SEG Foundation luncheon honors
donors, investors

Image gallery

Linda Holeman

San Antonio, September 24—The SEG Foundation Trustee Associates hosted a reception and luncheon honoring the companies and individuals who have invested in its mission of “Advancing Geophysics Today, Inspiring Geoscientists for Tomorrow.” Bill Barkhouse, Chair, SEG Foundation Cabinet, hailed the event as “… a true celebration of those who have helped the Foundation reach a new level of excellence.”

Gokay Bozkurt, Chair, SEG Scholarship Committee, led with a message of appreciation and recognition of the Trustee Associates, honorary chairs, and sponsors, noting that in the past 50 years, the SEG has helped more than 2000 students achieve their dream of a career in geoscience. “In 2007-2008 alone, the SEG has awarded a record amount for scholarships – nearly $448 000,” he said.

Barkhouse next congratulated high school senior Hannah Wolf, of Allentown, Pennsylvania as the SEG Distinguished Award Winner at the International Science Fair. He then welcomed SEG President Leon Thomsen, who outlined SEG’s “Bold Plan for the Future,” noting especially the strides SEG has achieved in the development of such initiatives as SEG Online, SEG Live and SEG Innovations.

Peter Pangman, who is the Director of Geophysics on the SEG staff and the primary liaison for the Foundation Board of Directors, spoke of the evolution of the Foundation’s Major Gifts Campaign. “We’ve worked hard to find an intersection of the interests of the SEG, students and corporations, and today, with your support, the evidence of our success is tangible.”

Barkhouse continued the ceremonies by with special presentations to the corporations whose investments have made the following Foundation programs possible:

Scholarships
Anadarko Petroleum: $875 000

Student Leadership Symposium
Chevron - $1 000 000

Student Membership Dues
CGGVeritas - $437 500
Paradigm - $437 500

(Paradigm and CGGVeritas gave as matching gifts for a total of $875,000)

SEG Online Development
ION - $400 000
Landmark Halliburton - $400 000

(ION and Landmark Halliburton gave as matching gifts for a total of of $800,000)

SEG Online Education
China National Petroleum Corporation - $800 000

Student Education Programs
ExxonMobil - $1 000 000

Geoscientists Without Borders Program
Schlumberger - $1 000 000

The Petty Foundation
O.S. Petty Field Camp Grants - $100 000

After recognizing the generosity of SEG’s many individual donors, Barkhouse turned the podium back over to SEG president Leon Thomsen, who announced the Foundation’s exciting goal for the upcoming year of $15 000 000. “Thanks to your generosity and support, we’re more than half-way there – $9.7 million,” he said, adding, “We confidently expect to announce next year in Las Vegas that this goal has been exceeded.”

Summarizing the event, Carlos Dengo, Vice President, Technology for ExxonMobil, stated, “The SEG is to be congratulated for its mission of preparing, challenging and inspiring students. Everyone here is honored and excited to join them in creating programs that nurture the next generation of geophysicists.”

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