Distinguished
The Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award recognizes distinguished contributions to public policy and outreach that accurately inform the general public and government officials about aspects of the mineralogical sciences, defined broadly to include mineralogy, petrology, crystallography and geochemistry. Examples of public service that our society might recognize as worthy of the award include dissemination of information to the general public or government officials on topics such as mineral resource and waste management policy, geohealth, volcanic hazards, and open access to scientific findings. Other examples that might be considered for this award include activities that foster greater public understanding of mineral sciences, promote mineral sciences education at all levels, and advance equitable access to the mineral sciences.
The Distinguished Public Service Award medal is normally given every two years. Nominees need not be members of the Mineralogical Society of America. The medal is typically awarded to an individual, although nominations of organizations are also welcome.
The recipient of the Distinguished Public Service Medal receives a 3-inch diameter and sterling silver engraved medal. The medal was designed by Drs. Peter Robinson, Maryellen Cameron, and Malcolm Ross. The design started with the triangular, tourmaline-inspired Society Logo. The founding date of MSA, MCMXIX (or 1919), was removed and replaced with “Public Service”.
The central panel of the Society logo is modernized by inserting a tetrahedral layer, symbolic of our advancing knowledge of the internal structure of minerals. On the reverse the recipient’s name and date of the presentation of the medal are engraved on the central black triangle that lies within the central “tourmaline” surrounded by three symbolic scenes and the words “Investigation”, “Education” and “Intelligent Uses of Natural Recourses”.
The lower left image symbolizes investigation and understanding of the nature of minerals at the submicroscopic scale. It shows images of chrysotile, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and pyrite, calling to mind the contributions of the first medalist, who examined the differential health effects of mineral dusts for the purposes of developing health policy.
The top image symbolizes protection of natural values necessary to life on this (or any) planet, including air, water, and landscape, and to the important role mineralogists must play in this task.
The lower right panel symbolizes use of natural resources, which man will continue to do, hopefully wisely. In this regard mineralogists must strive to bring attention to adequate scientific knowledge so that resources are used intelligently and for the long-term benefit.
The medals have been struck by the Medallic Art Company since 1990.
Recipients of the Distinguished Public Service Medal
With Links to the Presentation (P) and Acceptance (A) Articles
1990 Malcolm Ross P, A
1991 H. Catherine W. Skinner P, A
1993 Paul H. Ribbe P, A
1994 Konrad B. Krauskopf P, A
1996 Robert I. Tilling P, A
1998 Daniel E. Appleman P, A
1999 Robert A. Howie P, A
2000 Richard S. Fiske P, A
2001 Jeffrey E. Post P, A
2002 David P. Hill P, A
2003 George E. Harlow P, A
2004 Robert F. Martin P, A
Submitting a Nomination for the Distinguished Public Service Medal
For 2024, the final nomination package will consist of a completed Nomination Coversheet; a letter from the nominator outlining the candidate’s qualifications in light of the criteria for the award (limit: two pages); complete curriculum vitae and a bibliography of published works exclusive of abstracts, book reviews, and papers that have not yet been accepted for publication; and supporting letters from three (3) other individuals that are focused on how the candidate meets the criteria of the award (limit two pages per support letter). Final nomination packages that include more than three support letters will not be considered.
The Nomination Coversheet is available either online as a pdf file that you may copy from the screen or download to complete, or by mail from the MSA Business Office, 3635 Concorde Pkwy Ste 500, Chantilly, VA 20151-1110, USA, voice: +1 (703) 652-9950, fax: +1 (703) 652-9951, email: business@minsocam.org. The completed nomination package must be sent to Ann Benbow in the MSA Business Office (abenbow@minsocam.org) and received by June 1, 2024 for consideration by the Committee for the following year’s award.
The committee asks that the nominator compile into a single electronic file the nomination, vitae, all letters of support, and supplementary materials before submitting the nomination to the Committee Chair. This single electronic nomination package makes it easier and less expensive for the committee members, who are increasingly international, to do their work.
Nominations can be carried over to following years if the nomination package is updated by the nominator. Any nomination not renewed after 2 years will be not considered further. The nomination for an individual serving on MSA Council cannot be considered until after his or her term.
2023-2024 Chair of the MSA Distinguished Public Service Medal Nomination Committee (for the 2025 Distinguished Public Service Medal)
Carol D. Frost
University of Wyoming
Dept. of Geology and Geophysics
Dept. 3006
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071-2000
USA
Tel: +1 (307) 766-3386
E-mail: frost@uwyo.edu