Honors & Awards
Recognizing extraordinary philanthropy, service, and leadership in the geoscience community.
Recognizing Excellence in Geoscience
Each year, the AAPG Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations whose extraordinary philanthropy, service, and leadership have advanced the geosciences and strengthened the Foundation's ability to fulfill its mission.
Awards span Foundation honors for donors and volunteers, as well as educator recognition awards celebrating outstanding teachers at the K-12 and university levels.
Awards & Honors
Select an award to learn more.
L. Austin Weeks Memorial Medal
The Foundation's highest honor, established in 2008. Recognizes extraordinary philanthropy and service directed to advance the mission of the AAPG Foundation. Recipients must be living at the time of selection.
Past Recipients
| 2025 | Larry L. Jones |
| 2024 | Michael C. Forrest |
| 2023 | M. Ray Thomasson |
| 2022 | James A. Gibbs |
| 2021 | Jerome N. Namy |
| 2020 | Lee B. Backsen |
| 2019 | John F. Bookout, Jr. |
| 2018 | John J. Amoruso |
| 2017 | Paul M. Strunk |
| 2016 | William E. Gipson |
| 2015 | David Worthington |
| 2014 | James A. Hartman |
| 2013 | Robert (Bob) Gunn |
| 2012 | William J. Barrett |
| 2011 | Jack C. Threet |
| 2010 | Larry Funkhouser |
| 2009 | T. Boone Pickens |
| 2008 | Marta Weeks |
Chairman's Award
Honors those making extraordinary contributions — monetary or through service — to the AAPG Foundation. May be awarded posthumously or to living recipients. Presented at Trustee Associate meetings or the annual convention's Chairman's Reception.
Past Recipients
| 2025 | David Curtiss |
| 2024 | Robert J. Ardell |
| 2023 | Larry L. Jones |
| 2022 | Richard D. Fritz |
| 2021 | Stewart Chuber |
| 2020 | M. Ray Thomasson |
| 2019 | John H. Silcox |
| 2018 | Paul H. Dudley, Jr. |
| 2017 | Frank Harrison, Jr. |
| 2016 | Donald A. O'Nesky |
| 2015 | William L. Fisher |
| 2014 | Charles Weiner |
| 2013 | Richard Baile |
| 2012 | Herbert G. Davis |
| 2011 | William E. "Bill" Crain |
| 2010 | David "Scotty" Holland |
| 2009 | John W. Shelton |
| 2008 | Jack C. Threet |
| 2007 | Eugene F. Reid |
| 2006 | Robert W. Esser |
| 2005 | Fred A. Dix, Jr. |
| 2004 | Lawrence W. Funkhouser |
| 2003 | Hugh Looney |
| 2002 | Merrill W. Haas |
| 2001 | James E. Wilson |
| 2000 | L. Austin Weeks |
| 1999 | Michel T. Halbouty |
Trustee Associates Service Award
Recognizes individuals or corporations for distinguished, long-term service through Trustee Associates participation. Recipients must be living and willing to attend the Trustee Associates Annual Meeting to accept the award.
Past Recipients
| 2025 | Rebecca Dodge |
| 2024 | Kay Pitts |
| 2017 | Robert W. Esser |
| 2016 | Richard A. Baile |
| 2015 | Paul Strunk |
| 2014 | Bob Ardell & Michael Wisda |
| 2013 | Ken Masters |
| 2012 | Jack Martin |
Michel T. Halbouty Fellowship
Funded through an endowment from the Foundation's founder, Michel T. Halbouty. Supports graduate students at Texas A&M University pursuing degrees in geology, geophysics, or the geosciences.
Inspirational Geoscience Educator Award
Award: $6,000
Honors college and university professors demonstrating outstanding leadership in geoscience education, inspiring students to love the science and motivating them to pursue geological careers. Presented at the AAPG Annual Convention's Chairman's Reception.
Learn more →Teacher of the Year Award
Award: $6,000
Recognizes a U.S. K-12 teacher for outstanding leadership in geoscience education. The award is split: $3,000 for school educational use and $3,000 for the teacher's personal use. Presented at the AAPG Annual Convention.
Learn more →