President’s Letter – December 2025
December is upon us and a time of holiday gatherings with family, friends, and work colleagues. A season that is equally happy and hectic as we fill the calendar with activities and experience the joy of giving to others. For me personally, this is also a time of reflection and gratitude.
The Gift of Giving Time
As we begin another month of scientific exchange, professional growth, and community engagement, I want to pause and reflect on something fundamental to the success of our Society: the extraordinary spirit of volunteerism that drives HGS forward.
Our organization has always been built on the dedication of individuals who give their time, their talent, and their energy—not because they have extra hours in their day, but because they believe in our mission. They believe in fostering technical excellence. They believe in the value of professional community. They believe in supporting the next generation of geoscientists. And they believe in something that is increasingly rare: contributing for the sake of collective progress.
To every volunteer who organizes a technical meeting, leads a committee, mentors a student, coordinates outreach efforts, reviews abstracts, manages logistics, or simply raises a hand when help is needed—thank you. Your work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is visible everywhere. You are the reason our events run smoothly, our publications remain strong, and our Society continues to thrive.
I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to those who contribute through donations and sponsorships. Your generosity allows us to fund scholarships, support student chapters, strengthen our educational programs, and uphold the high technical standards that make HGS such a respected organization. Your financial support is not just a gift—it is an investment in the future of our profession.
Whether you give your time, share your expertise, or provide financial support, you are part of what makes HGS exceptional. This Society is more than an association—it is a community built on shared values, curiosity, and service. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
As we move forward towards a new year, I encourage each of you to stay involved, stay engaged, and stay connected. Your contributions—large and small—shape who we are and what we can accomplish together.
Upcoming Events
Please join us on Monday, December 8th for the HGS General Dinner. Our speaker will be Clark Osterlund, Industry Outlook Advisor for ExxonMobil. He will be discussing ExxonMobil's view on the Global Energy Outlook.
On December 16th, HGS will be hosting our Fourth Annual Holiday Party at Cadillac Bar from 5:30 to 8:30. Come join us for some holiday merriment! Details and registration are at the HGS website.
On Wednesday, December 17th, HGS will offer a Zoom based lunch talk. Dr. Rene Jonk will be discussing "Petroleum Geology as a Science and Industry - Past, Present, Future". Details and registration are at the HGS Website.
Registration is now open for the Case Studies Seminar II to be held January 15, 2026. Case Studies Seminar is a one-day conference featuring real-life field studies, geology, and geophysical overviews presented by geoscientists with detailed working knowledge of drilling success and failure. This event is co-hosted by the Houston Geological Society and Geophysical Society of Houston.
It is an honor to serve as your President, and I look forward to seeing you at our next event.
Warm regards,
Patty Walker
President, Houston Geological Society