Recognizing amazing Earth science educators with 2016 NAGT-Eastern Section Awards

2017 NAGT Eastern Section award winners by Steve Lindberg University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

EASTERN SECTION 2017 DIGMAN AWARD

The Digman Award was established to recognize a non-teacher that brings Geoscience experiences and instruction to the general public. This year the Digman Award was presented to an individual who’s efforts over the past 6 decades qualify him to not only be recognized for his contributions, but perhaps as a lifelong achievement award for continuous support for science education. Tony’s first participation in NAGT meetings began in the late 1960’s as a Geology and Geography student while at SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Geneseo, N.Y. In the 1970’s, while a graduate student at SUNY Brockport, he studied under the tutelage of some legendary NAGT members including Dick Liebe, Bob Cassie, Ira Geer, Bob Adams, John Hubbard and Victor Schmidt. While at Brockport, Tony began a real association with NAGT on a regular basis.

In May 1972 Tony began his professional career with the USGS, first as a Cartographer and then as a Physical Scientist retiring in 2010 to become a USGS Emeritus Senior Scientist. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s while with the USGS Earth Science Application Office he ran a very successful Educational Outreach program coined Quantum Leap. Quantum Leap developed programs in coordination with the larger than life NAGT legend James O’Connor to stress Earth Science Education in elementary, middle and high school curriculum. A traveling exhibit was designed and funded through Tony’s program that also included the wide distribution of free educational pamphlets at NAGT

From Lindberg, Stephen, 2017, Recognizing amazing Earth science educators with 2016 NAGT-Eastern Section Awards in National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Eastern Section Bulletin, edited by Callan Bentley: Norther Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA, v.67, #2 Summer 2017, p.16. Summer 2017 NAGT-ES Bulletin CB.pdf

The Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a week long celebration held annually in Monterey, California. It is the largest gathering of historic road-racing vehicles in North America and regarded as one of the largest and most prestigious motorsports events in the world. Races are a central part with over 500 national and international drivers competing this year at the Laguna Seca racetrack. Awards are given for outstanding vehicles and for each of the 15 race groups, but the overall recognition for excelling (“the Overall Winner” according to the engraving) is the Spirit of Monterey Award won by Dr. Lee Talbot, “accomplished racer and scholar in the field of environmental science from McLean, VA.”

The event’s press release follows below:

Talbot, Others Receive Special Honors at Successful Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

60th anniversary of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca celebrated during spectacular weekend

MONTEREY, Calif., August 22, 2017 — Automotive and motorsports enthusiasts from around the globe flocked to the scenic Monterey Peninsula to see some of the most historically prominent automobiles in the world gathered for Monterey Classic Car Week. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is the only event during the week where vintage race cars do what they were originally designed to do – race!

Monterey Classic Car Week officially kicked off on Friday, August 11, when 27 vintage race cars drove from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to Alvarado Street in Downtown Monterey for a full and festive celebration. That weekend’s Monterey Pre-Reunion attracted over 300 participants over two days, and the extravaganza that is the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion lived up to its sterling reputation as the largest gathering of historic road-racing vehicles in North America with over 500 such classic racing machines on August 17-20

The final day of racing that decided Rolex Race winners in the seven B run groups concluded with a special ceremony that crowned several award winners including one participant who earned The Spirit of Monterey Award with a specially-engraved Rolex stainless steel 18k Gold Daytona Cosmograph and a portrait of the race-winning Ferrari from the 1957 event by artist Bill Patterson. The award, given to the driver or entrant who excels in the spirit of the weekend, was fittingly given to a driver that had participated in the first event at the iconic track in 1957 during a Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion that celebrates the 60th anniversary of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Dr. Lee Talbot, Ph.D, was bestowed with the honor. Competing in his 1967 Ginetta G4 sports car at age 87 with the same spry enthusiasm he had for motorsports six decades earlier, the accomplished racer and scholar in the field of environmental science from McLean, Va., demonstrated the passion, prestige, and history that was tangible throughout the paddock and marketplace throughout an outstanding event.

“What a wonderful weekend of spirited racing,” said Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s Gill Campbell. “Congratulations to Dr. Talbot and all of the race and award winners. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the participants who brought their fabulous cars, the Formula Junior groups, the Governing Committee, HMSA, SCCA, SCRAMP, the entire staff of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, our hard-working volunteers, our incredible fans, and the support from these companies: Rolex, Mazda, Michelin, WeatherTech, Mothers Polish, and Bonhams. We appreciate all the efforts that go into making this such a special event, and we are already planning for next year.”