What is the “Heron Lifetime Achievement Award”?
The Stephen Duncan Heron Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and promotes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Geology of North or South Carolina over a sustained period of time.
This individual has gone above and beyond in donating their time, as well as demonstrating and sharing their passion for the science of geology. This individual has positively affected, in a permanent nature, the distribution and knowledge of the geology of the Carolinas.
NOTE: The award is not given annually, but only when a suitable nomination is made. Eligibility Requirements
Award Recipients
2024 – James “Jim” P. Hibbard
(Presented in 2025)
North Carolina State University-Raleigh, emeritus
Jim is a Lifetime Member of CGS since 1989 and has served on the Board of Directors on two separate rotations. He led two CGS trips – one in 2013 and the other in 2017. He is the author or co-author of over 60 peer-reviewed journal papers and 23 field trip guidebook papers with many covering the geology of the Carolinas. He is the author of the 2006 Lithotechtonic map of the Appalachian Orogen – an important work that presented the modern understanding of the entire 1000-mile-long Appalachian Mountains chain.
2019 – Donald “Don” T. Secor, Jr.
Univ. of South Carolina-Columbia, emeritus
Don first served as CGS board president in 1965 and again in 1985. He led his first CGS field trip in 1968 and led trips in 1978, 1987, 1998, and 2015. His mapping work in the South Carolina Piedmont helped establish the stratigraphy of the Carolina terrane that has led to a modern understanding of the Alleghanian orogen in the Appalachian hinterland. In addition, his and his students’ mapping efforts led to direct fossil evidence that the Carolina terrane is exotic to North America.
2018 – Robert “Bob” D. Hatcher
University of Tennessee-Knoxville, emeritus
Bob has been and remains a custodian for the history of geologic thought for the southern Appalachians. Bob’s career contributions to the understanding of the geology of the Carolinas and southern Appalachians is impressive and nearly unparalleled. Bob has lead more CGS trips than any other leader with six trips under his belt. He has been an active member since 1966 and missed very few meetings.
2015 – Dr. Stephen D. “Heron”
Duke University, emeritus
Dr. Heron is the namesake for the CGS Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Heron was the second Secretary-Treasurer of the Society, serving in this position 43 years from 1966-2009. He is credited as being a stable steward of the Society through many changes in the profession over the decades. He is also the longest continuously active member of CGS, having joined the Society in 1951.
Learn more about Dr. Heron’s Achievements