Kelly Foss

The Department of Earth Sciences handed out more than $50,000 in scholarships and awards at a ceremony on April 2. Dr. Graham Layne, deputy head of the Earth Sciences department, hosted the event.

As one of the largest and strongest Earth Science departments in Canada, he said each year Memorial produces about eight to 10 per cent of Canada’s professional practicing Earth scientists.

“Not bad for a province with only two per cent of Canada’s population,” said Dr. Layne. “Our students, our (academic) programs and our research programs are broadly recognized worldwide. We are doing well, and aim to do even better.”

“In the spirit of those honoured and commemorated by the awards given today, the Earth Sciences department has been actively working to increase the already substantial amounts of field training in our program,” he added. “We continue to believe that the benefits of field education in training geoscientists are immeasurable and this component is one of the key factors that sets MUN trained geoscientists apart from their peers.”

Dr. Layne said the awards, which were provided by learned societies, industry and friends of the department, recognize the students’ level of achievement and their potential for future successes.

He made a special effort to tell the students of some of the stories of the people behind the named scholarships.

“Named scholarships are particularly significant since they represent a personal commitment to someone’s memory through an endowment and often by a family member or friends.

“Students, as you leave here today, think of the legacy of accomplishments and opportunity that these awards represent,” he said. “The history of the department is your history. As our future successes are in many ways tied to your future successes. We hope you will always consider our department your geological home as we continue to build and grow.”