Acceptance of the R. A. F. Penrose Gold Medal for 2010

Abstract

President Enders, members and guests: Thank you for being here this evening and my great appreciation to Rich Goldfarb for his usual unusual colorful and entertaining citation. I am greatly humbled to be included among the past recipients of the SEG Penrose Medal. I do not have the words to adequately convey my enormous appreciation to SEG for this great honor. I find it remarkable that a kid from rural South-side Virginia, born into a working class family—none of whom even thought of attending a university—would be so fortunate to be standing before you tonight. It is customary for recipients of the Penrose Medal to reflect upon one’s past accomplishments and the exceptional people who collectively produced the science that underlies the consideration for the Penrose Medal. I will of course do this, but my journey to this award is about a few very special people who gave beyond the expected to help and encourage me along my journey. There were some dedicated teachers and professors who gave me confidence in myself and planted the seeds of scientific curiosity and the joy of discovery. And most importantly, I have been truly blessed with an exceptional family: my children and grandchildren who missed me at some important times in their lives, some birthdays and soccer games and visits by the tooth fairy. However, my wife, Susan, really deserves the medal more than anyone. While I was working long hours at the office and traveling to see “the rocks,” she was at home being an exceptional mother, grandmother, and the live-in “handyman” whose job description also included changing the beeping smoke alarm batteries in the middle of the night—which seem to have an uncanny sense of when I am away. My mother was a hard-working southern lady who instilled in me an …