Donor Luncheon recognizes donors and volunteers for gifts to the SEG Foundation by Jenny Kucera Donors and volunteers were recognized for their ongoing support of the SEG Foundation in a luncheon on 23 September during the 2013 SEG Annual Meeting in Houston. 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. He thanked donors and volunteers for their gifts of time, talent, and resources that make the work of the SEG Foundation possible. The programs of SEG and the SEG Foundation continue to be successful because of corporate gifts and individual commitments. Gifts made through the SEG Foundation have helped to support 18 different SEG programs this year.  During the luncheon, President David Monk recognized BGP President Wang Tiejun and several Trustee Associates of the SEG Foundation: Alfred Liaw, Tim Berge, Arthur Cheng, and Michael Forrest. The growth of SEG programs is a result of the generosity of corporate partners. Their investment in SEG has allowed The Society to build new and important opportunities for students pursuing degrees in the geosciences, industry professionals seeking to gain advanced professional development, and opportunities for industry to serve the greater community through programs like Geoscientists Without Borders. During the luncheon, Smith recognized 22 companies who are investing in existing programs and the creation of new ones. Several companies have cumulatively gifted more than $1 million dollars to the Foundation since 2006. -
Chevron's creation and support of the Student Leadership Symposium has resulted in 6 symposiums providing 294 students with almost $625,000 in travel grants. -
Schlumberger not only has helped fund $500,000 in grants, but also has been instrumental in funding the development and implementation of Geoscientists Without Borders. -
With a renewed five-year commitment in 2011, Anadarko's funding has resulted in almost $900,000 in scholarship awards to 147 students. -
ExxonMobil's support of the Student Education Program has resulted in 15 educational programs with 407 participating students and more than $425,000 in student travel grants. ExxonMobil is currently considering another five-year commitment to continue this educational program. -
Petroleum Geo-Services increased its funding with a renewed five-year gift to support Geoscientists Without Borders. -
Leading up to its gift in 2010, Statoil recognized a need for more attention to visualizing and predicting subsurface structure, rock, and fluid properties. Thus they joined SEG in creating the IQ Earth program. Smith thanked corporate Sustaining Investors who continue to support SEG programs. It is with their innovation and generosity that we are able to impact so many geophysicists and future geophysicists' lives.  Smith also announced corporate leadership gifts of more than $1 million, thanking the generous leaders for their renewal in SEG programs. CGG made a second five-year commitment of $250,000 to the Distinguished Lecture Program. Shell made a five-year renewal commitment of $1.25 million to the SEG Honorary Lecture Program. TGS made a five-year renewal commitment of $500,000 to the Field Camp Program. Without the dedicated and passionate volunteers, the SEG Foundation would have a difficult time developing, coordinating, and operating its programs. Success is a result of volunteers serving on two boards: the SEG Board of Directors and the SEG Foundation Board of Directors. Smith recognized members of those boards who provide leadership and funding to The Society and its community—improving the benefits of programs and activities to donors, members, and budding geophysicists. SEG has a committee for just about everything. Members of various program committees are globally represented and serve terms ranging from 1 to 8 years. They serve a vital role in supporting the programs and essentially serve as program ambassadors around the world. Trustee Associates have solidified themselves as a special group of SEG contributors who share a commitment to The Society as well as to furthering the growth of the profession of geophysics. Since 1989, the TAs have grown in number to 240 individuals who believe in the Foundation's mission of supporting the advancement of geophysics and inspiring future geoscientists. These individuals cumulatively have given more than $6 million in support of the SEG Foundation and SEG programs. Since the 2012 Donor Luncheon, the Foundation has added 12 new Trustee Associates. Hank Hamilton, a Sustaining Trustee Associate and chairman at TGS, recognized these new TAs for their generosity and support. TAs who commit $2,000 to the Annual Fund each year will be recognized as Sustaining Trustee Associates. These generous individuals demonstrate their passion for the profession and community by helping to sustain the Annual Fund—a fund that supports all aspects of the good work of the Foundation. Hamilton recognized Decker Dawson with a Lifetime Service Award and David Worthington for his ongoing and enthusiastic support of the Scholarship Program. He also acknowledged Charlie and Jean Smith, who generously made an additional gift to their existing scholarship endowment this year, growing it to more than $500,000—the second largest scholarship endowment by an individual.  Edith Miller, Director at Large, shared a video documenting students' stories about their connection with the SEG and the impact The Society has made in their lives. The video highlighted the global friendships developed through participating in SEG programs, how SEG has opened doors for them in their careers, and how the grants they received have changed their lives. Smith recaptured the message shared throughout the Donor Luncheon—that it is only because of generous investments that the Foundation is able to impact the lives of the professionals and students in the geophysical community. Thank you to all the support of friends, donors, and volunteers of SEG and the SEG Foundation. | 
