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which any GSA member may join, convene at this meeting, where geologists from around the world
present their latest research and discoveries in the field and in the lab. GSA also has seven regional
sections, including the recently formed International Section plus six in North America: Cordilleran,
Rocky Mountain, North-Central, South-Central, Northeastern, and Southeastern.

GSA is also dedicated to advancing the interests of the geosciences in public policy and main-
tains an office in Washington, D.C., where it monitors developments relating to the earth sciences
and its funding on Capitol Hill.

Finally, in realizing the importance of continuing to fund promotion of and investment in the
geosciences, the GSA Foundation, established in 1980, receives and administers contributions in
support of GSA’s mission. As an independent, tax-exempt organization, the Foundation accepts gifts
by check or credit card, wire transfers, stock, and by bequests to the Society’s programs. Recently
completing a $10 million capital campaign, the Foundation also contributes to GSA’s research grants
program, and supplies matching student travel grants for each of GSA’s Sections.

Over forty years since moving from New York to Boulder, the Society’s employees are as dedi-
cated as ever to working on behalf of the Society’s mission to provide access to elements that are
essential to the professional growth of earth scientists at all levels of expertise and from all sectors.
Throughout 2013, we at GSA headquarters invite members and friends to celebrate 125 years of our
science, stewardship of the Earth, and service to the earth sciences with us.

A Bit of Our 125-Year History

The Geological Society of America was founded in 1888 for the purpose of “the promotion of the
science of geology by the issuance of scholarly publications, the holding of meetings, the provision
of assistance to research, and other appropriate means.”

Initially, 37 renowned geologists responded to an invitation to join the new Society, and by the
end of the first year, membership had grown to 191.The question of beginning a Society-sponsored
publication was tackled at the organizational meeting in December 1888, and a series to be known
as the Bulletin of the Geological Society of America was proposed and adopted.The first volume of
the Bulletin appeared in February 1890; the January/February 2013 volume is the 125th in a continu-
ous series.

Annual meetings organized by the Society for the exchange of new knowledge were successful
from the start. With the growth and specialization of the geologic profession, the formation of as-
sociated societies began in 1909 when the Paleontological Society was organized, followed by eight
additional associations: Mineralogical Society of America, Society of Economic Geologists, Society
of Vertebrate Paleontology, Geochemical Society, National Association of Geology Teachers, Geo­
science Information Society, the Cushman Foundation, and Sigma Gamma Epsilon.

The Geological Society of America depended primarily on dues from its relatively few members
until 1931, when the Society received a substantial bequest from Richard A.F. Penrose, Jr. As a result,
it was able to expand its activities in many ways and to begin publication of its series of Memoirs
and Special Papers and the annual Bibliography and Index of Geology (now published by the Ameri-
can Geological Institute). The Society also began issuing color wall maps and special publications
in the field of engineering geology.The 24-part Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, a major refer-
ence work, was introduced in 1953.The series was copublished by GSA and the University of Kansas
for a number of years. (In 2007, the University of Kansas Paleontological Institute became the sole
publisher.)

The Geological Society of America today is proud to have been an integral part of that develop-
ment as it continues to play an active role in the direction of the geologic sciences of the future.

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