EPS Alumni and Friends Reconnect at GSA 2025 in San Antonio
The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) brought together alumni, faculty, students, and friends for a festive evening during the Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, on October 20, 2025. The reception drew more than 70 attendees — from emeritus faculty to current graduate students — for an event that felt “almost like a family reunion.”
The evening featured a vibrant mix of the EPS community, including Professors Steve Graham, Erik Sperling, Andrew Leslie, and Elizabeth Miller, along with numerous postdocs, students, and alumni representing several generations of the department’s history. The atmosphere was warm and collegial, with conversations that seamlessly bridged age groups and career stages.
“In addition to old friends reuniting, I saw many cross-generational introductions that led to genuine conversations about future collaborations,” said Jonathan Payne, EPS Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at SDSS. “Beyond being a lot of fun and a chance to share updates on the department and the school, I’m confident that some great new science will come out of this gathering. It was also a wonderful reminder of how valuable in-person connection is — even in a world where we can text, call, or Zoom at any time. There’s still something special about sharing ideas over good food and drinks that no other medium can replicate.”
The evening also celebrated several major accomplishments within the EPS community:
- Steve Graham, EPS Professor, received the 2025 Twenhofel Medal, one of SEPM’s highest honors recognizing excellence in sedimentary geology.
- Alan Carroll, EPS alumnus, was awarded the Pettijohn Medal from SEPM for his outstanding contributions to sedimentology and stratigraphy.
- Amy Weislogel, EPS alumna, was named a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.
Anita Grunder, EPS alumna, received the 2025 Distinguished Geologic Career Award from GSA’s MGPV Division.
Anita Grunder (center), advised at Stanford by Gail Mahood, with two of her 4 nominators- Stanford alumna Wendy Bohrson (left) and Shan de Silva (right) Guests enjoyed local Texas flavors and prickly pear margaritas while catching up on department news — including updates on the new Doerr School of Sustainability building, the EPS collections, and other ongoing initiatives.
“As a department, we’re committed to strengthening our alumni network,” Payne added. “Events like this remind us that our community is our greatest resource — one that spans decades and continues to inspire future generations of scientists.”
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