Lamont Weekly Report – May 12, 2006

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
P.O. Box 1000, 61 Route 9W Palisades, New York 10964

<> REPORT SUMMARY <>

- Letter from the Director

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<>LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

One hundred years ago today, May 12th 1906 in Lockney Texas, the
fourth child of Floyd Ewing and Hope Hamilton, William Maurice Ewing,
was born. Of course he never used the name William, and everyone
around here called him "Doc." As founding Director of the Lamont
Geological Observatory in 1949 he became one of the most important
and influential earth scientists of the modern era. (For an excellent
biography of Ewing, go to: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/
Winter2001/ewing.html.)

I am never so arrogant as to believe that I can ever fill his
shoes, but I am flattered beyond description by AGU's decision to
award me this year's Ewing Medal. Thank you everyone for the host of
congratulatory comments that I have been receiving the last day or so
- much appreciated.

On the subject of medals and honors I am very pleased to publicly
congratulate Robin Bell who will receive on May 28th an Honorary
Doctor of Science degree from Middlebury - a great achievement. She
will share the stage this year with Senator Jeffords of Vermont, and
join previous awardees like Dava Sobel (author of the extraordinary
books Gallileo's Daughter and Longitude). Congratulations Robin.

I got back from the UK yesterday. The memorial service for Sir
Nicholas Shackleton in Cambridge last Saturday was very well done -
if there is anything the English are good at (besides making meat
pies), it is ceremony! At the service, Harry Elderfield was the first
to give tribute to Nick's accomplishments, and I was pleased to hear
Harry say that the only one of Nicks innumerable awards that he would
mention, because it was so special to Nick, was the Vetlesen medal
(that we awarded him a couple of years ago.) Harry emphasized what an
important part Lamont had played in Nick's career - it was good to
hear that, (especially so since he did not realize that I was in the
congregation, and was quite surprised when later I thanked him for
his kind words).

But nevertheless an important highlight of the trip was the meat
pies (with beer naturally) - I just do not know how they get the
pastry that way - maybe it is something to do with the constant high
humidity (i.e. rain).

Glad to be back, and happy to see spring so far along,

Have a great weekend,



- Mike



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