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GSA Fellowship

Recent Changes to Fellowship Requirements

A message from the GSA Membership terminal (highest) degree, given the proclivity of post-docs and
and Fellowship Committee other short-term appointments (the previous requirement was 10
As current chair of the GSA Membership and Fellowship years past terminal degree). A few exceptions may be considered
Committee, I just completed my third year of service. I’ve had for those with substantial previous experience.
the pleasure of working with this Committee and the privilege The Committee and Council felt that GSA Fellowship requires
of reviewing and evaluating some 240 nomination packages active participation in the Society, with five years of continuous
and CVs for Fellowship. My overarching takeaway from this membership being a reasonable period to demonstrate
experience is that we have many outstanding members who love involvement in and contributions to the GSA. The Committee
and contribute to the science and the Society. would see a few nominations each year where involvement
The Committee has maintained consistent standards for consisted only of paying dues for a short period. The Committee
Fellowship over the years; however, this year the Committee will place a greater emphasis on active GSA participation, which
determined that modest adjustments to the requirements may involve a wide variety of activities, such as participation in
were needed. The Committee reviewed the entire process and annual and Section meetings, publishing in or reviewing for
requirements for Fellowship and submitted recommendations GSA journals, service on committees, work with Scientific
to GSA Council; Council approved, and the recommendations Divisions or geographic Sections, or leading field trips.
have been implemented. GSA Fellowship is an honor bestowed on the best of our
One of the requirements for Fellowship is to have had an profession, and we warmly thank all of our Fellows for their
established career. The most common reason for not support of and involvement with GSA.
recommending Fellowship has been that the nomination was
premature and the evidence for a “distinguished career” was Peter L. Guth
lacking. The Committee discussed and determined that Chair, Membership and Fellowship Committee
establishing a distinguished career today requires 15 years past GSA member since 1976; GSA Fellow since 1997

Call for GSA Fellowship Recent Changes to GSA
Nominations Fellowship Requirements

Deadline: 1 Feb. Initiated by the Membership and Fellowship Committee
and approved by GSA Council in May 2018:
Nominate a deserving colleague with the honor of • Nominees shall have an established career with at least
GSA Fellowship. GSA members are elected to fifteen years past their terminal degree in geology.
Fellowship in recognition of distinguished contributions
to the geosciences. • Nominees are required to have at least five years of
continuous professional membership in GSA.
How to Nominate
The primary nominator (who must be a GSA member • Nominees must have exhibited participation in and/or
and Fellow): service to GSA.

1. Completes the online nomination form at
www.geosociety.org/FellowNoms;
2. Writes a letter of support;
3. Collects two additional letters of support (one must
be from a Fellow; both must be GSA members); and
4. Obtains the nominee’s current CV or résumé.

Questions? Email awards@geosociety.org.

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