Hydrogeology Professor W. Richard Laton, Ph.D., PG, CHG, CPG, of California State University, Fullerton, has received two major 2014 awards from the National Ground Water Assn. (NGWA).
Laton received the Ross L. Oliver Award for outstanding contributions to the groundwater industry and the Keith E. Anderson Award for outstanding contributions to NGWA. The awards will be presented in December at NGWA’s Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.
An active member and volunteer with NGWA for more than 20 years, Laton has served on NGWA’s Scientists and Engineers Board, the NGWA Board of Directors, the education and conference committees, and the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation. He also has been a speaker at, and leader of, numerous NGWA short courses.
In addition to his work at Cal State Fullerton, Laton’s served on the Western Michigan University Geosciences Advisory Council for a decade and is currently vice chair.
As an educator, Laton is actively involved with training future hydrogeologists, scientists and general education students about the importance of groundwater resources and stewardship.
“Richard is a role model to students and is relentless in his pursuit to engage his students in NGWA activities,” said nominator Brent C. Murray, PG, vice president of Environmental Quality Inc. in Tequesta, Fla. “Richard is ushering in the next generation to NGWA by consistently bringing his students to NGWA conferences and events, and helping others to find the excitement in groundwater that Richard has known for a lifetime.”
Murray called Laton “the epitome of the engaged and contributing NGWA member and volunteer.”
Source: NGWA
