SEG Foundation Research Articles

Foundation News: SEG Foundation looks to the future at IMAGE ’24

Foundation News: SEG Foundation looks to the future at IMAGE ’24

Foundation News: SEG Trustee Associates honored during Foundation event

On 31 January 2024, the SEG Foundation recognized its Trustee Associates for their significant charitable contributions to the Foundation and their continued support of SEG programs. The celebration was held at the Houston Country Club in Houston, Texas. It was generously sponsored by SEG supporters, Geophysical Pursuit, SLB, and TGS.

Seismic Soundoff: How the SEG Foundation makes a difference

David Bartel, chair of the SEG Foundation, shares how the nonprofit organization is advancing geophysics research, supporting SEG members, and positively impacting society.

Foundation News: NextGEO initiative kicks off

SEG and the SEG Foundation have created a new initiative called NextGEO to raise funds for the SEG programs that the Foundation supports. Many of the programs that SEG members enjoy (such as the Honorary and Distinguished Lecture series, scholarships, SEG EVOLVE, field camps, travel grants, and Geoscientists without Borders) are funded by donations from SEG members and corporations. The programs provide our members with the opportunity to learn and advance the science of geophysics, interact with other members, and demonstrate the utility of geophysics to society at large.

Foundation News: Pay it forward — The SEG Foundation in 2021

The people of SEG are on the leading edge of geophysics and geoscience and are focused on making life safer and more fulfilling for populations in every corner of the earth. This work is accomplished by reviewing papers and abstracts, serving on grant and program committees, developing and administering student and professional activities and programs, and participating in strategic discussions for the Society. Members make much of this possible, and contributions to the SEG Foundation fund many of the programs and activities that benefit not only our professional community but communities of people around the world.

Foundation News: The SEG Foundation welcomes new directors

The SEG Foundation Board of Directors welcomes six new members including Hendratta Ali, Allyson Anderson Book, John Bradford, Morgan Gilmore, Xiaojun Huang, and Tony Lupo. In addition to these new directors, David Bartel, Arthur Cheng, Michael Loudin, and Zhaobo Meng were reappointed for terms. The Foundation would like to express its deepest appreciation to Pete Cramer, Michael Forrest, Gretchen Gillis, Julie Hardie, and Anna Shaughnessy, who completed their terms of service on the Board in 2020.

Our community needs us, and we need you

As the pandemic continues to impact our lives, and as aggressive energy transition discussions ensue, the future for our geophysical community has never felt so unpredictable. These are challenging times for us all, and we hope you're in good spirits and health. While there is a lot of uncertainty, please know that SEG and the SEG Foundation are doing everything possible to continue to provide much needed services and programs to our members. Now, more than ever, our community needs us, and we need you. Each year, the SEG Foundation raises funds to support many of the Society's excellent programs. SEG Foundation-funded programs are influential to the education of geophysics students and to the growth and development of thousands of practicing professionals around the world. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors.

Executive Perspectives

SEG's student programs are designed to encourage students to pursue careers in applied geophysics, provide them with hands-on experience using geophysical technologies, develop leadership potential, and expose them to a wide array of career opportunities. Our programs seek to connect students to a professional network beyond their universities and to engage them on regional and global levels, encouraging them to transition into professional members after graduation. Student engagement is a strategic function of a professional society. Our vision for SEG student programs is to provide opportunities that engage students in experiences and training that help make them resilient and ready for a career in the wider world of applied geophysics. Critical funding from the SEG Foundation, totaling more than US$750,000 annually, supports student programs as an investment in SEG's future.

Executive Perspectives

I am deep into the fifth decade of my relationship with SEG. I joined SEG as an applied-geophysics student in the early 1970s at the time of the Arab oil embargo. I served as SEG president in 1999–2000, as SEG Foundation chair in 2010, and I currently serve in the role of SEG associate executive director of strategic relations.

Foundation News

The SEG Foundation's Board of Directors welcomes two new members in 2020: Alex Biholar and Mark Leonard. In addition to these new members, Raymond Farrell and Michael Forrest were reappointed to the Board. The Foundation also expresses its deepest appreciation to Dave Monk, Glenn Bear, and Maurice Nessim for their resigned service but continued dedication to the Foundation and Society.

Foundation News

Each year, the SEG Foundation raises funds to support many of SEG's excellent programs. From the long-standing scholarship program, to an instructive lecture series, to infusing geophysical methods and humanitarian efforts, SEG Foundation-funded programs are influential to the education of geophysical students — both undergraduates and graduates — and to the growth and development of thousands of practicing professionals around the world. In 2018, the SEG Foundation once again supported SEG programs with more than US$2 million in funding.

Foundation News

The SEG Foundation's Board of Directors welcomes three new members in 2018: Gretchen M. Gillis, Zhaobo “Joe” Meng, and Maurice M. Nessim. Two positions were replacements, while one additional position increased the Foundation to a 16-member Board. In addition to these new members, David C. Bartel, Arthur Cheng, Pete W. Cramer, Michael C. Forrest, Julie K. Hardie, Michael G. Loudin, and Anna C. Shaughnessy were reappointed in 2018. The Foundation also expresses its deepest appreciation to Erik G. Finnstrom and Cung Vu, who have completed their terms of service on the Board and who continue to be dedicated to the Foundation and SEG.

Foundation News

An attitude of gratitude comes easily when thinking back to my time as a student at Colorado School of Mines. After all, Mines is where I developed the strong technical foundation I draw from daily, where I was recruited by Chevron into my dream job, and where I met many of my closest friends, best of all my husband. Then, of course, there is the magnificent scenery, the collaboration with world-renowned faculty, and the unique experience that is E-Days. While there are many things to be grateful for, the one that stands out in my mind is the support of the SEG Foundation and its generous donors. They empowered me to focus on the things I valued most rather than on the stress of paying for college. In an effort to give back to the Foundation and give forward to future geophysicists, I joined the SEG Scholarship committee in mid-2016. My transition from scholarship recipient to committee member was as rewarding as it was educational.

Foundation News

Giving to charity is a very rewarding experience. But how many of us practice regular charitable giving? Probably not enough. I have been personally donating to SEG (through the SEG Foundation) since the mid-1990s, and I can honestly say that the experience has been very satisfying. Since becoming a donor and getting more involved with the Society, most recently as chair of the SEG Foundation Board of Directors, I continue to be engaged. Students and early geophysicists, and even old-timers like me, benefit from SEG educational programs, workshops, and forums. I am especially proud to support SEG's humanitarian program Geoscientists Without Borders® that uses near-surface geophysical technology on water projects and mitigation of hazards such as landsides and tsunamis to positively impact the lives of people around the world. Please join the thousands of SEG members who support the SEG Foundation every year and help make these programs possible.

Foundation News

The end of each year marks a critical time for the SEG Foundation and other charitable organizations as donors prepare to make year-end donations. This year, we ask you to join fellow colleagues and members in supporting SEG student and professional development programs. As you have experienced personally and have read in The Leading Edge over the past year, donations through the SEG Foundation help to support 15 different SEG programs. These programs are designed to advance the SEG mission of “Connecting the world of applied geophysics.”

Foundation News

Throughout their academic careers, students are challenged to connect classroom and textbook knowledge to application in their chosen fields. Many times, that firsthand experience does not occur until after graduation and with a first job. For some students, having a bridge between academia and industry helps reassure them of their chosen professional careers. Thanks to SEG Foundation corporate and individual donors, SEG can provide geoscience students around the world with the opportunity to construct this bridge between classroom and industry through the SEG Field Camp Grants program.

SEG Foundation's mission: Fund-raising for SEG programs

The SEG Foundation raises funds to support 16 programs, which are managed by the SEG. Many of the programs are for students and early-career geoscientists, but members of all ages benefit from programs such as Honorary and Distinguished Lectures (see sidebar).

SEG Deepwater Exploration Workshop, Shenzhen, China

The SEG Deepwater Exploration Workshop was held successfully 20–22 September 2015 at the Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai Hotel in Shenzhen, China. Coorganizing this workshop with SEG were the China Offshore Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The workshop, “Innovative Solutions for Deepwater Exploration Challenges,” provided an international platform for worldwide geoscientists who work on deepwater exploration to share their research insights and formulate innovative solutions to these challenges. Alfred Liaw of SEG China and Weiliang Dong of COSL cochaired the workshop's technical program. COSL, Schlumberger, CGG, the SEG Foundation, and Tullow Oil PLC were generous sponsors of the event.

Society of Economic Geologists Ralph W. Marsden Award for 2014 Citation of Mark D. Hannington

President Francois and fellow SEG members: It is an honor to introduce this year’s awardee of the Ralph W. Marsden Award, Dr. Mark Hannington. Before describing Mark’s exemplary contributions to SEG and to our science, I would like to take a moment to remind you about Ralph Marsden. I had the privilege of knowing Ralph for many years, during his tenure as professor at University of Minnesota Duluth. Ralph was an exemplary educator, as is today’s awardee, working with his students in the field and lab, and encouraging them to confront the challenges of improving exploration effectiveness through field and lab-based research. He trained legions of students, and was a stalwart of SEG. From 1976 until his death in 1986, Ralph ably served the Society of Economic Geologists: (1) he was Treasurer of SEG, the SEG Foundation, and the former Economic Geology Publishing Company; (2) he successfully managed the Society’s financial affairs during a period of growth in both SEG membership and Economic Geology subscriptions; and (3) he provided inspiration, motivation, and stability to the SEG Council as one of its continuing members. Mark Hannington exemplifies the …

AfricaArray International Geophysics Field School: Diversity and training come together in Africa

The AfricaArray International Geophysics Field School is a three-week program designed to introduce the complete workflow of a geophysical project. In the first week, participants design a geophysical survey of relevance to a mine, water-resource investigation, or an archaeology study. The design of the course includes considerations of cost and safety and is presented in a competitive manner. The weeklong data-collection phase ensures that participants are familiar with operation of all equipment, including gravity, magnetics, DGPS, resistivity, EM31, EM34, and reflection and refraction seismology. Data are processed in the evening, and safety issues are reviewed the following morning. The final week is spent on campus, interpreting and integrating data to form a coherent model of the subsurface. The participants are selected from three cohorts: University of Witwatersrand geophysics students, SEG Foundation and UNESCO-sponsored African participants, and U. S.-sponsored undergraduates attending as part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Instructors include graduate students, resulting in a two-tier training system, as they learn about lecturing, logistics, and field preparation for weeks in advance. The field school has developed a wide-ranging network of geophysical talent throughout Africa, which is starting to seed new field schools.