SOCORRO, N.M. – The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (a research division of New Mexico Tech) announces that the 2018 Earth Science Achievement Award for “outstanding contributions advancing the role of earth science in areas of applied science and education” will go to Dr. Greg Mack. 

The presentation will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 13 in the auditorium of Macey Center, on the New Mexico Tech campus. The award will be presented as part of the New Mexico Geological Society Spring meeting. 

Created in 2003, this award honors those often-unrecognized champions of earth science issues vital to the future of New Mexico. Dr. Greg Mack, during his 32-year career as a geology professor at New Mexico State University, has contributed greatly to the science of geology in New Mexico through research, teaching, leadership, and service.

During Mack’s tenure at NMSU, his contributions to New Mexico geoscience were wide and varied.  He spearheaded one of the New Mexico Geological Society’s best-selling books, “Geology of New Mexico”, which is a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge of a wide range of geoscience topics, each chapter written by experts in the field.  Mack has also published more than 120 papers in international, national, and regional journals, many based on his thorough and insightful field observations.  His papers, which typically have a regional focus, provide scientific insights applicable to geoscience problems throughout the world. 

In addition to being a strong field geologist and researcher, Mack also excels in the field of geoscience education.  He is generous with constructive advice, and provides his students with rigorous training in field methods as well as classroom education.  He has directed over 40 thesis projects, many of which have been published.  He received the NMSU “Donald C. Roush Excellence in Teaching” award in 1989.

Mack has also led New Mexico Geological Society three-day field trips in the Las Cruces area in 1988, 1998, and 2008.  These trips typically have included his students in a number of capacities, instilling in them the admirable field trip philosophy of “more rocks, less talk.” Since his retirement from NMSU in 2016, he continues to be strongly involved in New Mexico geoscience, and is leading another society field trip in 2018. He also has a book “The Permian of the Southwest” in preparation to be published by the New Mexico Geological Society.