Dr. Stephen Wells Honored as 2026 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist by AGI
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Dr. Stephen G. Wells, previous President of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), has been awarded the American Geosciences Institute’s (AGI) 2026 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal, recognizing a lifetime of exceptional achievement and leadership in the geosciences.
Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Dr. Wells has distinguished himself as a pioneering researcher, educator, mentor, and institutional leader whose influence has shaped the geoscience profession across academia, research organizations, and scientific societies. A nationally recognized expert in geomorphology and Quaternary geology, he has advanced understanding of arid and semiarid landscapes, climate-driven environmental change, tectonic processes, and hydrologic systems. His research has produced approximately 60 peer-reviewed publications and earned major geoscience honors, including The Geological Society of America’s (GSA) Kirk Bryan Award, Gladys Cole Award, and Farouk El-Baz Award.
Dr. Wells has paired scientific excellence with an enduring commitment to education and mentorship throughout his career. During faculty appointments at the University of New Mexico and University of California, Riverside, he helped build internationally recognized research programs and guided dozens of graduate students who have gone on to become geoscience leaders.
Dr. Wells also has an extensive record of executive leadership. As President of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) from 1999 to 2016, he oversaw one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary environmental research organizations, expanding its research capacity, partnerships, and global impact. He was honored with DRI President Emeritus from the Nevada System of Higher Education in 2017. From 2016 to 2023, he has served as the 17th President of New Mexico Tech, where he strengthened research programs, built entrepreneurial opportunities for faculty and students, significantly expanded fundraising efforts, and guided the institution through significant challenges and opportunities.
In addition to his scientific and academic accomplishments, Dr. Wells has dedicated decades of service to the geoscience community. He served as President and Vice President of GSA and Vice Chair of the GSA Foundation, supporting the profession through leadership roles with scientific organizations, advisory boards, editorial boards, and national committees.
“Stephen is exceptionally deserving of the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal,” said AGI President Claudia Mora. “His career reflects a combination of scientific achievement, visionary leadership, dedicated mentorship, and service to the broader geoscience community. Through his research, commitment to developing future generations of scientists, and leadership of scientific institutions, he has made a lasting impact on the geosciences and on countless individuals whose careers he has helped shape.”
“I am deeply honored to be awarded the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal from AGI,” said Dr. Wells. “It is exceptionally humbling to be included with recipients that shaped and advanced the world of geosciences and with some who served as mentors in my own career, such as Bob Hatcher, Bill Thomas, and Sharon Mosher. I have always considered myself a servant leader in academe and the geosciences and express my sincere gratitude for being honored by AGI for this role.”
The Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal will be given at the Awards Ceremony at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists/Society of Exploration Geophysicists annual meeting (IMAGE 2026) taking place August 17-20, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
AGI directly, or in cooperation with its Member Societies, bestows several awards each year to recognize excellence in the geosciences. In addition, AGI works with Member Societies to foster nominations for consideration in a number of National Science Awards. To learn more about AGI awards, visit https://www.americangeosciences.org/awards.
About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional organizations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the geoscience needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
Contact: Geoff Camphire, AGI Communications gac@americangeosciences.org