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Winning the James Lee Wilson Medal is more than a tremendous honor for Carl Drummond. It's a reflection of the confidence science has placed in his long-term success, as well as a prediction for his future.
Drummond, associate professor of geology, is the third recipient of the
medal, an award given to a young scientist (35 years of age or younger) in
honor of significant and substantial advances in the understanding of
sedimentary systems. Previous winners include Isabel Montanez of the
University of California at Riverside and Salvatore Critelli of the Italian
National Council of Research. Drummond will receive his award May 19 at
the annual meeting of the Society of Sedimentary Geology and the
American Association of Petroleum Geologists in Salt Lake City.
In his fourth year at IPFW, Drummond feels his particular style of science is well suited to the campus. His research interests focus largely on the more theoretical aspects of the field, and while he does often collect primary data, he explores how the world as a geological system could work, instead of how it does work.
"As such," said Drummond, "I apply a lot of computation simulations to my research and am not dependent upon large amounts of laboratory equipment or resources."
Drummond's start in geology was rather accidental. While in college, he pursued a business degree, but realized he loved the university community too much to spend his life in board rooms. After his first year at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., he realized he had to choose between the two fields that most captured his interest, geology and history.
"For some reason that I am still unclear of, I chose geology," said Drummond. "And as the saying goes, I never looked back." Drummond later earned his bachelor's degree, then enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he earned a master's degree (1991) and a doctoral degree (1994), all in geology. Drummond will receive his award citation from Bruce Wilkinson, his thesis adviser at the University of Michigan.
"I came to IPFW in the fall of 1994," said Drummond. "I had several post doctorate opportunities available to me at the time, but I chose to forgo those experiences in order to have an opportunity to teach and conduct research at an institution focused on undergraduate education."
Although Drummond enjoys a round of golf, he says his real fun comes through work at the university. "In my mind, the world's best job is to be a professor," he said. "I get paid to do the three things I love: talk, write and think, about anything I choose. I couldn't imagine a better situation."
Drummond has published numerous articles and abstracts and has received numerous honors and awards. In addition, he has been awarded five research grants totaling $46,000, including a $10,000 grant from IU and a $25,000 grant from the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society.
Although the James Lee Wilson award is bestowed based upon research success, Drummond believes his calling to the university community is accomplished by combining teaching and research with service.
"I continually strive to improve as an educator, work to achieve academic success through creative and novel research, and offer my time and energy to those aspects of university life to which I can contribute a particular skill or interest," said Drummond. "I am committed to IPFW, and I look forward to a long and successful career in Fort Wayne.
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