GAC® Service Awards
Distinguished Service Award - Citation
2007 Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Andy Kerr, Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador
GAC® Distinguished Service Award Citation-
Andy Kerr, Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador
Andy Kerr is a long-standing member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Section of GAC®, having served as its president and most notably as its Technical Program chair over the past five years. In these roles Andy has revitalized the section and breathed new life into its annual technical meetings and field trips such that these are now must-attend events on the provincial geoscience calendar. Andy organizes the annual two-day technical conferences from beginning to end. He conceptualizes the program, invites the speakers, organizes the venue, edits and prints the abstracts, assists in raising funds and helps with the social events. Topics have ranged from gold metallogeny to uranium and petroleum exploration to the geology of Gros Morne Park. Andy has also been diligent in ensuring that each meeting features invited keynote lecturers who are also asked to deliver public lectures and thus promote interest in geoscience. Notable recent examples include the geology of Mars and tsunamis. He has also used the invited lecturers to deliver short courses in cooperation with the local Chamber of Mineral Resources. These courses, tied to the annual meeting, have proved very popular with the local professional geoscience community and have enhanced the image of GAC® in industry eyes.
Andy also orchestrates at least two or three field trips per year in the province, with similar wide-ranging themes. He arranges for presenters, collates and prints the guidebook, organizes transportation and accommodation, and on some trips, helps present the geology. Andy also helps arrange social activities such as geology and wine tasting events, and the annual lobster boil (and even cooks the lobsters!).
There is little doubt that the current vitality of the Newfoundland and Labrador section, as well as the strength of its bank balance, is due in no small part due to Andy's efforts. It is dedicated individuals such as Andy who are the real strength of GAC® and who exemplify its volunteer spirit. He is, therefore, a truly worthy nominee for the Distinguished Service Award.