Elwyn Griffiths Receives William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce Dr. Elwyn Griffiths as the 2010 recipient of the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented in honor of William B. Heroy, Jr., who advanced the use of geophysics in petroleum exploration and in geologic research worldwide. Recipients of this award are measured against his exemplary career and in recognition of outstanding service to the Institute and to the geosciences.

Dr. Griffiths is being recognized for his long standing service to AGI as an AGI Foundation Trustee and as a representative of AGI within the ExxonMobil corporate structure. Dr. Griffith’s championing of AGI’s work has produced significant funding in a variety of areas: AGI has received major funding from ExxonMobil for workshops for secondary earth science teachers, the annual Summer Leadership Academy for K-5 Teachers, the K-5 GeoSource website for elementary teachers and Earth Science Week. ExxonMobil also provided major funding for the 2007 AGI television series Faces of Earth. Because of Dr. Griffith’s strong support, ExxonMobil has also made contributions to both AGI’s Workforce program and Minority Participation Program.

Dr. Griffiths received his bachelor’s degree in Geology from Swansea University in Wales and a Ph.D. in geology from Bristol University, England. Since earning his degrees, he has had a long and distinguished career in petroleum exploration. Dr. Griffiths recently retired from the position of Vice President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, New Business Opportunities, in Houston, Texas.

The award was presented on April 11, 2010 at the AGI Past President’s Dinner as part of the AAPG Annual Convention in New Orleans, LA.