AIPG South Dakota Section President Derric Iles (left) presents the 2016 J.P. Gries Geologist of the Year
award to Dr. Arden D. Davis (right.)  Award presented March 23, 2016 at AIPG South Dakota Section annual
meeting in Pierre, SD.  Photo taken by Foster Sawyer.

2016 J.P. Gries Geologist of the Year award announced

From: Nomination for the 2016 John Paul Gries “Geologist of the Year” Award

Nominee:       Dr. Arden D. Davis

                     Professor Emeritus of Geological Engineering

                     Department of Geology and Geological Engineering

                     South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Nominated by:   Dr. Christopher J. Pellowski and Dr. J. Foster Sawyer

Dr. Arden D. Davis, Professor Emeritus of Geological Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, has made tremendous contributions to the geology and groundwater hydrology of the State of South Dakota, and he embodies the ideals that are represented by the J. Paul Gries “Geologist of the Year” Award. Dr. Davis received a B.A. degree in geology from the University of Minnesota and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in geological engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T).  He devoted more than 30 years of his life teaching with distinction at SDSM&T, and in so doing he had a major impact on the 60 graduate students who completed advanced degrees under his advisement as well as thousands of students who benefitted from his courses.

Dr. Davis has been a genuine steward in protecting the groundwater resources of South Dakota. As a groundwater hydrologist and geological engineering consultant, Dr. Davis has been engaged in numerous projects involving groundwater contamination, aquifer evaluation, low-level radioactive waste site evaluation, spring-flow measurements and mine site development throughout his esteemed career. Among his many contributions, Dr. Davis worked with the cities of Rapid City, Hill City, and Custer in characterizing and quantifying aquifer vulnerability in these developing areas, ultimately designing a unique approach for quantifying aquifer vulnerability in karst areas such as the Black Hills uplift. Dr. Davis also served as an expert witness regarding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline in South Dakota, and he assisted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a member of a technical advisory team concerning the Gilt Edge Superfund Site. Dr. Davis has also shared his expertise relating to groundwater contamination and remediation at various locations throughout the state of South Dakota, including the Williams Pipeline/Hayward School site in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The 2016 J. Paul Gries “Geologist of the Year” Award honors the memory of Dr. Paul Gries, a renowned geologist who made great strides in understanding the geology of South Dakota. It is extremely fitting that Dr. Arden Davis, who has made so many significant contributions to the geology and groundwater hydrology of South Dakota, and who has labored tirelessly to ensure that the people of South Dakota have clean drinking water now and for future generations, is honored with this prestigious award.

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