Dr. Mosher has gained renown as a major contributor to the geological sciences through her research in tectonics, structural geology, and petrology, her work improving geoscience education, and her leadership within the geoscience community. She is well known for her recent role as Dean of UT's Jackson School, where she faced the challenges of leading three independent units of geoscience as one successful school. Under Dr. Mosher's leadership, the Jackson School was one of the top-rated geoscience schools in the United States.

 

Additionally, Dr. Mosher had the vision and accomplishment of leading the development GeoScienceWorld, an international journal aggregation for geologists and a nonprofit startup that has grown to be a substantial force in worldwide scientific digital access for universities and companies. Dr. Mosher has exerted far-reaching influence through her leadership in developing geoscience curricula for the future by gathering colleagues from around the world.

 

Dr. Mosher has served in several society leadership roles, including President of AGI (2012-2013), President of the Geological Society of America (GSA) (2000-2001), and Chair of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents (2004). Her awards include the Association of Women Geologists Outstanding Educator Award (1990), the GSA Distinguished Service Award (2003), and the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Liberal Arts College (2016). 

 

"Sharon Mosher's long service to AGI, as an officer and as a former President, is well known," said AGI President Carolyn Olson. "What many of us in the geoscience professional community have come to admire most in Sharon is her thoughtful leadership, vision, and fortitude in shaping the future of the geoscience community."

 

"Sharon Mosher is never just a member of anything," said Ruth Roberta (Robbie) Gries, former president of the Geological Society of America, in nominating Dr. Mosher for the award. "She puts heart and soul into leadership, direction, fiscal stability, creative innovations, and attention to the needs of all - all the while educating students, the public, colleagues and politicians. To follow her path in any organization is to be the lucky beneficiary of her wise impact and trailblazing."

 

"I am very honored to receive this award, following so many distinguished past recipients," said Dr. Mosher. "Geosciences has been my lifelong passion, and I have been fortunate to have so many opportunities to contribute. But the best part has been working with so many wonderful fellow geoscientists."

 

The Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal is a lifetime achievement award, given in recognition of an individual's high-quality basic and applied science achievements in the Earth sciences. The award, established in 1999, was named in late 2006. Dr. Marcus Milling was an ardent and tireless champion of geoscience education, policy, and information services who served as AGI's Executive Director from 1992 until July of 2006, when he transitioned to a Senior Advisor role.

 

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 such as the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal, visit https://www.americangeosciences.org/awards

 

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.

 

 

_____________

AGI Contact:

Geoff Camphire, Communications