The Richard Owen Alumni Award is an annual award given by the Department of Geological Science to an alumnus who has distinguished her or himself in a professional career since graduating from Indiana University.
Below is a list of recipients from 1985 - 2019. Several of them are highlighted with short biographies, their talk titles and abstracts, and their images.
2019 Katherine Freeman (PhD 1991)
2017 Jeff Oslund (MS 1976)
2014 Stephan Graham (BA 1971)
2010 Wayne Bundy
2009 David DesMarais (MS 1972)
2008 Mark Leonard (MS 1979)
2006 Stephen Wells (BS 1971)
2005 Tom Schull (M.A. 1966)
2004 Priscilla P. Nelson (M.S. 1976)
2003 Roger Cuffey (Ph.D. 1966)
2002 John Bubb (Ph.D. 1963)
2001 William I. Ausich (M.A., Ph.D. 1976)
2000 George M. Nevers (M.A., 1957)
1999 Gerald Johnson (B.S., M.A., Ph.D. 1965)
1998 Carl Smith (M.A. 1969)
1997 Lawrence Taylor (B.S., M.A. 1961)
1997 Malcolm Boyce (M.A., 1956)
1995 Michael Mound (M.A., Ph.D. 1963)
1994 Alan Horowitz (Ph.D. 1957)
1993 Ralph Hunter (B.A. 1957)
1992 Charles Wier (M.A., Ph.D. 1955)
1991 Larry Woodfork (B.S., M.A. 1965)
1990 Robert Frey (M.A., Ph.D. 1969)
1989 Ronald Perkins (M.A., Ph.D. 1962)
1989 Daniel Tudor (B.S., M.A., Ph.D. 1972)
1988 Robert Boyer (M.A. 1952)
1988 George Erickson (M.A. 1949)
1986 Paul Proctor (Ph.D. 1949)
1986 Frank Kottlowski (B.A., M.A., Ph.D. 1951)
1985 John B. Patton (M.A., Ph.D. 1954)
1985 Marion M. Fidlar (B.A., M.A., Ph.D. 1942)
1985 William Thornbury (B.A., Ph.D. 1936)
1985 S. Ross Taylor (Ph. D. 1954)
1985 Robert R. Shrock (B.A., M.A., Ph.D. 1928)
October 23, 2019
Recipient: Dr. Katherine Freeman, Evan Pugh Professor, Pennsylvania State University and Director, NASA Astrobiology Center for Isotopologue Research.
Lecture Title: Molecular fingerprints of wildfires during Cenozoic climatic and biotic upheavals.
Abstract: FOR THIS TALK: I will share recent work in my group on tracking fire and fossil carbon with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. I will also highlight some of our recent advances with compound-specific isotope analyses, which is only fitting, since that began in Bloomington so many years ago.
The Astrobiology Center for Isotopologue Research is a new NASA-funded international team using cutting-edge observational and computational tools to learn how isotopes within organic molecules reveal their origins and history. Our research spans from cosmochemistry to metabolic studies, from ancient Earth to icy planetary systems, from deep Earth and ocean fluids to meteorites, all focused on novel observations, fundamental understanding of process, and predictive models of the biotic, abiotic, and environmental signatures carried by C, H, N, O and other isotopes.
October 9, 2017:
Recipient: Jeff Oslund, Anadarko Petroleum, Retired.
Lecture Title: Flourishing Thru Volatile Times. Learnings from an IU alum›s 35 year career in petroleum exploration
Abstract: There are over 30,000 geoscientists employed in the US, and roughly 20% of these are in oil and natural gas exploration and production. The stability of petroleum geoscience careers is directly linked to product prices, technical training (academic and on the job), and attitude of the geoscientist. For those fortunate enough (or savvy enough) to “be in the right place at the right time” and willing/able to learn quickly, the opportunities afforded by this career can be amazing! From the first discovery well on US soil to traveling the world to study unexplored basins and build alliances with foreign partners and governments, it’s been a great ride!
March 6, 2014
Recipient: Stephan A. Graham, W.J. and M.L. Crook Professor, School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University
Lecture Title: New views of an old continental margin: Great Valley forearc basin, Cretaceous, California
Abstract: The Cretaceous Great Valley basin of central California has served as the type example of an ancient forearc basin since the advent of plate tectonics in the 1960s. Nevertheless, emerging technologies and access to subsurface data are rapidly changing perceptions of the basin. The Great Valley basin is proving to be a remarkable archive of the evolution of the California convergent margin, including morphotectonic elements of the system that long since have been destroyed by erosion.
Specifically, petroleum industry seismic reflection data allow definition of the basin’s stratigraphic architecture, which in turn informs depositional systems analysis and understanding of the basin as an open vs. closed system. Age determination of detrital zircon is revolutionizing views of the Great Valley forearc, including its chronostratigraphy and morphologic evolution of the arc, from which zircon-bearing sand was derived. These advances not only improve understanding of the western margin of North America during Cretaceous time, but also enhance the value of the Great Valley basin as an analog for other, less well preserved and documented ancient forearc basins.
February 1 2010
Recipient: Wayne Bundy
Lecture Title: Intellectual Adventures Provoked by Geoscience.
Abstract: 3D seismic data can play a vital role in hydrocarbon exploration and development especially with regard to mitigating risk associated with presence of reservoir, source, and seal facies. Such data can afford direct imaging of depositional elements, which can then be analyzed by applying seismic stratigraphic and seismic geomorphologic principles to yield predictions of lithologic distribution, insights to compartmentalization, and identification of stratigraphic trapping possibilities. Benefits can be direct, whereby depositional elements at exploration depths can be identified and interpreted, or they can be indirect, whereby shallow-buried depositional systems can be clearly imaged and provide analogs to deeper exploration or development targets.
Examples of imaged depositional elements from both shallow- and deeply-buried sections are presented. Deep-water deposits, in particular, have benefited greatly from analyses of 3D seismic data. The understanding of the stratigraphic and geomorphological evolution of these deposits has increased significantly since the advent of 3D seismic-based analyses. In high-cost deep-water exploration settings, insights derived from such analyses are critical to reduce risk with regard to reservoir presence and reservoir compartmentalization to ensure economic success. Depositional elements in settings such as shoreface, shelf, estuarine, and fluvial, as well as in carbonate environments also benefit greatly from 3D seismic analyses. Numerous examples will be shown.
January 21, 2003
Recipient: John Neal Bubb, Exxon Exploration Co. (1935-2020). Ph.D. 1963
Lecture Title: Some Adventures and Misadventures as a Petroleum Explorationist.
From his obituary: John Bubb received his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Oregon State University, and then pursued a doctorate degree in geology at Indiana University.
He joined Humble Oil, which later became Exxon Mobil, straight out of school, moving to Houston. As a scientist, he could not help but give long lectures on the varied geological features, describing its long history and detailed composition when looking at any cliff, rock formation, or mountain.Dr. Bubb worked brilliantly, tirelessly, and faithfully at Exxon for 35 years.
He retired at 62, to enjoy golfing, bridge, traveling, philanthropy, volunteering, and being a father and grandfather. John Neal Bubb, geologist and beloved grandfather, father and husband died on May 10th, 2020, at his home in Austin, Texas from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
The College of Arts