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November 23, 2004
DRI president elected vice president and councilor of The Geological Society of America
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RENO, Nev. -- DRI President Dr. Stephen G. Wells has been elected vice president and councilor of The Geological Society of America, a broad unifying scientific society that fosters the human quest for understanding Earth, plants and life. GSA has more than 16,000 members in more than 85 countries. Wells has been a member for almost 33 years and his service to GSA includes chairing several committees, co-convening a GSA conference and serving on the editorial board of various GSA publications.
"GSA is one of the premier science organizations in the world and Dr. Wells' appointment as vice president is further indication of how well respected he and DRI are in the scientific community," said Dr. Stavros Anthony, chair of the University and Community College System of Nevada Board of Regents.
Established in 1888, The Geological Society of America is known as a catalyst for new scientific ways of thinking about natural systems and an organization dedicated to the advancement of geosciences. The society's primary activities include organizing scientific meetings and conferences, publishing scientific literature, disbursing research grants and honoring outstanding scientific contributions.
As vice president and councilor, Wells plays an active role in executive and council meetings, recommends members to serve on the executive committee, is a member on several committees within GSA and is master of ceremonies at the annual meeting awards ceremony.
"I believe the GSA is an important organization for the geoscience field and its members. I stand behind the goals of the GSA, which include enhancing professional growth of its members, encouraging communication of geoscience knowledge and promoting the integration of geoscience into affiliated sciences, such as ecology," Wells said. "It will be fulfilling to work with the membership and broader community in my new role as vice president to support and advance the goals of the society."
"I am very pleased to see individuals of Dr. Wells’ caliber elected to leadership positions at the Geological Society of America," GSA Executive Director John Hess said. "This will be the second time in my career that Steve will be my boss. I am looking forward to working with him over the next several years."
A nonprofit, statewide division of the University and Community College System of Nevada, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale. Nearly 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct some 150 research projects at DRI annually. More than 85 percent of DRI's annual $33 million operating budget consists of research grants and contracts obtained by its scientists. The balance is received from the state of Nevada for administrative costs.