"I have been most fortunate in my professional career. For 13 years I had administrative responsibility for applied geochemistry in the GSC at a time when the GSC as a whole was at its peak of influence and support. Following this I was a part-time prof for 16 years at the University of Ottawa in a department where academic politics was absent, because individual members of faculty genuinely liked each other. Most recently I have been involved with the mining industry as a consultant and as a researcher; roles that have been as rewarding as the best of my previous experiences. The common link between all these periods is my association as an active member of the AEG. It is perhaps best to be part of a society of moderate size, because one can develop a camaraderie with all of the other active members. That is the best award of all."

"Ian was completely surprised and absolutely delighted to hear in August that he had been awarded Honorary Membership in the AAG. He is extremely appreciative and very proud to have received this honour. Ian had been very much looking forward to attending the Symposium to meet former students and to get an update on recent activities, but regrettably his doctor advised him that such a trip would be unwise. On that basis, he asked me to say a few words on his behalf in response to the award regarding his activities in exploration geochemistry.

Ian had the good fortune to serve his apprenticeship in geochemical exploration at Imperial College with John Webb and Co. from 1961-1969. And he felt privileged to present an Honorary Membership to Professor John Webb in 1974, when he was President of the AEG. At Imperial College, Ian was involved in the supervision of geochemical research programmes in Sierra Leone, Zambia, Ireland and the U.K.

Then in the late 1960s, interest was expressed for more applied geological research being undertaken at Canadian universities. So in 1969, Queen’s University appointed Ian to initiate research activities in exploration geochemistry at Queen’s.

Over the period 1969-1997 graduate students at Queen’s undertook research on a broad range of exploration geochemistry projects, mostly in Canada but also in Chile, China, Thailand and the U.S., largely sponsored financially by the private sector and government agencies. Ian attributes the overall success of the programme to active technical communication and feedback from the private sector representatives, the Geological Survey of Canada and the Ontario Geological Survey.

Ian also wishes to acknowledge the critical analytical input by Bob Foster at Queen’s and the services of various analytical companies to supporting the research activities of his students.

Most of all, and Ian was very adamant about this, he wishes to acknowledge the contribution of his many students to the field of exploration geochemistry. He feels that the subsequent career achievements of such graduates in the private sector, government surveys and universities indicates the significance of the Imperial College and Queen’s programmes in exploration geochemistry.

And lastly, Ian wanted me to point out that the programme in exploration geochemistry at Queen’s continues under the direction of Kurt Kyser, now largely based on stable isotope analyses. The current programme has met with significant success in assisting exploration globally. Kurt is here at this meeting with some of his graduate students giving oral and poster presentations.

So, on behalf of Ian, I thank the AAG very much for awarding him this Honorary Membership. It truly means a lot to him."