ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Barbara H. Murphy, RG, CPG, Senior Geologist, Clear Creek Associates, as the 2019 recipient of the AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences, AGI's highest award.

Serving the geoscience community through her more than 40-year career, Ms. Murphy has been active in professional organization membership and service at local, national, and international levels, contributing as a board member on various commissions and leading committees for government and nonprofit groups. She has worked with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), AGI, the Arizona Geological Survey, the Arizona Hydrological Society, Geoscientists Canada, European Federation of Geologists, and the International Union of Geological Scientists (IUGS) to advocate for the geoscience profession. She has supported state geological surveys and professional geologists, notably by offering written and verbal testimony when the profession was under threat of adversity. Ms. Murphy serves on the Arizona Geological Survey's State Mapping Advisory Committee, has been a member (by appointment of the governor) of the Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, as well as a familiar presence with AGI, serving on the Geopolicy Working Group and the Hazards Caucus Alliance to represent AIPG for several years. She worked on the initial development of the joint AGI/AIPG Geoscience Online Learning Initiative (GOLI). With IUGS, Ms. Murphy is a key member of the Task Group on Global Geoscience Professionalism, working with international geological organizations in promoting educational and professional standards and public outreach for geosciences worldwide. She has served on numerous committees and has held elected offices with AIPG, including national president in 2012. Continually devoting time and energy to bettering the geoscience profession and community, she has also served as a mentor, working to support young geoscientists in their education and career pursuits.

Professionally Ms. Murphy has specialized in environmental geology and water resource evaluations in her work with the firm Clear Creek Associates in Arizona since November 1999, including projects such as the Motorola 52nd Street Superfund site groundwater and soils investigations and cleanup, Motorola 56th Street and Earll Drive WQARF site groundwater and soils investigations and remediation, and other environmental  evaluations. Earlier, at the Phoenix office of consulting firm of Dames & Moore from 1977 to 1999, Ms. Murphy provided environmental geology, soils, and water resources evaluations for environmental and geotechnical projects, many of which required coordination with or were under the review of federal and state agencies. She had the opportunity to work with other geologists, engineers, and other scientists on a broad variety of projects ranging from coal resource evaluations in New Mexico, to major dam siting/design and flood control projects in central Arizona, to highway projects, transmission lines, landfills, mining projects, military projects, resource management plans, and major Superfund and other remediation projects throughout the west.

A Registered Geologist in Arizona and an AIPG Certified Professional Geologist, Ms. Murphy earned her B.A. in Geology at Mount Holyoke College, and completed Field Geology coursework in Colorado with the University of Kansas. Her senior research project was based on summer fieldwork mapping completed as part of the National Science Foundation's Nain Anorthosite Project in Labrador, Canada at a remote location where she was told she was the fourth person in modern times to go.  

Her previous honors include AIPG's Ben H. Parker Memorial Medal Award (2018), Outstanding Service Award as AIPG National President (2012), Martin Van Couvering Award (2011), AIPG's Award of Honorary Membership for service to AIPG and the Profession (2008), and AIPG's Presidential Award (1997).

"I want to thank AGI for selecting me as the 2019 recipient of the AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences," Ms. Murphy said. "I was shocked to receive the news of the award but also felt so honored. I really enjoy my continued volunteer efforts on part of AIPG, AGI, and other professional organizations on behalf of the geosciences. The service with other members of AGI and AIPG and other organizations has been very rewarding and a pleasure for many years. I appreciate the friendships and partnerships from these collaborations. Knowing that together we can make a difference for the geosciences profession and for current and future geologists provides satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment for our continuing efforts."

The AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences is AGI's highest award, given in recognition of singular performance in, and contributions to, the profession of geology. Candidates are measured against the distinguished career of Ian Campbell, whose service to the profession touched virtually every facet of the geosciences. Campbell was a most uncommon man of remarkable accomplishment and widespread influence. In his career as a geologist, educator, administrator and public servant, he was noted for his candor and integrity. The title of the award was changed in 2009 to add "for Superlative Service to the Geosciences" in order to emphasize the importance of service shown by the recipient.

AGI directly, or in cooperation with its member societies, makes a number of awards each year to recognize particular excellence in the geosciences.  In addition, AGI works with its member societies to foster nominations of deserving geoscientists for consideration in a number of National Science Awards. To learn more about AGI awards, go to https://www.americangeosciences.org/awards.

About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is a nonprofit federation of more than 50 scientific and professional associations that represents over a quarter-million geoscientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment.

AGI is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.

The American Geosciences Institute represents and serves the geoscience community by providing collaborative leadership and information to connect Earth, science, and people.

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AGI Contact:
Geoff Camphire, Associate Director of Communications
gac@americangeosciences.org

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