Citation: David Lamar Leach SGA - KGHM Krol Medal
SGA-KGHM Krol Medal 2019
To David Lamar Leach
By Georges Beaudoin
President Kelley,
Members of the SGA and delegates to the 15th SGA Biennial Meeting, I am particularly honored to present the 2019 SGA-KGHM KrolMedal as I was President of the Society when the Medal was established, and first presented to Francis Saupé in 2015, in presence of the Krol family.
The medal is named after Gerardus L. Krol, who played a key role in the foundation and development of the Society and was elected its first President. So, it is most appropriate to award this medal in recognition of service to the SGA in the name of one of its founders, and first president.
The SGA-KGHM Krol Medal is minted from three troy ounces of pure silver. The face of the medal shows a portrait of Gerrdus Krol, whereas the reverse shows the logos of the SGA and KGHM.
It is thus my privilege to introduce you the awardee of the 2019 SGA-KGHM Krol Medal, Dr David Lamar Leach. I would like to note that this nomination was supported by the current President, Dr Karen Kelley, and 3 past Presidents, Dr Jorge Relvas, Dr Hartwig Frimmel and Dr Fernando Tornos.
David Leach’s involvement with the SGA started more than 30 years ago as Regional Vice-President North America from 1996 to 2002. In this position he launched the “North American Initiative” for the purpose of increasing the profile of the SGA in North America. During this time SGA booths started appearing in major scientific and industry meetings, such as the PDAC in 1999. From 2003 to 2004, David was Vice-President of the SGA, becoming President in 2005. That period turned the corner of making the SGA a truly international scientific society, largely under the relentless impulsion from David. 1 This included the then risky endeavour of organizing our flagship SGA Biennial Meeting in Beijing.
After rising to the top of the SGA leadership, David continued his service to the society as Treasurer from 2006 until 2011. During this period, the SGA treasury grew to a level where the SGA has financial stability and the capacity to undertake new initiatives and to provide ample support to student activities.
Thus, during the 15 years of his SGA council membership, David was pivotal in the transformation of the SGA into a major, international scientific society, first enlarging from its European roots to America, and then towards Asia. He recognized the need for financial stability, and reached this in order to give the SGA the means to its mission. This was only possible because of the David’s profound attachment to the well-being of the SGA, which continues to this day as he gives his time freely to promote, enthusiastically, the SGA during meetings, short courses and other scientific activities. I, for one, was enrolled into SGA Council at the urging of the David, like many others I should say. For many years I had the privilege of witnessing David’s dedication to the advancement of the SGA, still ongoing to this day.
There are, therefore no better candidate for our prestigious SGA-KGHM Krol Medal than Dr David Leach. Please, welcome with me the awardee, Dr David Leach.
Letter of acceptance by D. Leach
Thank you, George, for your most kind introduction.
President Kelley, SGA Council and members. I am deeply honored to receive the important SGA-KGHM Krol Medal. It is a great disappointment I cannot be here to personally thank the SGA Council for this award and to thank all of you for your participation in the SGA Biennial meeting. SGA has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my professional life. I have immensely enjoyed working with many personal friends, research associates and students who serve SGA and the geological community. I was most fortunate to be a Council member at an exciting point in SGA’s progression from a mainly European-based professional organization to a strong and robust international society. A most gratifying experience for me was seeing the large growth in student participation in the Society and the Biennial meetings. This was also a period that the first corporate funding initiative provided support for students to attend the conference and to present their research.
The SGA KGHM Krol Medal is about serving and giving to the Society, and therefore, it reflects on the complete team, the council, editors, student leaders and technical volunteers who worked together to create a brighter future for SGA. I cannot mention all of the people who worked with me and were instrumental in SGA ‘s growth, but here are some that I especially want to thank. I am forever indebted to Jan Pasava for his dedication, wisdom and stewardship of the SGA Council – he continues to be the rock of our Society. Anna Vymazalova nurtured and guided the early growth of student participation, and my tenure as Treasurer was made easier by Sabine Lange and Peter Herzig. Others include Rich Goldfarb, Georges Beaudoin and Jorge Relvas who were instrumental in building corporate support for student activities.
We can take so much pride in SGA’s accomplishments. However, the future of our Society, the growth of our student members and our prestigious journal depends on each of us to look forward and search for how we can further contribute to SGA’s journey and to the science of ore deposits. The SGA-KGHM Krol Medal means so much to me, coming from this Society and these members, who have been such an important part of my life.
Thank you!