About The AAPG Foundation
The AAPG Foundation was established in 1967 with the mission of providing a source of funding for educational, charitable and scientific objectives, which directly and indirectly benefit the geologic profession and the general public. Priorities include education and the recognition of educators, public outreach, knowledge preservation, dissemination of information and identifying and supporting emerging opportunities. Learn more about AAPG Foundation Priorities.
Members of the Corporation
The Corporation was formed in 1986 to establish a permanent entity to conduct educational, charitable and scientific activities related to or allied with the field of geology and for additional purposes as stated in the bylaws. In summary, the purposes include making contributions to organizations that support the Foundation’s objectives, to conduct research, disseminate information, assist in career guidance, assist schools, and provide scholarships, awards, fellowships and other kinds of support and activities to further education and knowledge in the field of geology and related fields.
There are approximately twenty regular members, six Trustee members and five Trustee Emeritus Members. Meetings are held annually and members are kept abreast of Foundation activities. The business of the corporation is managed by the Trustees.
History of the Foundation – Birth to 2011
Board of Trustees
The current Board of Trustees consists of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and two additional members empowered to formulate rules, regulations, and practices relative to the Foundation's day-to-day business.
William L. Fisher, Chair, B.S. 1954, D.Sc. (Hon.) 1986, Southern Illinois University, M.S. 1958, Ph.D. 1961, University of Kansas, D.Engineering 2001, Colorado School of Mines, AAPG member 1964, Foundation Trustee Associate 1993, Member of the Corporation 1996, Board Trustee 2001, and Chair 2006.
John J. Amoruso, Vice Chair, B.S. 1952 Tufts College, M.S. 1957, University of Michigan, AAPG member 1958. Foundation Trustee Associate 1984, Member of the Corporation 1986, Board Trustee 1986, and Vice Chair 1999.
James A. Gibbs, Secretary, B.S. 1957, M.S. 1961, University of Oklahoma, AAPG member 1957, Foundation Trustee Associate 1979, Member of the Corporation 1996, Board Trustee 1999, and Secretary 2004.
William E. Gipson, Treasurer, B.A. 1948, M.A. 1949, University of Texas, AAPG member 1949, Foundation Trustee Associate 1977, Member of the Corporation 1996, Board Trustee 2006, and Treasurer 2007. 
Paul M. Strunk, B.S. Geology 1956, M.S. Geology 1958, Kansas State University, President, American Shoreline, Inc. AAPG member since 1959, AAPG Certificate of Merit 1991 and 1992, Distinguished Service Award 1993. Foundation Trustee Associate 1994, AAPG Honorary member since 1999, Member of the Corporation 2000, Board Trustee 2011. 
M. Ray Thomasson, B.A. 1956, M.A. 1953, University of Missouri, Ph.D. 1959, University of Wisconsin, Thomasson Partner Associates, Inc. AAPG member since 1959, Distinguished Service Award 1995. Foundation Trustee Associate 1995, AAPG Honorary member since 2003, Member of the Corporation 2006, DPA Heritage Award 2008, Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award 2009, AAPG Certificate of Merit 2010, Board Trustee 2011. 
Legacy Society
The Foundation's Legacy Society was established in 2008 by the Board of Trustees to honor and recognize donors who have advised the Foundation of their creation of a legacy gift to the Foundation through their estate plans.
Learn more about Estate Planning.
If you are committed to supporting the Foundation's mission through a bequest or other planned gift, click here to request details to join the AAPG Foundation Legacy Society. Names of Legacy Society members are published in the AAPG Foundation Annual Report and distributed to members.
AAPG Foundation • P.O. Box 979 • Tulsa, OK 74101-0979 USA
Toll-Free: +1-855-302-2743 (US and Canada) • Direct Phone: +1- 918-560-2644 • FAX: +1-918-560-2642
Foundation Staff
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