Tony Meunier Awarded Eastern Section 2017 Digman Award
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