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Why I Give: The GSA Foundation’s Board of Trustees

The GSA Foundation is fortunate to have a strong volunteer Terri Bowers: GSA members were such a community for me
base of dedicated geologists from across the full breadth of our when I was young that now is the time for me to help on the
science. The members of our Board of Trustees generously vol- other end. There has never been a time when earth-science
unteer their time and resources to ensure both our success and education was so important as it is now—yet resources for this
that of the Society’s. Several board members wanted to share support are ever more limited. I don’t know if we, the Society
with you why they invest their time, talents, and resources in members, can make up the gaps, but we have to try.
GSA—and why they hope you will do the same.
Rex Buchanan: The discipline of geology has been a welcoming
Judy Parrish: GSA is a premier geological society that has professional home to me. I’ve developed relationships in the
strong and diverse programs to serve students. Its journals are community that I value highly. Supporting GSA is one way to
among the top ones in our discipline, and the membership has pay back the discipline for what it’s given me. This is also a
a strong appreciation for the continued value of fieldwork, as challenging time for science and scientific societies. And that
well as the development and application of new technologies. makes support of GSA more important than ever.
It is one place where you really can see the impact of your giving.
Steve Wells: The Geological Society of America has been my
Jack Shroder: You could give your money in a variety of ways professional society of choice since I was a graduate student in
or to a lot of different organizations but your donation to GSA the early 1970s. As a student, young professional, professor,
can be followed easily from donation, through student applica- and academic administrator, I have benefited from the Society
tion, to recipient so that you can see where it goes or what it is in ways that I cannot measure. From support for my graduate
being used for. research to honing my professional leadership skills, the Society
has been one of the most important factors in my career over the
Wes Ward: Many people, most of whom I will never meet, past 40 years. Giving is a very small step I can take to ensure
made it possible for me to have a great career in geology. They that GSA will continue to provide these types of positive
had the foresight to set up or contribute to a fund to help under- impacts in the future.
grads and graduate students such as I was then. Their faith in
future generations is something I admire and feel obligated to Do you have a similar experience? Are you ready to give
emulate—something I very much enjoy. I am proud to do my back? Your generosity will support the broader geoscience com-
part in the development and continuation of our science. munity and aid GSA members from their student years to retire-
ment. If you have questions about ways to significantly support
Darrel Cowan: GSA has always been my home society, even as GSA programs, please contact Clifton Cullen at +1-303-357-1007
an undergraduate. I published my first paper in the GSA Bulletin or ccullen@geosociety.org. To learn more about the GSAF
and presented my first talks while a graduate student at Section Board of Trustees, visit gsa-foundation.org/trustees.
Meetings. I give to GSA partly as thanks for everything it pro-
vides to our community.

Tom Holzer, GSAF Board Treasurer, presents his
financial report during the Trustees meeting held
before GSA 2019 in Indianapolis. GSAF Trustees
graciously donate their time to provide guidance
and leadership for the Foundation.

www.gsa-foundation.org

54 GSA Today | July 2019