AGS members participated in the 51st Annual Colloquium, held on 7-8 February 2025. A final celebration and awards presentation was coordinated by AGS President Catrina Russell-Dolan, where the various awards and student speaker and poster presenter winners were announced.
Gesner Medal, Distinguished Scientist Award
The Society’s Gesner Medal is made to a person who has developed and promoted the advancement of geoscience in the Atlantic Region in any field of geology. The 2025 medal was awarded to Graham Williams for his contributions to the field of palynology and biostratigraphy in the Atlantic region, as well as his role in founding the AGS and contributions to geoscience outreach.
Photo credit: Howard Donohoe
Laing Ferguson Distinguished Service Award
The Laing Ferguson Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition of exceptional and altruistic contributions to the Atlantic Geoscience Society and/or to foster public appreciation of Atlantic Geoscience over a long period of time. The 2025 award was made to Martha Grantham for her many contributions to AGS and several committees over the years.
Photo credit: Howard Donohoe
Student Speaker and Poster Presenter awards
As always, student talks and posters were an important aspect of the Colloquium, and judges had their work cut to select award winners among the 32 papers and 15 posters prepared by students at all levels from undergraduate to PhD. Winners were:
- Rob Raeside Award, best undergraduate student poster: Abbey Smith, Acadia University
- Rupert MacNeill Award, best undergraduate student paper: Geena Morse, St. Mary’s University
- Graham Williams Award, best graduate student poster: Dylan J. McKeen, Acadia University
- Sandra Barr Award, best graduate student paper: Michael Powell, Dalhousie University
Photo credit: Howard Donohoe
Thanks are expressed to all who participated in the Colloquium, as presenters, organizers or participants, and to the sponsors who helped to defray costs to participants:
