U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet 2008–3013

March 2008

In Service to the Nation—The Geology Scientist 

Emeritus Program

Printed on recycled paper

Introduction

The Geology Scientist Emeritus Program of the U.S. Geological Survey was established in 1986 as part of the Bureau’s 

Volunteer for Science Program. The purpose of the Scientist 

Emeritus (SE) Program is to help support retired USGS senior 

scientists as they volunteer their expertise, intellect, and creativity in efforts that allow them to remain active in the geoscience 

community, enhance the program activities of the Geology 

Discipline, and serve the public. 

The SE Program is open to all scientists and technical 

experts who have demonstrated leadership qualities and contributed to the goals of the USGS during a productive career. As 

long as the individual applying has been a scientist or technical 

expert, he or she may be considered for the SE Program, regardless of their previous position with the USGS. 

Bradley Scholar Program

In 2007, the Geology Discipline reestablished and 

expanded the Bradley Scholar Program for its USGS Scientists 

Emeriti. This program, in honor of former USGS geologist Bill 

Bradley, provides as much as $5,000 per year for up to 3 years 

for a Scientist Emeritus to conduct new research or to finish 

products that are near completion. In fiscal year 2007 (FY07) 

$100,000 was awarded to 25 SEs; 61 percent of the funds was 

allocated for completing legacy products, and 39 percent was 

for new research. Scientists Emeriti apply for funding, and the 

proposals are evaluated by a panel. The panel makes recommendations to the Associate Director for Geology, who makes the 

final decisions and allocates the money. 

Twenty-five Scientists Emeriti received funds in 2007 for 

scientific endeavors that include completing geologic maps, 

writing general interest publications, studying volcanoes, 

supporting tsunami studies, investigating effects of a meteor 

impact, mineral deposit studies, paleontological studies, and 

laboratory data preservation. See the Scientist Emeritus Web 

site (http://geology.usgs.gov/Emeritus/) for a list of all the Bradley Scholar Program recipients and their projects.

Dallas Peck Award Recipient

William Aubrey Cobban

Bill Cobban first started with the USGS in 1948, and during his career he authored or coauthored more than 300 scientific papers. He is internationally recognized for his outstanding 

work on the marine Cretaceous fossils and rocks of the Western 

Interior of the United States. Bill retired in 1992, but his work 

has continued unabated, and he has produced approximately 50 

publications since he retired. For example, in 2006, he completed the most comprehensive Upper Cretaceous ammonite and 

inoceramid biostratigraphy ever done. In 2006, a symposium on 

the “Paleontology, Geology, and Stratigraphy of the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway” was held in honor of Bill.

Regional Scientist Emeritus Best Publication Award

Winners of this new award, which was established in 2006, 

include David Stewart and Robert Tilling for their contributions 

to the extraordinary map “This Dynamic Planet: World Map of 

Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Craters, and Plate Tectonics” 

(U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Investigations Series Map 

I−2800). This product is the most widely distributed map in 

USGS history. Both Dave and Bob contributed an exceptional 

amount time, effort, and creativity to preparation and production 

of the map. 

Scientist Emeritus, Dave Lindsey, helped a team from Central 

Region Mineral Resources Team study Wind River terrace 

gravel for construction aggregate in April 2005. The photograph 

shows middle Pleistocene gravel in a pit west of Riverton, Wyoming. The study was conducted for the Bureau of Indian Affairs 

and funded by the Bureau of Land Management.
Benefits of the Scientist Emeritus Program

The tangible and intangible benefits to the Geology Discipline and, ultimately, the USGS for this investment are numerous. Each year, approximately 200 Geology retirees continue 

their careers by returning to the organization in a volunteer 

status. These esteemed scientists and technical experts provide 

continued leadership and support to on-going projects, serve on 

outside scientific advisory panels and boards, act as senior advisors on USGS committees, and participate in numerous USGS 

outreach projects. Scientists Emeriti represent the USGS and 

speak at national meetings. They provide technical leadership to 

younger research and operational scientists. Scientists Emeriti 

secure data at risk and review papers on a broad range of topics. 

Numerous hours are spent mentoring junior research scientists 

and responding to inquiries from “Ask-A-Geologist”. From 

2000 to 2006, 74 Scientists Emeriti produced more than 550 

publications (http://geology.usgs.gov/Emeritus/pubs.shtml).

Scientist Emeritus John Reed received in 2006 one of three 

Best Publications Awards for his authorship of the “Geologic 

Map of North America.”

In 2005 and 2006, Geology invested approximately 

$201,000 and $135,000, respectively, for miscellaneous 

expenses incurred by Scientists Emeriti. Scientists Emeriti 

volunteered an estimated 112,250 hours in FY05 and 

122,206 hours in FY06. If these were salaried hours (based on 

a GS−14/5 salary in Denver, Colo.), this would have cost the 

USGS $5,724,750 in FY05 and $6,232,506 in FY06. This is 

a significant cost benefit to the USGS. 

Summary

The USGS Geology Scientist Emeritus Program and the 

reintroduced Bradley Scholar Program have allowed many 

retired USGS senior scientists and technical experts to continue 

to pursue their passion for science. Geology views the Scientist 

Emeritus Program, and all the benefits it provides, as a crown 

jewel of our organization. 

For more information about the Scientist Emeritus Program as well as other award recipients visit our Web site at 

http://geology.usgs.gov/Emeritus/.

Scientist Emeritus John Pojeta, a specialist in Paleozoic 

mollusks, examines fossil slabs.

 

For more information about the award recipients and their 

work, visit our Web site at http://geology.usgs.gov/Emeritus/.