Mimi Garstang to receive Missouri State honorary doctorate

Missouri State University will grant its 25th honorary doctorate to alumna Mimi Garstang. “Mimi is deserving of this doctorate because she is the embodiment of Missouri State’s public affairs mission,” said the selection committee chair. “She has done so much for the field of geology and the state of Missouri.” In 1972, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology from what was then Southwest Missouri State University. In 1978, she joined the Missouri Geological Survey. She rose through the ranks and made history as the first woman to serve as state geologist of Missouri and director of the Missouri Geological Survey in 2000 – a position she held until 2008. Congratulations, Mimi!

- Missouri State

Ed Murphy to complete his time as North Dakota State Geologist

Edward C. Murphy will soon complete his time as Director of the North Dakota Geological Survey, a position he has held since 2004, when he was successor to John  Bluemle. Ed earned his B.S. in 1979 and his M.S. in 1983 in Geology from the University of North Dakota. He has worked as a geologist for the North Dakota Geological Survey for 46 years. Ed grew up in Bismarck as the son of a petroleum geologist. The position has been advertised. Well done, Ed!

Phil Pearthree to complete his time as Arizona State Geologist

Philip A. Pearthree, Ph.D. will retire as Director of the Arizona Geological Survey in July 2026, having held the position since 2016 as successor to Lee Allison. The position has been advertised. Phil received his B.S. at Oberlin College, and M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Arizona. He joined AZGS in 1988 and was chief of the Environmental Geology section for more than a decade. Phil is a Kirk Bryan Award co-winner, and authored or co-authored more than 100 geologic reports and maps in nearly four decades with the Survey. Phil was AASG Treasurer from 2020 to 2023. Well done, Phil!

State Geologist of Louisiana, Greg Upton

Dr. Gregory B. Upton is Acting Director of the Louisiana Geological Survey. Greg’s expertise is in energy and environmental economics, mainly oil and gas markets, and energy transition in Louisiana. Dr. Upton holds a B.S., M.A., and Ph.D., the latter in 2014, in Economics from Louisiana State University. Welcome, Greg!

Utah Geological Survey ROI

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is Utah’s “go-to” source for all geologic resources information. The data we collect has a wide variety of uses across entities ranging from all types of private industry to local, state, and federal government. Our research often forms the basis for important activity that drives the current and future economy of the state. As such, the information and data that we make readily accessible add significant value to the prosperity of the state of Utah, our industry, and our citizens. In this article, we provide insights from recent efforts to assess the value of geological data provided by state geological surveys.

Ohio launches new interactive geology map

The Ohio Geological Survey has launched a refreshed version of the Ohio Geology Interactive Map (OGIM). The update features new search and visualization tools, an improved user interface, and enhanced accessibility considerations. The application serves as the primary platform for public access to geological observations and inferences in the state. Included are well logs, aquifer details, and potentiometric surfaces, as well as earthquake epicenters, seismic stations, coastal erosion, aggregate extent and thickness, and groundwater vulnerability. The update is emblematic of the Survey’s commitment to fully up-to-date public service that is in tune with the needs and capabilities of the late 2020s. Well done!

Richard Berg, 2025 Career Achievement Award

Dick Berg has been honored upon his retirement this year after 50 years of service at the Illinois State Geological Survey. When he was named State Geologist in 2015, he had worked under seven of the 13 ISGS directors who preceded him since the survey’s founding in 1851. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University, a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in soil geomorphology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Berg is a pioneer in 3D geological mapping and groundwater protection. As part of a governor’s task force, he helped develop the State Groundwater Protection Act of 1985. He has since played immense roles on the state, national, and international scene in advancing the essential role that geological mapping plays in addressing the needs of society.