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2014 Earth Science Achievement Awards

2014 awards
2014 ESAA recipients David S. Gutzler (left) and Marcy L. Leavitt (right)
with Greer Price (Director - NMBGMR & State Geologist, now emeritus)

The 2014 New Mexico Earth Science Achievement Awards were presented to Marcy L. Leavitt for outstanding contributions advancing the role of earth science in areas of public service and public policy in New Mexico, and to Dr. David S. Gutzler of the University of New Mexico for outstanding contributions in advancing earth science and education in New Mexico. These awards, sponsored by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, a division of New Mexico Techin Socorro, were initiated in 2003 to honor those often unrecognized champions of earth science issues vital to the future of New Mexico. Selections were made following a statewide nomination process.

The presentation occurred in the rotunda of the state capitol building on January 29, during the legislative session and in conjunction with Earth Science Day. Several agencies staffed tables and displays in the west wing of the Roundhouse on that day. The presentations were made by L. Greer Price, director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (now emeritus). The public was invited to visit the Roundhouse throughout the day and to attend the ceremony.

Public Policy & Service

Marcy Leavitt is currently Texas/New Mexico branch chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Albuquerque District Regulatory Division. Prior to joining the USACOE in January 2012, Marcy spent 23 years with the New Mexico Environment Department, where she served as bureau chief of both the Ground Water Quality Bureau (1993-2003) and the Surface Water Quality Bureau (2003-2008). She has had a long and illustrious career as a guardian of New Mexico’s water resources.

Research & Education

Dave Gutzler is Professor in the Earth & Planetary Sciences Department at University of New Mexico, where he has taught since 1995. His research specialties include climate change, statistical climatology, and the predictability of weather and climate. Throughout his career he has been devoted to the dissemination of climate science to the public and to policy makers.

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources is a non-regulatory research and service division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. For 87 years the bureau has served as the geological survey for the state of New Mexico.

Marcy L. Leavitt (right) with Greer Price
David S. Gutzler (left) with Greer Price

Nominations for next year's awards are welcome from the general public.

- See past award recipients -