Letter from the President

Houston Geological Society
June 2026

Honor, Gratitude and Optimism for the Future

Dear HGS Members,

As I conclude my term as President of the Houston Geological Society, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on what an honor it has been to serve this remarkable organization and the broader geoscience community. Leading HGS has been both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented, dedicated, and passionate individuals.

One of the things that makes HGS truly special is the strength of its volunteers. Behind every technical luncheon, field trip, scholarship program, outreach event, networking opportunity, and community initiative is a group of people generously giving their time and energy because they believe in the value of our profession and our Society. Our committees are the engine that keeps HGS moving forward, and I want to sincerely thank every volunteer who contributed this year. Your commitment continues to make HGS one of the most respected geological societies in the country.

This year, our committee chairs and volunteers delivered an exceptional lineup of social events that were not only well attended, but also financially successful for the Society. Events such as the Crawfish Boil, Golf Tournament, Clay shoot, and numerous networking gatherings helped strengthen the sense of community that makes HGS so valuable to our members. These events require tremendous planning, coordination, and volunteer support, and I want to recognize the dedicated efforts of everyone involved in making them such a success.

I am also especially proud of the continued growth and impact of our Student Expo. The program has become an important opportunity for students and early-career professionals preparing to enter the job market, providing valuable networking, industry exposure, and direct engagement with experienced geoscientists and employers. Supporting the next generation of geoscientists remains one of the most important investments we can make as an organization.

Our commitment to outreach and education also remained strong this year through our continued collaboration with the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. These partnerships help introduce students and the broader community to the excitement and importance of geoscience while reinforcing the role HGS can play in inspiring future scientists and industry leaders.

This year also demonstrated the value of collaboration across our professional community. Our partnership with the Geophysical Society of Houston on Case Studies Seminar II shared initiatives that strengthened technical engagement across disciplines. In addition, I am excited about the inclusion of our new special interest group for Geoscience Modelers, which reflects both the evolving technical landscape of our profession and HGS’s commitment to creating opportunities for new professional communities within the Society.

I would also like to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our Board of Directors. Serving on the HGS Board requires countless hours of collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership—often behind the scenes and outside of already demanding professional and personal commitments. This year’s Board approached every challenge and opportunity with professionalism, creativity, and a genuine desire to strengthen our organization for the future.

Over the past year, we also worked hard to listen to member feedback and adapt where we could. One example was our effort to offer technical meetings in locations that better supported the commutes and schedules of our members across the Houston area. As our city and industry continue to evolve, it is important that HGS evolves as well—finding ways to make participation more accessible while continuing to deliver the high-quality technical programming our members value.

I want to extend a special thank you to the board members rotating off this year for their tireless service and leadership: Catherine Strong, Director; Lauren Robinson, Director; Lucia Torrado, Editor; Caroline Wachtman, Vice-President; Angela Hammond, Treasurer; and Bryan Bottoms, Secretary. Each of you has contributed significantly to the success and momentum of HGS. Your hard work, dedication, and willingness to step forward and lead have helped position the Society for continued success, and HGS is stronger because of your service.

As I look ahead, I remain incredibly optimistic about the future of both HGS and the geoscience profession. Our industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by new technologies, new ideas, and new challenges. Yet what continues to stand out to me most is the enduring creativity, curiosity, and resilience of geoscientists. I see that spirit throughout HGS—in our experienced professionals, our volunteers, our students, and our young professionals who are beginning to shape the next chapter of our industry.

The future of HGS is bright because we continue to invest in technical excellence, student engagement, professional development, outreach, and community. We continue to adapt while staying grounded in the collaborative spirit that has defined this Society for generations. Most importantly, we continue to bring people together around a shared passion for geoscience.

Thank you again for the privilege of serving as your President. It has truly been an honor. I look forward to remaining involved with HGS and watching the Society continue to grow, evolve, and thrive in the years ahead.

Best regards,

Patty Walker
President
Houston Geological Society