist University in Texas, presented his GWB project in Jamaica, "Preparing Kingston, Jamaica for the Next Great Earthquake and Related Geohazards." He shared stories about his work in the field and with the other project team members. The goals of the project are to determine active fault location and the source of tsunamis—to prepare for hazards before lives are lost—and train future geoscientists.

"I've worked hard, taken risks, and made a difference in the world around me," Hornbach said. "It's something all of us can do."

SEG President Klaas Koster congratulated the Foundation for its growth and service to the Society by inspiring geophysicists. He recognized that SEG and the SEG Foundation must continue working together to serve the geophysical community. Koster then presented awards to the attending Honorary Lecturers (HL) and International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) award winner.

The Honorary Lecturer program recognizes geophysical excellence in all regions of the world. Four of the six 2011 SEG Honorary Lecturers present at the Donor Luncheon received plaques: Tad Smith (North America), Lucy MacGregor (Europe), Julian Cabrera (Latin America), and Tariq Alkhalifah (Africa/Middle East).

Andrew Feldman (Manalapan High School, New Jersey) was presented a plaque as this year's winner of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). His winning project was titled, "Acoustic Imaging Using Optimized Beamforming Techniques."

William "Bill" Barkhouse was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer. Gary Servos, Vice-chair of the Foundation Board, presented him with a clock as a gift of appreciation for his exemplary service to the organization. Barkhouse chaired the Major Gifts Campaign that raised $17 million for the SEG Foundation, and continues to go above and beyond in serving SEG and the SEG Foundation.

The Foundation Donor Luncheon concluded with Smith once again thanking Trustee Associates, individual donors, corporate donors, and volunteers for supporting their profession through the SEG Foundation.

"Thank you for making the work of the SEG Foundation possible," Smith said. "Your support drives our success. You make a difference!"

View the SEG Foundation Luncheon photo gallery

Go to the 2011 Annual Meeting news overview